mgmuscari

So I've got my crank permanently located in my block for my 347 build, and have been having a terrible time trying to install the rear main seal while the motor is on the stand.

I started with a Fel-Pro rubber seal, which promptly got kinked and damaged when I tried to install it by tapping it in lightly with some flat plastic and a rubber hammer. I then decided to order the Fel-Pro PTFE (teflon) seal. Summit shipped the part with no instructions or anything, so I went ahead and proceeded with installation as one normally would - light coat of oil on the crank and the inner lip of the seal. Got the thing into the block with some gently and persistent coaxing, working around the engine stand's adapter plate.

Now I read that these seals are supposed to be installed dry - wtf?

The most detailed information I can find is that they are supposed to "impregnate" the crankshaft with teflon, and that using an oil coating on the crank and seal will cause them to leak, but I only found this in one post on some other forum. Can anyone verify this?

Who has installed a PTFE seal, with or without oil, and what were the results? Will this thing definitely leak now? Do I even want to install a seal that will "impregnate" my brand new Scat crank with teflon (i.e. am I married to teflon seals forever with this crank now)?

I'd hate to have blown $35 on this seal due to my assumption that there wouldn't be any difference in installation procedure...