Damper seal leaks sbc

[namdlo]

I had a leak out of the damper seal so I thought I ought to fix this. Pretty simple but I have put two new seals in and it leaks worse than the original. I even used a different damper on the 2nd try. What am I doing wrong? Sbc, not sure of exact year of block but had 885 heads and was originally that blue color so I figure late 70's.

[GMCJOE]

I usually put some grease around the shaft of the dampener and lip of the seal. They are supposed to be lubed up for install. I would say pull the numbers off the block and decode it. Order the parts and try again.

[namdlo]

3rd time and , cross fingers, no more leak. I had put oil on previous 2 trys but a good coat of grease and well I don't want to jinx it.
Thanks

[GMCJOE]

Good luck. I have never had a problem after I put a new one in. Can't be much help. They only other reason I could think that you would have a re-occurring leak coming from your front main seal, would be you crank is outta balance causing excessive wobble on the front killing your new seals.

[mrein3]

What happens is a groove gets cut in the damper shaft where it contacts the seal. Yes, rubber will cut iron after a few million times around.
There are three possible ways to fix it.
1. They make a thin, metal piece that you hammer over your grooved damper shaft where it contacts the seal. I've used these and they work.
2. They make an offset seal so the seal rides around in a new place. I've used these too and they also work.
3. A new damper will also work.
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[beautimus]

also, if there is a groove worn on the damper where it contacts the seal, it can cause a persistant leak. In those cases , i have made a wire spacer to keep the seal from going all the way back in the cover. This will move the seal forward just enough to seat on unworn metal , on the damper.