Any old timers recognize this tool?

[j-c-c-62]

So, is asbestos still used?

 

[artr8]

Modern rope seals aren't made of asbestos and don't survive as well as the originals did... In the past you could find NOS rope seals still in the Mopar package on Ebay... If I were building an engine that would be my preferred route..

Found this out the real hard way in 2009. Replaced a leaking seal on a 351C. (I know, it’s not a mopar.).
Replaced the original seal when refreshing the engine and doing a clutch upgrade. At first good but oil leakage went to 2 quarts per thousand miles in short order.
When I dropped the pan, in the truck btw, and pulled the seal again, the seal looked like a half filled sock. Scrounged up a vintage seal and installed. 15 years later, no weep or oil loss.
Time may march on but newer materials and technology does not always mean better.

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Found this out the real hard way in 2009. Replaced a leaking seal on a 351C. (I know, it’s not a mopar.).
Replaced the original seal when refreshing the engine and doing a clutch upgrade. At first good but oil leakage went to 2 quarts per thousand miles in short order.
When I dropped the pan, in the truck btw, and pulled the seal again, the seal looked like a half filled sock. Scrounged up a vintage seal and installed. 15 years later, no weep or oil loss.
Time may march on but newer materials and technology does not always mean better.

But Asbestos causes cancer.... Excuse me? Last I checked once in place no one is handling a rear main seal.. Just wear latex gloves while installing it & remember not to eat the ends that get cut off during the install & you'll be fine...

When I first started working on cars the old timers were still pulling brake drums & blowing the brake dust off into a big cloud that would hang in the shop for hours... eventually setting to the floor where it might get swept up but probably was gonna get blown out the stall door with compressed air...

I get trying to be safe but there are times when the old materials are so far superior it makes sense to continue to use that material but to learn proper handling techniques...

 

[j-c-c-62]

The biggest concern is breathing airborne asbestos fibers. Sounds to me like in this situation the highest risk is handling or cutting the material and being in that area, overhead or downwind. Handling/contacting it is not the direct issue. However, any released asbestos fibers by any means (handling) can also settle and become likely airborne anytime in the future. Asbestos does not ever decompose, one of its useful attributes.