This is just to give you guys something to laugh about.

I've helped with several rebuilds during the 5 years but I had never really put the entire short block together by myself. So, I thought it was about time.
I didn't think I had any trouble assembling the short block. I had it all buttoned up but I forgot to give the eccentric a turn or two just to be sure everything was OK. I assembled the front stack and put the front cover on. When I went to torque down the front bolt I realized that the eccentric would not move, it was almost completely frozen.
OOPS, so after talking with a few guys, I disassembled the short block. I took everything off down to the front rotor. I stopped at the front rotor because I found a bent apex seal spring so I assumed that was the problem.
I swapped the spring for a new one and proceeded to re-assemble the short block. Things were looking good. This time, after torquing the tension bolts and installing the rear stationary gear, I gave the eccentric a spin. Still it would not budge.
OK, talk with a couple of more guys, get an idea what to look for and take it back a part. This time as I got down to the front rotor, I finally noticed that the eccentric shaft was in backwards.
Holly cow, I didn't even know it was possible to install it backwards.

 

Haha you really didnt notice that huge tapered threaded end for the flywheel nut on one side? I didnt think you could install it backwards either, thats a new one...

 

all i have to say.

 

Somewhere, on Paul Yaw's site, there was a picture of an engine with an eccentric shaft installed backwards. Don't know if it's still up, but yes it is possible. I just doubt the OP's story.

 

Sounds Impossible

 

I don't think it's impossible, and I definitely wouldn't throw the BS flag just yet. He didn't say he installed it in the car or anything, he just tried to assemble the engine with it backwards.

I don't think that'll prevent you from rotating, though. I found that while I was assembling my engine that I was jamming the seal springs in the groove (like the Mazda FSM says) and the engine didn't want to rotate afterwards. I ended up assembling the rotor with seals and springs first, holding everything together with a rubber band, then sliding the assembly in the housing, then installing the corner seals. Sounds a bit weird, but each person sort of has their own methods that work. This was 8 years ago too, so it's been a while since I've built a rotary.

 

it's possible but ... u didn't notice the flywheel nut side ...

 

How did you assemble the front stack with the shafts in backwards?

 

Right... I was with him up until that point. Went to watch over a guy's first rebuild and by the time I got there he was just about to put the intermediate plate on with the shaft in backwards. Good times.

 

You are correct. I messed the story all up. BUT, not intentionally. This actually did happen but I didn't assemble the stack, of course. I didn't notice the e-shaft was in backwards until the second time I assembled the short block. I finally saw what the problem was after disassembling it the second time.

 

OOPS, sorry, I hope I didn't confuse anybody but I posted under my Dad's account. Sometimes when I'm home I forget to log him off and me on.

 

OOPS, sorry, I hope I didn't confuse anybody but I posted under my Dad's account. Sometimes when I'm home I forget to log him off and log me back on.