Holden 308 V8 Rubber / Neoprene Rear Main Conversion

I just rebuilt my 308 and wanted to change from the rope seal to a rubber neoprene type. I had done a fair amount of research but didn’t get a 100% answer on how to do it.
My first video - I hope it helps someone get the right info and help to do it.
Really happy no leaks and a lot easier than the old rope seal!

[@DanWallis86]

You have just made my next job sound so much easier. I was dreading the thought of installing a rope seal. Cheers mate.

[@anthonywhelan8373]

Dandy engines do a conversion to the Holden v8 which then takes a chev rear main seal they machine the crank seal area and the rear main retainer in the block and cap and it works no modifications to a seal and readily available in shops if needed I’ve completed this conversion and absolutely no oil leaks That was after trying the rope seal and the v6 seal with no luck at all

[@danielcosta3244]

Great video Anthony!!! Keep them coming mate.

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Hi mate, correct no polishing just bolt it in. Good luck with it!

[@jimduggin5535]

Great vid, I’m about to do this- how much did you trim off ?

[@rommel3740]

Awesome video thanks mate was not lookin forward doing a rope on next rebuild

[@idkwhattonamethisxxx]

Thanks heap Anthony- Great info. just did mine on the engine on the stand but got to vapour blast the sump to bring it back to standard finish as its in a VP Senator....Got to do thec355 nextcas its leaking like a sieve- unfortunately I missed a step...sealant on the cap face so Ivassume thats where its leaking from in that one...

[@oscarthefunnyboxer]

You sir....rock 💪👍

[@thewholls7176]

Good video good on ya mate I see this is three years ago. How’s that motor going these days?…… The 308 has a couple of other interesting mod options. One of them is to put modern valve stem seals in the head with a bit of machining, and there’s some oiling mods COME racing have a video on KZbin and they drill an additional hole in the front cam tunnel, and then they grind an annulus linking the two holes and they put a oil restrictor in journal number four, I think, and it just floats the crankshaft in oil on start-up gets rid of any tapping noise

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Hey, cheers! it never had a drop of oil from the seal. It’s been apart for a bit now and I’ve done another one but yet to start it. Yes have a fair few oiling mods done, prepped the pump, smoothed the outside hole from the pump to block opened up the front galley holes, drilled and ground annulus on cam bear one and blocked the number 4 hole etc. It’s a solid cam so a bit noisey also had done the lash setting etc at the at point

[@zdravkomomci7570]

Good video, I bought a neo seal a while ago BS40613 spose to be the V8 rope replacement was told, didnt have much luck with it for leaks was a loose fit for rear main. How much did you end up taking off with the grinder in the end? That other seal for scat crank you mentioned part No.? It helps matching the halfs without a crank installed which I never tried and makes sense. Well done on your success too.

[@SuperAinslee]

Thanks Mate great Info and Video About to do the Sons 308 rear main and want to use anything but the ol rope seal !! Have you got any info on the other Fel Pro gaskets ? Cheers Luke

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Hi Luke - Do this style. 18months later and not a drop has leaked. The felpro kit is just a run of the mill standard stuff with the blue felpro head gaskets

[@bobskibruno]

Hey mate, I'm about to do the rear main on my VR bt1 5ltr, just curious as to how it has been going with your rear main? Was it worth it? Any leaks? Better than a rope seal you recon?

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Boris (Vlad) hey mate 12 months and bone dry. Did a rally in November, poor thing say 120deg c water temp on a 40+ deg day. All good. Wouldn’t do any other type!

[@dingahling8064]

Great vid mate. Do you use sealant on the rubber sump gasket?

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Hi, Cheers - Yes i do only around the timing cover and the main cap humps to the corners, when the gasket is straight i stop it.

[@autoconversion2410]

grate video mate, im going to do the same for my 304 VT.. just want to reconfirm..no need to machine the crank..? thanks

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Hi mate, confirmed no need to machine or polish the crank. Just bolt it in. Good luck!

[@mikenhart1]

Anthony, did you find the 2903 Buick seal missed aligning with the knurl on the rope crank journal (ie: it ran on the smooth section)? Also, how has the seal held up after a few runs, leak wise?

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Hi Mike, No the seal does run on the knurling of the crank. The engine has done around 1500ks now done 2 rallies where temps are high and engine speed is high too and it is bone dry still. So far super happy.

[@a1eksandar]

still holding up??

[@haroldsimmons1673]

its november 2021 hows the seal going cheers

[@nathanweeks6743]

Hey mate how’s the seal holding up now, any leaks?, but to redo my VT 5L

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Nathan Weeks Still was bone dry. Just dropped the motor out to get balance checked and it not a drop has leaked!

[@darrenkingston9912]

Are you running a solid cam sounds nosy

[@anthonycampbell1913]

Yes that’s the sound of a solid cam!

[@darrenkingston9912]

Doses it hold lash .or is it a pig and watt size is it im building 355 with crane f280

[@keithcarter1917]

Cannot hear you