Rob,
Here is an excerpt from one of my Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association bulletins. I included the part number for the 455's too in case anyone is interested. Hope this help:
Rear Main Rope Seal Alternative
The AERA Technical committee supplies the following information on a rear main rope seal alternative. The information provided below was collected over many years. This information is feedback from people like you. People tell us these seals have worked fine for them but will they work for you? AERA expresses no guarantee that they will work 100% of the time but the seals listed below have proven to be the most successful.
During installation, offset or rotate each seal half ž to 3/8" from the main cap parting line. Place dab of anaerobic gel on the ends of the seals that will butt together. Lubricate the seal lip with straight 50 W oil or a bearing assembly lube as those lubes that will stay in place until the engine is started. Seal manufacturers do not recommend white grease alone, because they have seen too many failures from dry startups. This is especially true in rebuilt engines that sit on the shelf for long periods of time before being put into service. This is why you may have seen chunks torn out of the contact face of the seals that have
leaked. If you have ever seen a Ford 390 or 460 tear the whole lip off the seal, it happened because it was dry started and stuck to the crankshaft.
Buick 350 use BS-40032 which normally fits a Ford 460
Buick 455 use BS-30135 which normally fits a Ford 200
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