In a message dated 04/15/2005 04:51 Central Daylight Time,
echristley@nc.rr.com writes:

<< Could the tapered hole be 'discovered with a feeler gauge inserted through
the exhaust ports?
 
 Now would be a good time for me to 'discover' things 8*)
 
  >>


In a few lucky situations this might work. Generally the exposed sides of the
apex seal don't wear away and thus leave a ledge, or sort of the reverse of a
ridge in a piston engine. this and the goop that builds up in the groove
would make such a measurement difficult. But if there is perceptible side movement
dirty, there will be more when the groove and seal are cleaned.

On the other hand, it can be gooped solid and feel good, and still be junk.
It can go any of a number of directions. From year to year different schemes
were used in alloys and oiling methods, plus from owner to owner. A good groove
with a warn seal feels like a bad deal, when the opposite is true.

Just a few hours ago at Sun&Fun, Paul Lamar had a novice disassemble a junk
yard motor, that had no oil in it and had been sitting full of water for years.
The job started with all of the pan bolts out and when the guy turned his
back to lay down the bolts, the pan full of water fell to the floor. A big mess
right off the bat. I helped a bit with the flywheel and front pulley bolt.

The rotors looked good to me. The irons were good. The rotor housings were
good. One rotor had a fractured apex seal, with all of the parts still in the
groove. Even that rotor might have been a keeper. I had to go the Bonanza dinner
and home the next day so I didn't get to PM the whole thing.

The housings cleaned up just fine. A keeper. To look at the outside of it
(early RX-7 12A covered in slime) you wouldn't give $10.00 for it. You just never
know.

Its just like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.


Lynn E. Hanover