I'm So Damn Mad At Myself!

Rot 911 · 12-13-2003, 08:09 AM

Well I set aside this weekend to get the engine internals including sealing the case halves done. To make it even more inviting, we have a blizzard outside right now so there is not much else to do other than shovel snow. Everything moving along nicely until time to install the flywheel seal. Except I don't have a flywheel seal. Apparently the rebuild wizard missed this step in the ordering process (along with the oil pump seals, but I ordered them separately). So now things have ground to a halt on Saturday morning. I placed the order (and am paying out the ass for 3-day shipping), but now I am tempted to install the crank and just install the flywheel seal after the case halves are mated. Wayne's rebuild book shows installing the flywheel seal on the crank when installing the crank, but in the past I have replaced flywheel seals without splitting the cases. What says the collective? Should I just be patient and wait for the seal to arrive or move ahead and install the flywheel seal after the case halves are mated?

makaio · 12-13-2003, 08:12 AM

That sucks. I have no insight Kurt, other than I'm in the ame boat. I was going to order a clutch cable this week, so I could install it this weekend, and I dropped the ball.

MotoSook · 12-13-2003, 08:16 AM

Hi Kurt..don't stress man! That seal can be successfully installed after the case is bolted up. We did that with Chris' engine, and we are working on a second race engine with the same assembling process.

If done right, I think I prefer the after case bolting method as the chance of pinching the seal is greater before case bolting. It's hard enough to get the case together, worry about Loctite cure time, etc,...

Just one less thing to worry about.

I hope you have second set of hands. It'll make getting the case together easier. THe cure time on the loctite is pretty generous, so don't rush. Make sure you lay everything out (nuts, bolts, o-rings) and have a process in mind before you apply the case sealant. It'll be less stressful and you'll not forget anythign important. Check the chains, the oil pump seals...you know...check then check again, before you mate the halfs.

Good luck.

john walker's workshop · 12-13-2003, 08:19 AM

no problem installing it later.

makaio · 12-13-2003, 08:22 AM

Now that you have your answer, it's back to work Kurt. Quick, spring is coming

Rot 911 · 12-13-2003, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Souk
If done right, I think I prefer the after case bolting method as the chance of pinching the seal is greater before case bolting. It's hard enough to get the case together, worry about Loctite cure time, etc,...

That's exactly what I was thinking, which made me ask the question! Seems like if you put it on prior to mating the case halves it can slide around on the end of the crank. Thanks for the moral support. As for the second set of hands, my wife is going to get some 911 case mating instructions!

John, thanks for seconding the install later vote. Got my heads back from you in the mail yesterday and they look great!

piedogger · 12-13-2003, 08:23 AM

I don't know if it is the same but on a/c VW engine you don't put in the flywheel seal until after you set the flywheel end play which I usually check both before and after assemblly of the case halves.

KTL · 12-13-2003, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Just be sure to get the latest, correct flywheel seal . . .

Share that part number Brian!

Kurt, I have that flywheel seal install tool if you want to borrow it. Everybody's gotta use this tool once just to see how trouble free it is. I'm not saying everybody should buy it. It's silly expensive (over $100), but I got mine cheap. Everybody gets by just fine without this tool. Still, i'd like to share the wealth........

I will say that one advantage to this tool is it lets you set the depth of the seal very easily and avoids any chance of crooked-ing the seal.

KTL · 12-13-2003, 01:08 PM

Thanks Dude!

Bob's Flat-Six · Bob's Flat-Six's Garage

Kevin,
Thank you, Dude.
I might have done something lame if you hadn't chimed in.
Like refinishing perfectly good stock Fuchs

I had her out today for the first spirted run with the guy's and no rubbing either. I did have the camber set a little more neg. front and rear. Sorry for the OT but thanks.
PS, If you've been shoveling snow don't look at the pic's from the Malibu run today,It might do you in.

KTL · 12-13-2003, 01:40 PM

No problem Bob. Car looks menacing with the low ride height and bigger Fuchs on there. I like the anodized look because it appears purposeful "race ready" like some of the older vintage wheels.

No shoveling for us yet. Any snow we've gotten in the SW Chi. burbs has been little or none. Lucking out so far.

So who wants to borrow that flywheel seal installer that's collecting dust in my garage?

MotoSook · 12-13-2003, 02:37 PM

Kevin, we'll want to borrow it soon.

KTL · 12-13-2003, 05:51 PM

I offered it last time for the racecar's inaugural rebuild. Otto blew me off.................

You guys just want me to come over so you can make fun of my car some more (or lift something heavy)

Just kidding about both of the above statements! Let me know when you need it.

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

Kurt,

I am surprised you didn't end up getting a complete bottom end gasket set. That seems way cheaper than ordering each gasket individually and prevents forgetting one.

And as everyone said, I would put in the flywheel and the pully seal after mating the case in anyway. That prevents pinched seals and that's how it's done when replacing the seals.

Ingo

speeder · speeder's Garage

Kurt, I would definitely vote for installing crank seal after case is assembled. Way too many other things to pay attention to while mating case halves, IMO. The whole thing is really a zen experience if approached properly, and it will turn out great. I actually really look forward to putting my case together, It was the turning point when my motor began getting put together. Tyson was invaluable w/ help and advice, my motor doesn't leak at all. Here is a picture for you:

And here is Bob's car from today. The paint on this car looks as good in person as it does in pictures:

Rot 911 · 12-14-2003, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ischmitz
Kurt,

I am surprised you didn't end up getting a complete bottom end gasket set. That seems way cheaper than ordering each gasket individually and prevents forgetting one.

Apparently either Wayne's rebuilding wizard doesn't cover the bottom end gasket set or I missed it when I was ordering parts. I did order the complete gasket set shown in the rebuilding wizard, but it doesn't include the bottom end seals.