rope seal replacement

When you install the 2 piece neoprene seal, offset the seal end gaps from the seal retainer-to-block parting line by a few degrees, and put a bit of RTV on the ends of the seal halves (just a tiny dab).

Best results are to smooth the edges of the small knurled diagonal groove pattern in the seal area, but that is hard to do in-car. Those are made to work with the rope seal.

Make sure to use a good sealant around the seal retainer and the little rubber retainer side gaskets to the pan; black RTV is good.

Don't touch the timing cover; that is not necessary. Jacking/lifting up the engine may be needed to get the pan off.

If you remove the oil pickup, be sure to get it aligned right when re-installing, so that the pickup screen is near to the pan bottom.

If you do use the rope seal; use a fine brass wire hooked through the seal half to slowly pull through the upper half.