2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

apex seal questions

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Old Jun 24, 2009 | 10:42 PM
  #1  
gear_grinder's Avatar
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apex seal questions

Hi

I've seen a couple sets of "al's unbrakeable apex seals" for sale on ebay. there a one peice design. i figure there probbly like other over hardend apex seals and would tear up rotors. any one use them or know of them?

my other question was about WPC treating an apex seals leading edge. one post that i found in the tech section icemark posted (RIP) on and said that it leaves dimples, i think he was mistaking it for regular peening. WPC useds a meida like baby powder or flower and then blasts the metal at a retartedly high speed. because of the fine media that is used, it can be used on close tolerance parts (ive only seen main and rod bearings done). if it keeps the tolerances good enough for engine bearings it should be more then good enough for the leading edge of an apex seal.

thanks
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Old Jun 24, 2009 | 11:09 PM
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ITSWILL's Avatar
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The wpc treating seems like it would work by smoothing the surface and decreasing stress risers.
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Old Jun 29, 2009 | 06:01 PM
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any idea on the als?

if WPC relives stress risers, wouldnt that make the edge of the apex seal edge stronger?
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 03:25 AM
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leprachaungold9's Avatar
My 1986 Mazda RX-7
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if the apex seals are bad will the motor still run or what kind of symtom will i get?
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 05:33 AM
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Originally Posted by leprachaungold9
if the apex seals are bad will the motor still run or what kind of symtom will i get?
Don't hijack other people's threads.

To the OP: I bet they'd tear up your rotors and housings if something happened. I wished the seal in my last motor would have broken instead of turning my engine into a paperweight.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 08:59 AM
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arghx's Avatar
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what is the application? What are you doing with the engine?
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Old Sep 15, 2009 | 10:17 PM
  #7  
leprachaungold9's Avatar
My 1986 Mazda RX-7
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sorry lol i was asking you personally sorry bro
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:02 AM
  #8  
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revival, 300hp SAE to 300whp on stock ports, hybrid turbo
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 09:17 AM
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Use OEM.

Guys have had success with ALS seals but they're more for providing a cushion in the event of a component failure on a high hp car. At 300hp, or even in my 400+, OEM's do the job day after day after day.............................on a good tune with proper supporting mods.
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 10:45 AM
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whatever you do, get 2 peice seals (oem or not)

do not get oem 3 peice, they are garbage
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 11:16 AM
  #11  
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A week or so ago i reading up on different apex seals and I say some test data correlating apex seal surface roughness to durability and wear rates. The very smooth mazda OEM 2 piece seals tested faired better than all the aftermarket seals, with the one exception of cermic seals.

I'll quote what I read and I'll try to find the site again if I can.

It was found that the rougher apex seals where more likely to chatter on the housing surface than the smoother OEM seals, and the seals that where much harder material than the OEM seals where more likely to shatter in the rotor housing during extreme rather than just warp or crack.

Now, of course this is the internet and what i was reading may have been hooplah, but from my knowledge the information sounds plausible.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 03:09 PM
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what about WPC treating a set of OE mazda 2pc seals?

I would have all but the leading edge treated (to keep the smoothness, obviously); but if you treated the side of the seal, it would hold more "oil" thats injected into the combustion chamber (ether OMP and/or premix) thus reduceing ware on the sides of the apex seal and rotor apex grove?? I guess i would be worried about the added "hardness" of the seal waring the apex grove abnormaly fast...

I was just on the "offical" WPC site (http://www.wpctreatment.com/), they have testimony from kyle mohan using WPC treatemnt, however it doesnt say exactly what he used it on....
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