Couple of Q's
I was wondering how far the pilot bearing goes into the engine. Will it just go as far as possible or will it keep going and do you need a special tool.

And what kind of sealant do you use to reseal the flywheel nut

 

Don't use any sealant. Just use a torque wrench and tighten to the correct torque.

The pilot bearing will eventually stop, if I remember correctly.

 

Far enough to seat the seal as well.

 

The flywheel nut should have a washer with a tab that you bend over the side of the nut to keep the nut from backing off.

 

If you seat the pilot bearing in as far as it will go it will be hard to remove in the future. Leave enough space for the little jaws on the puller to open up behind the pilot bearing. The older pre-RX7 motors used a big washer that you bent over on the flat of the nut to secure it, but I guess they did away with that. I'd use some blue loctite, myself. -WG

 

yeah knock the pilot bearing all the way in and you might be having to buy a dremel next time you have to replace it.

 

aahhhh ,,, Dremel, my second favorite tool,,,

 

I had to use a Dremel to get my pilot bearing out. Ah, the memories...

 

man... the first time i ever had to get that PB out was a two day event..i found somewhere on the web that a carriage bolt grounded down on the edges would pull the sucker out... needless to say i tried to mickey mouse it that way.. since the real tool was a buck twenty.. tried for 2hrs using 2 bolts grinded up.. well it didnt work..gave up and went to mazdatrix on the next day, which was a monday and had the guy at me..
gotta have the right tools for the right job..u don't see a plumber duct taping every leak in sight...

 

Whats your first favorite?

 

hammer

 

sometimes torch

 

You can use a valve guide puller -30 bucks at advance

 

You could put a big gob of grease in the bearing and get a correctly sized transfer punch (or something like it) put it into the bearing an tap with a hammer, the hydraulic pressure will push the bearing out.

 

My local auto parts store has a pilot bearing puller they will loan out with a $20 deposit. The last time I used it, the jaws were all butchered up and I had to clean them up with a file so they would catch on the edge of the bearing. But that thing is a lifesaver, I can't imagine trying to get one of these suckers out without it. Here's a little trick for installing the new pilot bearing, take the new bearing and grease it well, then put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Now when you install it, it will slide in much easier as the cold will cause the metal to contract. I use a socket that has an outside diameter slightly smaller than the hole in the e-shaft to push the new bearing in. Works great! -WG

 

"""You could put a big gob of grease in the bearing and get a correctly sized transfer punch (or something like it) put it into the bearing an tap with a hammer, the hydraulic pressure will push the bearing out."""

I know this SHOULD work, but I have never found the right size I guess. I thought for sure I did a couple of times, but all I did was make a mess!

 

Just need a punch with a tighter fit, thats why I said transfer punch, because they give you a great selection of sizes to choose from.

 

14mm works great!