OhBeanie

Im getting ready to start my engine rebuild and I have a couple of questions for experienced builders!

1. What is the best way to prepare my Iron's for the rebuild? I've done some research but I just want some other opinions and maybe someone has a better way!

2. Best way to cut Side Seals? I have a dead rotor and probably gonna do the Rotor Jig method but I'm also open to better options!

3. After the side seals are cut, best way to cut the Side Seal Springs? I'm guessing it's the same way you cut the Side Seals but they seem so flimsy I feel like they would bend while I'm trying to grind them down.

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

Some food for thought;
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tec...engine-231883/

OhBeanie

I appreciate it but that thread is just trying to scare some one to not doing it yourself. The Info in that thread answers zero of my questions above.

LukeAPEX

This is the first time I've heard of cutting side seal springs.
Who told you that this is something that should be done?

I didn't see that mentioned anywhere in the FSM.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

professional Renesis engine builders generally don’t rely on the FSM

LukeAPEX

I'm definitely not a professional engine builder. Not even a hobbyist. What's worse than a hobbyist anyway?
But is cutting the side seal springs actually a thing people do?
Is it possible that they are too long when fully compressed and that could potentially break them?

CaymanRotary

Generally side seals need some adjustment. It's better to sand them rather than cut them to size. Tolerance is .003"

LukeAPEX

Wait, so I shouldn't have to hammer the side seals into place?
We're talking about the springs for the side seals, not the seals themselves.

CaymanRotary

They should be fine without too much modification. The problem with the RX8 is that it is very difficult to measure this clearance in an RX-8 rotor due to the taper on the outside of the seal. Side seals and springs should be ordered using the code stamped on the rotors.


l

LukeAPEX

I feel like I'm in a foreign country and no one can understand me.

SPRINGS people, SPRINGS. That's what I've been questioning this whole time as per OP's 3rd point.
Yes I know that the seals need to be cut to clearance. I spent many hours doing that for my rebuild.

But the key word here is SPRINGS. The flimsy little zigzags that go underneath the seals.
I'd like to know where the OP heard that the springs should be cut as I've never heard of this before and would like to know if this is something I should be doing in future rebuilds.