1 piece apex seal

[Waffles]

So I picked up a used engine that I tore down to check all the specs and give it a good cleaning. When I opened it I found that it had 1 piece apex seals. Does the install process differ any from the FSM? Also it appears that each apex seal has only 1 spring, is this normal for a 12a?

[diabolical1]

i tend to think the process would be the same.

what you probably have are carbon seals in that engine, and yes, 12As use one spring only.

[Waffles]

Sounds good. Thanks for the info. Now I just need to waiting on my racing beat gasket kit and intake manifold to show up.

[NoDOHC]

Be careful if those are really carbon seals (do a little research). I think that I recall that you have to glue them down in the rotor and pull start the car as they must initially contact the housing as a high speed to avoid failure (this is what I recall, but I never did it, I heard guys talking about it - 15 years ago).

[Waffles]

Be careful if those are really carbon seals (do a little research). I think that I recall that you have to glue them down in the rotor and pull start the car as they must initially contact the housing as a high speed to avoid failure (this is what I recall, but I never did it, I heard guys talking about it - 15 years ago).


Now you have me worried. Is there any sure way to tell if they are carbon. They feel metallic to me

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w302/btlfedgolf/FB2/DSCF0798.jpg
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w302/btlfedgolf/FB2/DSCF0797.jpg

[NoDOHC]

Here is a carbon apex seal from Mazdatrix

http://www.mazdatrix.com/pictures/b-engprt/carbon3m.jpg

I don't see anything on the internet about the carbon seals requiring special break-in, but Mazdatrix claims only a 20,000 mile life.

[diabolical1]

... Mazdatrix claims only a 20,000 mile life.
that being said, does anyone have any idea what a typical lifespan was for the older carbon sealed (6mm) engines?