Side Seal Clearance - Gimme Recommendations
 

I am rebuiilding an engine.

Mazda spec is 0.002"-0.006" with maximum allowable of 0.016"

Mine are all measuring about 0.009"

What will be the affect on compression and does anyone know what a set of new seals can be purchased for?

The more clearence you have the lower the compression. Mazdatrix.com sells OEM ones for 11.84 each.

Dang!

$150 for 12 seals is steep.

Does anyone have experience in this sort of thing? There has to be some that have used seals like this.

I don't recommend cutting corners on engine internals. Having said that, you're still within the max allowable.

Many years ago, an unnamed shop rebuilt my motor and I'm positive they reused my side seals. I always had problems with excessive fuel dilution in my oil, and my oil was always very thin, even right after an oil change. It always reeked of gasoline.

When I tore down that motor after some fun detonation chewed up some shitty hurley apex seals, I found that the side seals were quite loose. I never measured the spec, but I am sure they were way out. Anyway, some info to help you make the best decision.

side seals are one of the KEYS to an outstanding build versus an average build.

set clearance at .002". the seals come long and you have to file them to spec. not only do they need to be .002 but the face has to be absolutely perpendicular and it has to be angled so as to match the face of the corner seal.

do a search here and on nopistons for additional info.

you need to spend lots of quality time clearancing side seals.

howard coleman

You should be able to get an entire set for not much over $100 from Malloy Mazda. Don't cheap out!

.009 Is too wide regardless of what the manuel tells you. You'll never build healthy compression with your gaps measuring .009. You will have harder starting problems. I recommend what Howard Coleman suggested. .002-003 is what I shoot for. Hell I wont even put the engine back together if it measures over .004. I'm picky like that. LOL!

You can also get them from Atkins Rotary on ebay for around $110.00.

Errr, im pretty sure i clearanced mine to within 0.04 when i rebuilt my engine? And ive got 120psi on both rotors with no starting problems....

If it is .04mm you shouldn't have a problem. The .002 everyone is speaking of is in inches.

oh ok!

stupid imperial measurements :P

Indeed you do. I think that alone takes up the most time when building a stock port motor :)

Why is it that piston people normally do not think of reusing seals for an engine rebuild? Cost should never be a factor for a good rebuild.

Wise Man.