What did you do to your FB today?
02-27-12, 03:22 PM
#202
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I don't have any pics of my bar... oddly enough, since I have pics of damn near everything else. What are you needing to see? I can tell you right now you'll have to chop up your RB filter top as well as move your charcoal canister if your still using it. Those were two things that got in the way of the passenger side firewall bar.
The problem with using the forward bolts is that there are two ridges on the top of the strut tower and I didn't want to crush them when installing the mount. If that really is where it goes, and mike didn't install it differently for some reason, then I want to find a way to protect the strut top from damage (even if only paint damage). So, if that's where it goes, I'll see about rigging some spacers or something...
02-27-12, 05:29 PM
#204
I was up til just before midnight last night, getting the keg put together. Went to sleep expecting to maybe be installing the engine and trans back in the chassis today.
Instead, I just spent the last several hours tearing it all apart again, trying to discover what was salvageable after disaster struck.
Details forthcoming in my build thread, but the short version seems to be that the rear inner oil rings didn't retract evenly in their bores (even though I had checked them by hand) over the spring ends.
when I rotated the engine by hand, it seemed stiffer than usual for a fresh assembly, but not horribly so. Then, about the third go-round, the oil rings both started chewing into the side housings. Jammed and stopped rotating.
My near-unobtanium Cali-specific EGR midplate looks to be toast, and possibly my rear plate too. Ironically, the expensive but replaceable oil rings look to still be just fine. That's tough stuff they're made of, to cut nitrided cast iron like cheese & come away without a scratch.
Needless to say, not the best of days.
Instead, I just spent the last several hours tearing it all apart again, trying to discover what was salvageable after disaster struck.
Details forthcoming in my build thread, but the short version seems to be that the rear inner oil rings didn't retract evenly in their bores (even though I had checked them by hand) over the spring ends.
when I rotated the engine by hand, it seemed stiffer than usual for a fresh assembly, but not horribly so. Then, about the third go-round, the oil rings both started chewing into the side housings. Jammed and stopped rotating.
My near-unobtanium Cali-specific EGR midplate looks to be toast, and possibly my rear plate too. Ironically, the expensive but replaceable oil rings look to still be just fine. That's tough stuff they're made of, to cut nitrided cast iron like cheese & come away without a scratch.
Needless to say, not the best of days.
Why do bad things happen to good people??
I hate it for you DD..
02-27-12, 05:40 PM
#205
Thanks, gents... first order of business will be to figure out just what went wrong, so it doesn't happen again. It's stumping a number of learned folks just now.
In my dreams last night (no joke) I had this horrid mental image of myself turning the new engine backwards... I don't think I actually did it, but it's enough to have me doubting myself, you know?
Reverse loading on the ring springs could cause them to expand... That's why there are front and rear springs. Opposite directions of rotation.
In my dreams last night (no joke) I had this horrid mental image of myself turning the new engine backwards... I don't think I actually did it, but it's enough to have me doubting myself, you know?
Reverse loading on the ring springs could cause them to expand... That's why there are front and rear springs. Opposite directions of rotation.
02-28-12, 06:02 AM
#206
My 7 is my girlfriend.
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Ken, you'll need to add two washers onto each of the forward strut top bolts. You won't be able to crush the ridges, they're too thick. The bar just won't bolt down properly. I was actually bugging Sam about this very issue yesterday when I was at the shop. Every time I have to put the bar back on the washers are a pain to hold in place while trying to also hold the bolts for the camber plates in. It's all very awkward.
02-28-12, 09:11 AM
#207
Well today I continued work on my quest for a close ratio transmission for my SA.
The transmission case I'm using does not have the provision for the switch I use to disable my e-fan when I am in 4th gear so I had to drill a place for the switch;
and then cut the threads, Had a hard time finding a 14mm X 2 tap btw.
I also had to cut a relief in the shift fork to trip the switch.....please excuse the close up of my finger...
Now I'm back to waiting for the main shaft nut I had to order from the dealer......
The transmission case I'm using does not have the provision for the switch I use to disable my e-fan when I am in 4th gear so I had to drill a place for the switch;
and then cut the threads, Had a hard time finding a 14mm X 2 tap btw.
I also had to cut a relief in the shift fork to trip the switch.....please excuse the close up of my finger...
Now I'm back to waiting for the main shaft nut I had to order from the dealer......
02-28-12, 09:36 AM
#209
The mod I'm doing would be right down your alley. The close ratio trans is ideal for autocrossing, you are much beter able to stay in the power band, and from what I understand makes the car much much more responsive to throttle imputs, we will see.....
02-28-12, 10:00 AM
#210
In my dreams last night (no joke) I had this horrid mental image of myself turning the new engine backwards... I don't think I actually did it, but it's enough to have me doubting myself, you know?
Reverse loading on the ring springs could cause them to expand... That's why there are front and rear springs. Opposite directions of rotation.
Reverse loading on the ring springs could cause them to expand... That's why there are front and rear springs. Opposite directions of rotation.
02-28-12, 10:52 AM
#212
Is the edge on the oil seals sharp/hard enough to shave the side housings without tremendous pressure?
I just cant figure out how the seals could have been in place to begin with and then move in such a way that they could exert sufficient pressure to shave the side housings. Im baffled.
02-28-12, 03:27 PM
#213
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so yes, actually they are that sharp, although the sharp edge is the edge, and not the face, so when it sits flat on the housing it should be harmless?
02-29-12, 06:38 AM
#216
I removed the paint from my housings using Mar-Hyde aircraft coating removal. Only took 5 minutes before the paint started to "bubble." The simply used a brass brush to remover. Went amazingly smooth.
And ordered some porting templates from mazdatrix. First time porting, hope it goes well.
And ordered some porting templates from mazdatrix. First time porting, hope it goes well.
02-29-12, 08:36 AM
#217
DD-
There was a cali-spec SA (IIRC....original registration was in the car from Cali) in the boneyard in Detroit last summer. I'll see if I can't sneak away after work tomorrow/Friday night to see if it's still there. The 12a was still in it last summer. Shoot me a PM with what I should look for and I'll see if it's the proper center plate.
-Jim
There was a cali-spec SA (IIRC....original registration was in the car from Cali) in the boneyard in Detroit last summer. I'll see if I can't sneak away after work tomorrow/Friday night to see if it's still there. The 12a was still in it last summer. Shoot me a PM with what I should look for and I'll see if it's the proper center plate.
-Jim
02-29-12, 11:36 AM
#218
its supposed to do that
Spent some quality time pulling all of the underhood wiring harnesses, now I get to de-pin all the useless wires and prep the passenger side grommet for the Megasquirt harness. I only have about 75,000 more little things to do before it is back on the road. The early 4-port to TII adapter is finished though.
Isaac
Isaac
03-01-12, 01:23 PM
#224
down, but not out
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Progress!
I spent my day off putting in work where it really matters...on the Rx7!! 
New carpet from the storage bins back.
Special thanks to Glazedham42 for the inspiration to get this done!
It is AMAZING what you can accomplish in a day!
More to come very soon!
Smith
New carpet from the storage bins back.
Special thanks to Glazedham42 for the inspiration to get this done!
It is AMAZING what you can accomplish in a day!
More to come very soon!
Smith