57teeburd

I have a rebuilt 312 in a '57 Fairlane with about 1000 miles on it. It started to leak almost immediatly. (rope seal). I finally could not take the oil everywhere under the car and bought a new neoprene seal now available. As per instructions: dropped tranny, pulled oil pan, pulled seal block out, dropped main bearing caps to gain what little clearance could be had, pulled rope out, cleaned and polished crank seal area with assorted papers, (I went to 2000 wet belt by hand) all the while watching to make sure that everything stayed clean and that nothing (wet grit) went anywhere. The surface was already quite smooth but since I was there anyway. Installed neoprene seal with 1/8th offset, putting a dab of Permatex on top of each side of seal block. Instead of side seals, Permatex was forced up the sides until it appeared at the top. The bolt holes for the seal block were filled flush and a new oil pan gasket with sealer installed. Hard to do as oil will keep migrating down the block to where you are trying to keep it at bay with solvent for adhesion. Left the whole thing to cure for three days........and the leak is exactly the same. HOW?? I switched to a different seal and method...even the seal block was swapped out in case there was a problem with that. I at least deserve a different flow, slower or faster. I love the sound of her but I am at the end of my rope. The bottom of the Fairlane is as wet as it was before. Any ideas as to what the *#@% I did wrong?