I tried to replace the clutch for the first time this weekend. The clutch/flywheel replacement was going so smoothly. In 3hrs the flywheel was off and new pilot bearing/rear main seal were in place when I decided to put the flywheel back on. I didn't pay too much attention to the eccentric woodruff key because the flywheel was going on easily. We torqued the flywheel down to the proper torque spec when I noticed the engine didn't rotate like it used to. We took off the flywheel and noticed the woodruff key was smashed into many pieces and scored the rear main bearing on the eccentric shaft in the process. I am attaching a picture to help visualize. Please note this is not my engine.

So, in order to sleep well at night, I think I should replace the rear main bearing. It looks like the rear stationery gear pulls out of the rear housing and takes the bearing with it. My main concern is that the rear rotor will shift its position on the eccentric shaft when I remove the gear and sag due to gravity. I may never get it back into position. Is there a way to insure the rotor is at the bottom and won't shift its position? Am I worrying needlessly? See this website for a visual:

http://www.scuderiaciriani.com/rx7/engine_tech.html

 

I think it can be done.
just make sure your rotor is at bottom position so gravity can't move your rotor.

How to check if rotor at bottom position?
I think rotor position is opposite to counter balance position.so if your balance on the flywheel is on top your rear rotor should be at bottom.

I can be wrong so please someone confirm..

 

I just did my clutch/ flywheel a couple weeks ago. I pulled the stationary gear to replace the seal and the O-ring. The rotor doesn't move. It can't. Where will it go? The 3 points of the triangle hold it in place no matter what orientation the rotor is in. Ofcourse don't rotate the engine with the gear out! ...and do replace that O-ring. Mine was hard as a rock from the heat. Dealers don't keep it in stock. You have to order it. Good luck.

 

I would leave well enough alone.
Your gonna end up having to open the engine up if if doesnt gop back into place.
I dont think a scratched bearing warrants all that.

 

It's more than a scratched bearing, some metal from the bearing actually smeared up onto the eccentric shaft surface so that it would scratch it if I ran the engine. No oil would be able to come out of that section of the bearing either, which could overheat the bearing.

RX7 8U, do you know the part number of the main bearing and the O-Ring? Where would be the best place to get these parts?

 

Ordered all the parts from Mazdatrix today. If anyone needs it, I also bought the Mazda main bearing installation/removal tool.

 

For anyone who was dying of suspense, I did get the rear main gear off the car last night. It was a real pain in the *#$ though and wouldn't budge for the longest time. Finally, with no warning, the thing flew at my face, hit my eyebrow and fell on the hard concrete gear teeth down. Took out a chunk of concrete with the gear teeth, but looks like the teeth are okay.

And, and first it seemed like the rotor had moved in the housing because the inner gear was not concentric with the output shaft. Had me sh$#$$%* a brick until I remembered that the rotor gear slides in and out of mesh with the rear main gear and that everything was just fine