Eccentric shaft in backwards
04-07-12, 02:05 PM
#1
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Eccentric shaft in backwards
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.
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.
04-07-12, 08:02 PM
#6
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.
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.
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04-08-12, 10:49 AM
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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.
04-12-12, 09:12 PM
#10
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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.
04-13-12, 07:54 PM
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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.
04-13-12, 08:07 PM
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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 log me back on.
