Hi guys,
I am curently restoring a motor pool 1944 MB tub with a GPW frame.
I Sent the entire engine to a machinist an when I got it back I notices many mistakes where made. So to make a long storry short, I got refund but for the parts and decided I will put it back together myself.
I do this to have fun and lurn so now is the time I guess.

All went fine but I think I made a mistake and it is here that I need all your wisdom. Before inserting the rope seal, I had it sit in motor oil for at least one and a halft week. When I took them to install, The black coating was all gone and it had swollen prety much. I had two sets but guess what, I had the realy bad idea to put them all at once. I admit that was not verry smart. But what I did then was to shape the seals anyway and install them like that. The cranks got then tight. I figured that was like it should be since all is new and tight.
I rebuilt the rest without anny issue. I put the engine back in the jeep yesterday to find out that it is so hard to spin that the starter motor barely turns it. I used the hand crank and almost exhousted myself trying to make it spin. It turns but my sons where not strong enoug. Since they are 16 and 21, it is wrong.

I used plastic gauges for the main bearings and the rods one and it was within the tolerances specs. I will have no choices other than redo it all over again I guess.

Will be all in for anny advices have all a good day.

Stéphane