Clamshell.. Felt or cork

37 Cab

Well-known member
The clamshell seal provided by Mitchell for my 37 is cork. It had a felt seal in it. Which would you use? Should I try to find a replacement felt seal or is the cork seal ok?
 
Roy Nacewicz (now under a new name) listed the felt seals.

Web site is FordScript.com

Go to " Early V8 hardware" and on page 17, you'll find item D-002:
 

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Thanks Ken. That is what I will do then. Do you position the ends at the top or the side?
 
There's a little internal piece with the same ID as the seal that holds it together.
Don't forget to put the paper gasket seals in first.
 
Tim: Yes. On the flats surfaces of where the clam shells mate together. You will see the old gaskets when you take it apart. I say, "Don't forget" because if you do, you will have to either slide the drive shaft out of the universal joint or cut the paper gaskets at the top so you can install install them. I forgot and did the latter. Take photos for provenance.
 

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Tim: Yes. On the flats surfaces of where the clam shells mate together. You will see the old gaskets when you take it apart. I say, "Don't forget" because if you do, you will have to either slide the drive shaft out of the universal joint or cut the paper gaskets at the top so you can install install them. I forgot and did the latter. Take photos for provenance.

Got it and good tip!
 
Also the speedo gear gasket and driveshaft seal [ installed properly ] adds up to being able to use a more liquid lube .

Your brake cross shat will be happier also .

I use felt and SAE 140 in all .

Your call on this bud .

Paper gasket seals? On the flats, right?
 
Thanks Ken. That is what I will do then. Do you position the ends at the top or the side?

I always use the cork, and I position the ends at the top of the upper clam shell half. I also dry fit the cork with both pieces of the clam shells held together as they would be bolted in place. Sometimes it's been necessary to slightly trim one end of the cork for proper initial fit. This has always worked better for me than cutting the cork into two pieces.
I also always apply some grease to the cork before assembling clamshell halves to the back of transmission.
 
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I use cork on 1935-up cars, but on a 32-34 with a one piece clamshell you almost HAVE to use felt.
 
I always use the cork, and I position the ends at the top of the upper clam shell half. I also dry fit the cork with both pieces of the clam shells held together as they would be bolted in place. Sometimes it's been necessary to slightly trim one end of the cork for proper initial fit. This has always worked better for me than cutting the cork into two pieces.
I also always apply some grease to the cork before assembling clamshell halves to the back of transmission.

Thanks John. That is exactly how I did it.
 
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