1 piece apex seal

Waffles · 03-14-2011, 07:44 PM

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 · 03-21-2011, 12:54 AM

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 · 03-21-2011, 01:30 PM

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 · 03-22-2011, 08:01 PM

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 · 03-22-2011, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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).

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

NoDOHC · 03-23-2011, 09:57 PM

Here is a carbon apex seal from Mazdatrix

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 · 03-24-2011, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoDOHC

... 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?

03-14-2011, 07:44 PM	#1
Waffles Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St. Louis Posts: 55 Rep Power: 15	1 piece apex seal 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?

03-22-2011, 08:01 PM	#4
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	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). __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic)

03-23-2011, 09:57 PM	#6
NoDOHC The quest for more torque Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin Posts: 855 Rep Power: 17	Here is a carbon apex seal from Mazdatrix 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. __________________ 1986 GXL ('87 4-port NA - Haltech E8, LS2 Coils. Defined Autoworks Headers, Dual 2.5" Exhaust (Dual Superflow, dBX mufflers) 1991 Coupe (KYB AGX Shocks, Eibach lowering springs, RB exhaust, Stock and Automatic)

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03-21-2011, 01:30 PM	#3
Waffles Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: St. Louis Posts: 55 Rep Power: 15	Sounds good. Thanks for the info. Now I just need to waiting on my racing beat gasket kit and intake manifold to show up.