Plain Jane OEM nothing to see here rebuild

[RETed]

Originally Posted by JustJeff

Bearing replaced. I bought an automatic rear counterweight in prep for getting an ACT Streetlite flywheel.

I have two questions about my rear counterweight

I measure the distance between my fingers to confirm that it is a S5 rear counterweight?

There's no real way to discern the difference between the two?
In fact, I heard a rumor that if you order a new counterweight from Mazda, the part is identical for all FC years and the part #'s are identical - the new counterweights are NOT drilled, and you had to get them balanced yourself???
As a general rule for the counterweights - the S5 had more holes drilled in them versus the S4.
I weighted them once, and the difference was 0.2 lbs., which was the increment on my 100lbs. max digital scale.
So I think the difference will be a matter of ounces and even down to grams...?

I believe that this wear is fine, but need to make sure

Is that a groove (black line) in the counterweight???
I have NEVER seen a groove worn into the metal like that in my life.
Did you get an explanation for the groove?
That might wreck the rear oil seal?


-Ted

[JustJeff]

Originally Posted by RETed

Is that a groove (black line) in the counterweight???
I have NEVER seen a groove worn into the metal like that in my life.
Did you get an explanation for the groove?
That might wreck the rear oil seal?

Not so much a groove, it's shiny from wear...if you run your finger over it you can barely feel it. I do not know the history on it other than it came out of a 90. It's an eBay purchase, so I may not get a response to questions.

Since concerns have been raised, it was also painted, which I planned on lightly sanding off, but it has a small notch in it also. Is that small ding enough to cause balance issues?




I assume that taking it to a machine shop would then affect clearance between seal and counterweight?

[RETed]

Originally Posted by JustJeff

Not so much a groove, it's shiny from wear...if you run your finger over it you can barely feel it. I do not know the history on it other than it came out of a 90. It's an eBay purchase, so I may not get a response to questions.

Hmmm...my vision was pretty bad last night due to a horrible few days at work, so you have to excuse me a bit.
I just saw that black line and went *WHAT?*.
So the black line is caused by paint?
There should be no other reason why such a black line be on that part of the counterweight due to normal use.

I'm also a little bit worried about you stating: "if you run your finger over it you can barely feel it."
It's in constant contact with a silicone oil seal that's rotating.
It it were a perfect world, that area should be smooth.
A slight imperfection could easily destroy the oil seal in short order.

Since concerns have been raised, it was also painted, which I planned on lightly sanding off, but it has a small notch in it also. Is that small ding enough to cause balance issues?

That ding doesn't look that bad.
There are vendors that offer (re)balancing services if you're that worried.

I assume that taking it to a machine shop would then affect clearance between seal and counterweight?

You can talk to the machine shop and ask them for their advice.
Explain the situation, and they should be able to give you an answer?
A competent machine should know proper clearances for this application with this type of seal...


-Ted

[JustJeff]

Originally Posted by RETed

Hmmm...my vision was pretty bad last night due to a horrible few days at work, so you have to excuse me a bit.
I just saw that black line and went *WHAT?*.
So the black line is caused by paint?
There should be no other reason why such a black line be on that part of the counterweight due to normal use.

I'm also a little bit worried about you stating: "if you run your finger over it you can barely feel it."
It's in constant contact with a silicone oil seal that's rotating.
It it were a perfect world, that area should be smooth.
A slight imperfection could easily destroy the oil seal in short order.

That ding doesn't look that bad.
There are vendors that offer (re)balancing services if you're that worried.

You can talk to the machine shop and ask them for their advice.
Explain the situation, and they should be able to give you an answer?
A competent machine should know proper clearances for this application with this type of seal...


-Ted

Sorry about the confusion, the whole flat side of the weight had been painted (poorly) in silver.

The line is actually a shinny ring. It doesn't make a groove, just a different texture. I posted pics on "the other" forum and a couple of experienced members pretty much said "no big whoop", that it's normal wear.

I contacted the seller and was of course told, "I assure you it works perfectly, I was using it on my engine with no issues"

[RETed]

The seller is an idiot for painting that part in the first place...
I would try and strip away the paint before installing.
Even paint chips that can possible flake away can chew up the rear oil seal.
You don't want to be replacing just that seal if it does fail.


-Ted

[JustJeff]

Originally Posted by RETed

The seller is an idiot for painting that part in the first place...
I would try and strip away the paint before installing.
Even paint chips that can possible flake away can chew up the rear oil seal.
You don't want to be replacing just that seal if it does fail.


-Ted

Yeah the plan is to strip the paint off.

I wish there was one voice of opinions spoken about that ring on the counterweight. It makes me nervous thinking about the nightmare a failed rear main would cause me.

Other than choosing the flywheel the engine is ready to be assembled. I'll probably assemble it the week after this week. I'm in school for a 2nd degree and midterms are this coming week.