Well I re cleaned my rotors last nite and started to reassemble them for engine build today. I got the thing totally taken apart as with the rest of my car. I have checked all tolerances so I know everything is good.


here is my dilema, As I was trying to install the oil control rings, the springs were not color coded so I tried to follow what the FSM said about direction and I got that. Next, trying to get teh rings to seat is next to impossible with using an old ring. How do you install these rings engine builders? Use a soft rubber mallet with an old ring? Im perplexed and want to get this thing done and done right. Let me know.

 

For me the inner rings went in fine, I could push them and they would go up and down but the outers were very difficult and would want to bind. I just pushed them in with an old ring as best as I could and put the motor together. Now when I put the motor together it was difficult to spin over (without the front stack) and I now suspect the outer rings were the problem. After the breakin the motor will spin over easily now but I suppose there was alot more wear on those outer rings than there should have been. Check to make sure there is no carbon at all along the grooves where the ring sits and the ring itself.

 

You need to lube them up very well. Most use Vaseline for this. Coat the o-ring, the hard carrier and the groove. Place the carrier properly over the spring and start at one side to push it in with your fingers. Be very careful that the o-ring does not squeeze out. Once it's flat and semi-installed, spread your fingers over the entire ring and push evenly while slightly rocking back and forth. It should pop in, then raise slightly when you take your fingers off of it. The friction of the o-ring will keep it in place but it won't sit flat against the rotor until you tighten the tension bolts.

Personally I've never used an old ring to push in the new one.

 

Here's a picture.

 

Thanks for the input guys. Aaron, I used that method on one side and it worked fine. The other side was bit more difficult and I almost had to leave my feet. I stopped at that moment, and made sure that I had the rings clean and the grooves.

I use vasoline when assembling any engine i do for the "tack" factor of holding things and the ease of sliding parts that need to (oil control rings) This is my first rotary Im rebuilding and Im sure it would be a lot smoother if I had disassembled it myself instead of getting it in pieces.

Im going back to finish it up and will report any issues.

 

Why am I having such an issue getting the outter rings in? On top of that. 2 of the outter rings are ******* broken. So I cant even complete the engine. ARRRRGGG. Anyone got 2 outter oil control RINGS they dont need?

 

are you using OEM rings or viton? because from what ive heard viton are about 346289343629 times harder to push in than stock, and stock rings arent exactly a walk in the park.

 

hey man you still need old rings?? i just put my engine together and i kept my old ones. the way i did mine was with the old ring on top lots of vaseline and press evenly with index finger and thumb on both hands, it might have taken me more than one try but my motor never had trouble spinning when assembled. let me know if you still need the rings, you can have the whole set for cheap.

 

Don't slide your fingers on the ring while pushing down!


-Ted

 

Yeah Ted. I cut the **** outta my finger tips already. I finally got all but 2 (the ones that are broken) down in after at least an hour of ******* with them. I got a set coming Pistones, thanks though bro. I might be interested in em later, but for now, Im good.

 

Those "oil control ring fingertip cuts" hurt like hell! Been there, done that.

 

Yeah. My mechanix gloves WILL be used on my next install of them lol. I guess this is just one of those things that will take a while to get done.