Yes the original military engines used the rope seal for sometime. The service manual only refers to the change as "on early L134 engines a wick type seal was used", "on later L134 engines a steel backed lip seal was used". The manual indicates that the new style seal can be used in place of the old style. The problem seems to be the loss of the dimensions in the aftermarket. It is important to measure the crankshaft. The early military L134 crankshafts will only work with a rope seal.

If you are using a rubber seal the crankshaft needs to be 2.320" - 2.310" and the block needs to be the newer civilian style. If you are using a military block and/or crankshaft, you need to use the rope seal. My machinist finds most L134 cranks out there are 2.310". If you have the right block and crank, the KW seal worked for me.