That's very interesting that some say there's no problem with a rope seal. I just rebuilt an r11 Borg Warner out of a 50 shoebox with 8ba in it. The car has a very recent restoration. I'm neither a flathead nor an older ford expert but the inspectin plate on the bell housing has a drain made into it as well as a seal that goes across with a cup directly under the rear main to drain the leaking rear main away from the clutch. And it was needed as it was pouring out. Hmmmm.