Franco
Bigger Hammer
I had a thought while away from the Willys work that I might be able to take the 3/8” rope and stretch it in order to get it thinner so it might fit. When pulling on a new piece I pulled out a white cord or core from the center of the sleeve. First tried to reinsert it but that wasn’t happening. Then tried it without the cord. It packed in the groove and had a much better fit. Used a 2 1/2” dia. slug to contour the shape and further push it into the groove. After doing this ,it seemed to look like it might work. I cut the ends for length with the hot razor blade,lubed the exposed seal and the groove with assambly grease.
Got under the wagon and after a bit got the top filler block started in the groove. After awhile and turning the engine I got the top half of the filler block in place. It seemed to be tight enough and wiped the crank seal surface as it should. The seal stayed in place and I could see that the hot blade faced off the ends of the rope seal very well. Haven’t yet tried the bottom half but think it is a go. Worst that can happen is it will leak !
Got under the wagon and after a bit got the top filler block started in the groove. After awhile and turning the engine I got the top half of the filler block in place. It seemed to be tight enough and wiped the crank seal surface as it should. The seal stayed in place and I could see that the hot blade faced off the ends of the rope seal very well. Haven’t yet tried the bottom half but think it is a go. Worst that can happen is it will leak !