Recommended Rear Main Seal for 1957 283

[David C.]

I know there is some information in the Archives on this but I am wondering if anything new has been developed as I am in the process of a major rebuild and would like to put in the best available.
From what I can gather, the Felpro #FP2912 Flouroelastomer is the best but I don't know if it will fit a 1957!

Any Suggestions??

Thanks

Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: Recommended Rear Main Seal for 1957 283

I know there is some information in the Archives on this but I am wondering if anything new has been developed as I am in the process of a major rebuild and would like to put in the best available.
From what I can gather, the Felpro #FP2912 Flouroelastomer is the best but I don't know if it will fit a 1957!

Any Suggestions??

Thanks

Dave

Dave-----


It won't. 1957 originally used a "rope type" seal and the 2912 is for engines originally equipped with a neoprene, 2-piece seal (i.e. 59 and later).

However, there is a conversion, neoprene-type seal available for "rope seal" type engines. Paragon carries them as I'm sure others.

[John H.]

Re: Recommended Rear Main Seal for 1957 283

I know there is some information in the Archives on this but I am wondering if anything new has been developed as I am in the process of a major rebuild and would like to put in the best available.
From what I can gather, the Felpro #FP2912 Flouroelastomer is the best but I don't know if it will fit a 1957!

Any Suggestions??

Thanks

Dave

Dave -

Your '57 283 takes a "rope" seal, not the typical 2-piece lip seal used on later 283's. There's an "improved" wire-reinforced lip seal that's a direct replacement for the original "rope" seal - Paragon has them, Gary Pronesti (Pronesti Classics) has them, and I think there's also a Fel-Pro version, but I don't have that number. I got several from Paragon about 12 years ago.

[David C.]

Re: Recommended Rear Main Seal for 1957 283

Thanks guys I will probably order one from Paragon.

Dave

[Tom P.]

Re: Recommended Rear Main Seal for 1957 283

David,
All the Chevy aftermarket sources sell the conversion seal as mentioned above.
THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO!!!

The earlier version of this conversion seal consisted of 4 pieces: 2 seal halves and 2 thick pieces of reinforcing wire. YOU DO NOT WANT ONE OF THESE CONVERSION SEALS!
The later style conversion seal (which may be the only one available now) is a 2-piece seal with the reinforcing wire incorporated into the seal halves. A Chevy engine is a Chevy engine is a Chevy engine. Doesn't matter if it is in a Vette, truck, Impala or a Chris Craft! So, the conversion seal for early rope seal engines is available at any Chevy aftermarket source. Quite frequently, the Vette vendors will charge premium prices for parts that are common to various Chevys. For a part such as this, I usually check with the NON-Vette vendors for better pricing.