flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Yeah, it more then passingly crossed my mind, but I do not relish the idea. But, it does make complete sense. That being said, the springiness was good as was the compression. I am usually alone in the hangar alone, so pulling the shaft to reinstall by myself was doable but a pain. Course I may be able to recruit some help, I have not alienated all my friends yet by spending most my time building an airplane......

On the bright side, the idea of cracking open a rotary presents no concern really anymore. 'Bout the same as removing a tire :-) In some ways, I am kinda happy of this comfort level. See, even though I could never go into politics, since I am a Libertarian AND since I actually have opinions, I can spin a story.

Chris

From: Rotary motors in aircraft [flyrotary@lancaironline.net] on behalf of Bobby J. Hughes [bhughes@qnsi.net]
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2011 8:21 AM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Apex seal update cont

Chris,

How do the front rotor seals look? Due to the damage and missing parts I would go ahead and do a full teardown.

Bobby

From: Rotary motors in aircraft [mailto:flyrotary@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Chris Barber
Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2011 8:49 PM
To: Rotary motors in aircraft
Subject: [FlyRotary] Apex seal update cont

I pulled the rear iron tonight to check the apex seals. Luckily, the apex seals themselves look good. Also, the combustion chamber looks as I think it should. However, I did find some issues.

The one I was expecting was that the apex springs were flat. Also, one of the apex corner seal plugs was broken as was a small piece off of one of the side seals. No damage was apparent inside the chamber so I think they broke as I was taking them out. Donno, but there is not apparent damage inside at all.

Also, the springs for the corner seals were flat.

The really strange thing to me is that the rubber apex corner seal plugs, the little rubber inserts that seems to hold the assemble together were gone....none of the six were anywhere to be found. This engine has not been overheated to any abusive degree, but the inserts were gone.

I am still waiting for the Mazda apex seal springs to arrive from Mazdatrix. I will now need to order the rubber inserts as well and the corner springs and wait for them to arrive.

Thoughts?

I on an RX7 forum that some of the early RA springs are now known to be weak links.

I am attaching some photos. Note, the springs are laying on their sides.

All the best,

Chris Barber

Houston