Lapping Irons?front,intermediate,rear.good idea?bad idea?
 

I've heard its a must on a rebuild,and I've also heard it's not adviseable due to the removal of hardend surface?and shortened life of housing(s)and oil seals?the irons are from a 10th ae TII and the front one shows a bit more wear than I'm comfortable with reusing as it stands I'm right at the discard limit stated by mazda...like .0031-.0033" sideseal,oilseal,cornerseal overlap area on the plug side of the iron in question.

The other two irons are well within spec,and i have no problem reusing them,the front iron isnt warpped or burnt,just a bit worn.anyway any of you engine guys that could give me some insight into what you think about resurfacing irons,I'd apperciate the help.

Also any ideas why the front iron suffered the most wear?and not the others?rotors show no sign of contact,corner seals apear ok to me,but thats not saying much,and bearings have no copper showing,stationary gears ok also..this motor had no broken parts it was just carbon locked...bad turbo oil seal..thanks again

A lot of people frown on lapping the housings. However, as long as you have someone who knows what they are doing (and they re-nitrate the surface), it's not usually a problem.

I had my housings lapped by Mazdatrix.

Fellas,
I know alot of places lap side housings, but does anyone have a list, or know of, people who re-nitride housings?
Thanks,
Peacedog

local to you?

the only thing that comes to mind is contact PFS and see if they do it in-house or find out where they send theirs.

Well that's about what I thought,I'm having trouble finding a optical grade lapping table here in cincinnati,and as for the nitrating process I wonder what the cost involved in that would be?I was thinking bout going the mazdatrix route myself...do the re treat the housing when their done?The cars really cherry,and I'd hate to do all the work just to have the darn thing start smoking after a few thousand miles.who PFS? and where are they located any closer to cincy than california?theres a few places around here that have old school lapping tables,just not sure of the surface finish in microns,don't want them to be to rough and eat up the oil seals.any input greatly apperciated got to go eat,I'll check back later.Thanks

PFS = Peter Farrell Supercars - in Maryland. sorry i was responding to Peacedog94.

as for Ohio, i believe rx7store is there somewhere. i forget the username associated with them, but they might be able to steer you in the right direction. keep in mind that i have not dealt with them - never dealt with PFS, either, so i can't speak for service or attitudes, but i know they are there.

Ask JASON at RX7Store.....

Yes.

Thanks alot. I'm sure PFS is great,but real pricey gonna check out rx7 store appreciate the info.

If it dosen't work out with rx7 store will go with mazdatrix,I've delt with them before I'm not sure I'll like the shipping chage to west coast,Irons are heavy but I'll do whatever it takes this car is worth it.

I haven't ever heard of anyone applying the gas nitride coating after lapping. You may have to do that your self and it is very expensive. Buying new housings my be cheaper.

Aspec is in chicago and they know of a good place for lapping irons.

I haven't ever heard of anyone applying the gas nitride coating after lapping. You may have to do that your self and it is very expensive. Buying new housings my be cheaper.

Aspec is in chicago and they know of a good place for lapping irons.

Re-nitriding is a must after lapping and any decent shop that's rotary oriented will have it done. I don't know which shops have the capability or connections to have it done however. Btw, it's the irons that are lapped and nitrided, not the housings.