Still working on rebuilding the 1938 216, and in the process of replacing the oil seal in the timing gear cover.  I have a NOS seal.  The 38 shop manual says to replace seal with the free or open side of the leather facing the installing tool. The 41 manual uses the same language; the 47-51 manual says to replace seal with the free or open side of the leather toward the inside of the cover.  The language seems a bit unclear (or contradictory) to me and I want to make sure I get this right.  I’m assuming that what the manuals refer to as the “free” or “open” side of the leather is the narrower diameter of the leather cone (so to speak), as it tapers inward from the attached side in the diameter of the metal housing (the diameter at the side attached to the metal is approximately 1 7/8” while the diameter of the “free” side is approximately 1 5/8”.  The manual seems to indicate that the free side (with the smaller diameter) should face outward, toward the harmonic balancer and end of the crankshaft and NOT toward the body of the block.  Is that correct?  The actual metal housing of the seal is smooth on the “attached” side, but on the reverse side has a bit of a ridge around the edge, which according to the manual would then face outward toward the harmonic balancer (which seems somewhat counter-intuitive).  

I suppose I’m overthinking this, but I’d like to get it right—thanks for your help.

Jim