I have an S4T that I'm pulling out to investigate a possible corner seal spring escape as well as swapping the viton oil control O rings Atkins sent in my kit to Mazda OEM ones. LET ME ADD: This is a brand new engine. Brand new everything. Never fired over (I am just a noob builder that wanted to learn how to do all of this himself.) I actually found a suspiciously new-looking corner seal laughing at me on my garage floor while I was doing some suspension work on the drift FB... I doubt it was a spare as I was only sent what needed for the build. Mightve been from the 12a but I doubt they're that shiny. That is my main reason for disassembly BUT I figure, while I am back inside, I will swap the oil control o-rings as well, as I've heard mixed opinions about the viton ones since my rebuild and would prefer those to be OEM.

My main questions:

Do 12a corner seals look different from 13b ones? The one on my floor was pretty shiny, so it didnt look very used at all. But if they're a different size or something of that sort I can differentiate them and avoid having to take it back apart

Can coolant seals be reused if they've only been squished once and NEVER gone through any actual heat cycles?

I assume all of the springs and hard seals can be reused in my specific case? I found a page from a mazda manual giving info about reuse of apex seal springs based on standing height, but couldn't find info on side seal springs, or oil control ring springs. (I will be buying a new set of corner seal springs anyways, as I am suspicious my silly a** somehow let one escape. As to how, I do not know, and don't want to talk about it )

How about the engine stud washers? Can those be re-used?

Any help or advice would be appreciated. I know that this rebuild/checkup shouldn't be nearly as pricey as the first, but I would like some more experienced people's opinion on what I need to buy for a quick brain surgery

Engine details (that are relevant)
-S4T2 block with thickened rear dowel area (S5 center iron bc S4 out of stock new)
-S4 lower compression rotors
-OEM corner seals, side seals, Oil control rings, all OEM springs obviously
-E&J 2-Piece 2mm Apex Seals
-Streetported on all irons using MazdaTrix template. RB exhaust port
-Turblown engine block studs

 

the 12A seal will be for a 3mm apex seal, and the 86+ 13B seal is 2mm, other than that they are the same

 

Okay cool, thank you. I'll go measure it then I guess? I would assume I just measure the gap in between the fingers on the corner seal spring? It would make sense that it was a 12a corner seal spring from when I tore mine down, but doesn't explain how shiny it was.

I seriously have no idea how it would've popped out of a brand new build. If anything I thought it would've been the apex seal corners.

 

Here's one side. Normal for a corner seal spring to have this odd wear after use? Maybe its from getting stepped on and dragged along the garage floor?

Here's the other side. Similar wear on the opposing tip, and a chip/rub on the lower side.

12a spring? Thanks for any input. If I can confirm what spring this is that would be amazing

 

oh the spring, there are two types, that kind which is Cosmo/FD, but we pretty much use it on everything now and the wire type, which was originally used from 1967-1991. i couldn't find a picture of the wire type one, so that tells you something

 

I recall the wire type ones. The 12a in the car previously was built with the same style in the photos. That much I remember. Hmmm. Looks like compression test it is. If faces are even... I will send it with what I've got and assess problems if/when they arrive. This was possibly a panic scare.

I will post compression test results in this thread as well

I appreciate your help Mr. Armchair Engineer

 

Compression: 85-90 psi on all rotor faces. Engine turned over with a very, very powerful Milwaukee drill. No starter needed, haha.

Will be keeping her how she is