Hey, building up my 13B and I have run into a lil prob. Which oil spring goes on the front of the rotor and which on the back? Also how do you tell them apart?

 

are you referring to the springs for the oil O-rings (which there are 4 per rotor) or something else?

do you have a picture of what you're referring to?

 

ya, 2 on each side.

 

well if that's what you're talking about, then there is no front and rear - only inner and outer. ideally it would be better to replace the seals and springs where they came from, but i don't think you have much to worry about.

 

you know it's funny how these things work ...
i was just checking out www.mazdatrix.com because i'm getting a budget together for the 12A i'm building and they have the oil O-rings listed as a front and rear. i've NEVER seen that before, but it immediately reminded me of you and your question ... so it seems that i may be wrong. you may want to e-mail them your question to find out for sure ... actually, i'm pretty curious now myself.

 

Another question, the side seals, do they have to be cut to the right length??

 

it totally matters which springs go on the front side and the rear side. they are made to keep the oil seal from turning.

to figure it out, take your front rotor and imagine it is in the engine with the gear on the rotor facing the front of the engine now put the rotor in motion (movement is clockwise if you are looking at the front of the car).
imagine the spring at the 12 o'clock position on the front of the rotor, the correct spring will have the square tab on the left of the 12 o'clock and the rounded tab will be to the right of 12 o'clock. the rounded tab goes towards the rotor and fits in the little hole. the square part of the tab sould bend up to meet the notch in the oil seal. now take all the springs and match up four to this desription those that match are the front springs. you really should buy a book on the car.

 

the side seals have to be the correct legnth. if you want to do a good engine build everything should be in spec with the factory workshop manual. it should be perfect and to exact tolerences, if you want the best rebuild.

 

did you get the springs right?

 

If you buy precut side seals, cutting is usually un necessary. Just a clearance check and file if needed. Remember to file at the same angle so you have good sealing at the corner seal.

Oil ring springs are side specific. They are color coded white and blue. Look for small painted stripes.

 

most springs i have seen have the color worn off of them (no color). but if the color is there use it.