So afterndoing lots of reading, I decided that I'd superglue my goopy 2pc apex seals before installing. I glued them using a nice flat granite surface, and they came out aligned nicely. I noticed on 2 of the seals, that the small end piece is sitting about .003 lower at the sealing edge than the longer piece. I realize that they are supposed to break apart on torquing of the housings, but will this cause problems? Should I break it apart and try again?

Thanks!
Justin

 

the idea of gluing them it to keep them in place during assembly of the engine. in ur case, there shouldn't be any problems.

 

Thanks man, that's what I hoping!

 

How much super glue do you use? Only a drop in the middle or just a little along the whole side? I'm kind of worried since I read someone that 3 out of 6seals never broke apart in over a year.

 

sounds like a bogus attempt to blame the glue on a build issue. you can usually hear the seal snap apart while torquing the tension bolts down, if not the heat from the engine will immediately burn off the glue.

unless he is using some sort of aerospace adhesive that is able to withstand 1000*F, normal off the shelf superglue is not that strong..

 

I ended up using just a TINY drop for each. I tested one of them after glueing, and was surprised at how much force it took to break it apart. Can't really say that I heard them pop when I cranked down the tension bolts, hope that's not a bad sign!


Justin

 

depends on the seal manufacturer, most aftermarket seals are clearanced and have more breathing room than OEM does, unfortunately this also means they take longer to break in properly.

 

but even with that said and like what Karack said early, unless he/she is using some NASA space glue the heat is going to break down the glue and free the seals.

 

 

Gluing two piece seals? I find it's unnecessary with 3-piece.
Slide the seal(s) in.
Slide the springs in.
Put the corner seal in place.
Done.

 

sometimes it is necessary with say a bridge port where the housing was compromised in order to get the most from the porting and the apex seals have to face a certain direction. everyone has their own style of assembly, i have always done it the way you mentioned but sometimes that isn't possible. one piece ceramics get the best treatment, rubber bands!