I don't have an air compressor at my disposal so i have to figure how to do things the old fashion way. I made a little fixture for holding the side seal at the right angle so i could fit them properly. I would normally just post a pic but all i have is a video camera........so here is a video of it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQn73KOcOJI


What method do you guys use to clearance your seals?

 

that's a nice tool make me one.

 

Nice fixture Allen how mutch time you got in to it?, I use a nail clipper like the one in the vid

 

It took me about an hour to make. Back home i have a cut up rotor with a pencil grinder mounter to it but it removes material a little faster than am comfortable with. Really, fingernail clippers

 

I use one of those piston ring clearance tools. Just a cheapie.

Basically has a table with a small thin stone you rotate by hand (imagine a miniature chop saw, hand powered ) and popped a couple rivets in the little table to hold the seals at the right angle. grind a bit, fit, measure, repeat.

I like your little deal though, very neat

 

Damn, i never thought of that. Thats a damn good idea. What kind of finish does it leave? The ring fitter i have has a really coarse stone.

 

not bad, I'd say about equivalent to 180 sandpaper. Thats actually a good point though, I wonder whats "too rough"?

 

damn, I was expecting another homemade jet engine

 

Allen, very nice!

I try to get the exact shape using a dremel and a familiar fixture.

Barry

 

Nice fixture barry, you've always got neat stuff.

Do you find it difficult to get the 2nd end of the seal square with that setup, or is the stone rounded to allow that?

I'm just picturing trying to feed the side seal in the slot and keep a hold of it without grinding the end on an angle...

 

Thanks Classicauto, I don't want to hijack Allen thread, but....

I usually remake the factory end perfect then cut the remaining end.

I use a small dental pick to hold the side seal lightly against the stone from the adjacent corner seal bore. Depending on the rotor fixture’s side seal length, flush can be very close.

A .001" cut takes about 15 sec. You get almost 100% contact so break-in wear is nil and clearances stay tight.

Barry

 

Nah just kidding , I live it all to my engine builder. Good idea and very nice fixture though !

 

Not at all, i get a lot of ideas that way. Great setup BTW!!!

 

here is one ive seen before at the summit and jegs catalog....

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

 

nice set up.

 

This is the "wish I'd seen it before I bought the one I have" deal


https://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalo...nringfiler.php

 

LOL !!! You really seen with not much to do at work , put a patent to the little tool that you created and start selling it . you may make some extra money... Now days extra pocket change will come handy .

 

Man Allen, you really need to get your car at the track. Your losing it. LOL. Good idea's guys. I think the one with the old rotor and the dremel is the best idea because it cuts the side seal with the exact precise angle to the corner seal and thus like was mentioned ,very little break in wear is needed thus a tighter seal and more compression.