----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2005 6:57
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Latest on the
Motor Trouble
Latest status on the engine
problem:
Unfortunately a breakdown in one of the
households most important appliances ( in the wife's view), i.e. - the
washing machine precluded me getting the engine unbuttoned today. Got
as far as getting the flywheel nut off when got side tracked.
However, here are some interesting
tidbits. Al told me he could not find an NGK B9EQV - odd I
thought- since I purchased some. Well when I opened up the tool box
there as plain as day was B9EGV - the CORRECT PLUG - I am beginning to feel
like I am in the twilight zone. All four -all are the
B9EGV!
So the right plug - so how come the problem or
was it all an figment of my troubled mind?
No figment about the problem, I could better
examine the apex seals through the exhaust with a bright light. I
found one apex seal shattered into three pieces, one stuck down as if
springs are broken and one which appears to move normally in its slot, but
has nicks. Well as we all know when two of the apex seals are gone on
a rotor they might as well all three be gone.
Now here is where it gets a bit more spooky - I
took one of the B9EGV plugs and screw them into an 86 NA rotor housing
(thanks for the suggestion, George - down under) I have laying around.
I then measured from the inside of the housing to the ground electrode of
the plug - hold onto your hats - it measured 7.5 mm! I could be off by
a mm but certainly places the electrode no where close to the chamber
(relative speaking).
So either the 91 turbo housings (will find out
tomorrow) have shorter sparkplug holes OR the plugs had nothing to do with
the problem. Possibly some other FOD item - but I use no nuts or
screws any place in the induction system that would cause them to fall off
into the runners.
I've already reported that the next most likely
candidate - pieces of the plastic plenum were a negative as all pieces are
still in place.
I really hate to end the day without getting
the bottom of this problem, but just too beat to tackle it. Sitting
here in front of the computer with a cool brew - which is something I don't
ever recall doing before (not the drinking, and not the computer - but both
together!)
I am taking photos as I disassemble the
engine. It took me 15 minutes once I had the engine on the work stand
to get Tracy's gearbox, damper plate, flex plate and flywheel nut off.
Next comes the flex plate, my broken-bolt shield and then the 17 tension
bolts (guess I better remember to put heat shrink on them).
Anyhow, thanks to all of you who had
suggestions, comments or condolences conveyed to me. Appreciate them
all and I will keep you informed as the disassembly progresses.
Ed
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