I'm soliciting for the best technique for installing the stock three piece apex seals when rebuilding a 13B-REW engine. I'm going under the assumption that the three pieces need to be superglued together for rotor buildup. If you differ, please reply with your prefered buildup techniques (as it applies to the apex seals)?

Having installed 1-piece ceramic seals since my first rebuild, I've been somewhat spoiled by the relative simplicy of one piece seal rotor buildup, and equally perplex by just how difficult it is with the stock three piece seals.

Flyin, Racin, and Buildin Rotary Beasts,
Carlos A. Iglesias
'93 RX-7 R-1 (Racin')
'95 M3 Sport (Drivin')
'01 Pathfinder SE (Towin')
http://www.the-rotary.net

 

But Carlos, I thought that you were a die hard 1-piece ceramic seal guy-- what the hell is this world coming to?

 

You can use locktite(same type used on bolts) to hold the pieces together.

 

ArtOfWar2: I'm practically a poster child for one-piece (Ianetti) ceramics! That why they're stayin with me in Mark Valskis' old car/ my new ride. The stock seals are going into my old car that will be for sale this month.

Project84: Thanks for the technique. May try it for comparison to superglue. So the only question left is do you put the seal in during rotor buildup or after the rotors are in the the peripherial housing and then just slide the springs in?

Flyin, Racin, and Buildin Rotary Beasts,
Carlos A. Iglesias
'93 RX-7 R-1 (Buildin')
'93 RX-7 R-1 (Sellin')
'95 M3 Sport (Drivin')
'01 Pathfinder SE (Towin')
http://www.the-rotary.net

 

Only glue the trangular end piece. Install the apex seals in the rotor groove using lots of vaseline to hold them in place to keep them from falling out. Put the rotor on the end plate. Put the rotor housing over the rotor. Install the springs one at a time. Finish by installing the corner piece.

 

i've never had to use glue or locktite, thus far ... a nice rubber band (or one of the old water O-rings) usually works for me. however, there's more than one way to do most things ... so i guess you have a few choices now.