> by virtue of the fact that they are a non-contact seal, they likely do not
> wear out.
How worn do your main bearings have to be before it becomes a contact seal ?
> since there is no real adjustment latitude,
Not true, the holes in the factory seal are substantially larger than the bolts
that go through them. There is at least .030" worth of movement each way on the
bolts. Perhaps new seals are drilled smaller, I wouldn't know about that.
> All that oil migrates to the bottom of the bell housing and blames the leaks
> on that poor alloy seal.
Certainly can happen. But I remain convinced that a substantial portion of my
oil leaks are from the rear seal. I can wash the engine thoroughly, then take
just a short run, and see/feel the oil running down from the rear seal while the
surrounding area is dry.
Of course the fact I was running a block from 1956 with the original seal still
in it after who knows how many bearing changes, etc. might possibly have
something to do with it.
Sure, pulling negative pressure in the crankcase will help the oil stay inside
... that's no proof the seal is good or bad.
Pry tell, how do you pull a vacuum on the crankcase with no manifold vacuum ?
Or do you race with the throttles closed ?
<G>
Randall
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