Freeplay check only requires that the front stack be assembled correctly and the front bolt torqued.  The rear counterweight is generally installed before the front assembly so that the

counterweight can be used to hold the crank while you torque up that front bolt. I use a deep socket wedged between the counterweight and the head of a case bolt. 

Bolt a long piece of square stock the engine across the bell housing mating surface and let the end of the tube rest on the floor. Get some help torqueing that nut. Sit the engine on the floor if you have to.

End play is controlled only by the thickness of the spacer sleeve. Shorter sleeve less play.

Longer sleeve more play.  The assembly is done in the vertical so that the sleeve drops through the center hole of the thrust bearing.     Piece of cake........Lynn E. Hanover

 

 

  

 

In a message dated 2/21/2017 4:25:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, flyrotary@lancaironline.net writes:

Greetings all,

 

I am in the process of reassembling my Renesis after reading all that I could and reviewing videos ( including Bruce's, Mazdatrix (I think) multiple on-lines also until I (and my log suffering wife) am almost sick of them. ( I have the mazda manual)

 

For some reason, after the through bolts are torqued, nobody seems to want to put the rear counterweight and nut on permanently before inverting the engine and checking and adjusting for freeplay. (it is necessary to tighten the nut there anyway for that.) Have I missed something?

 

It seems to me that when the engine is inverted, since the front eccentricshaft/ bearing is fixed with the front stationary gear and the rear one with the rear stationary gear/bearing that this would be a wonderful opportunity to place the counterweight, key and torque the nut from hell to its final.

 

Any ideas on why this is a bad idea? or is this relegated to later because most of these videos are made with manual transmission flywheels?

 

Thanks

 

Rich