> Ken Welter wrote:
Here is the final report on the seizure I had when I blew
an
oil line.
As I predicted there is no damage to the e-shaft or
bearings
and in
fact I will use the main bearings over again but the side
housings
and rotors are trashed do to the expansion of the rotors do
to
loss
of cooling to the rotors.
Also the corner seals, apex seals and rotor housings are
in
good
shape but the side seals and the oil rings are also trashed.
Ken
The rotor only has to get hot enough to loose the press fit on the gear, and
the gear will wiggle out and touch the iron. This happens from
time to time in
racing if the oil cooling is not up to par. You can run a long time at 220
degrees or higher on the oil temp, or turn up 9,500 RPM. but not both.
The damage to the iron, and after that to the rotor is a simple lubrication
failure. After the gear walks out a few thousandths and either the gear side
wear land or the nongear side wear land, start to run on the iron with the
lubrication running out the damage is done. Usually the seals keep the rotor
centered (about) between the irons. Those lands seldom touch
anything. On some you
can see scratches from crap in the oil going through that gap.
If you run over hot oil and it happens to you that the rotor is
too thick and
is dragging a bit, just put the rotor in a press and push it back
in. Or, you
can sit it on a piece of plywood, put a piece of aluminum plate on the gear
side, and whack it with a big hammer, like a hand sledge. Be sure that those
land areas are smooth as silk. They are bearings that you are not
supposed to
use. You can shine them up with 600 wet or dry silicone carbide
glued to a DA
orbital sander and solvent running on them.
Racing Beat will remove the gear and reinstall it with an internal snap ring
that will prevent the gear from walking out ever again. But if you are not
racing, it is pointless.
The rotor clearance idea of shaving off the sides in a taper, is
to give more
room for the rotor when screaming the engine and the crank flex and the
racing clearances stack up and let a corner seal area on the rotor
touch the iron.
Not usually a problem below 9,000 RPM in a 13B or 9,500 in a 12A. Unless of
course, you dump in a 100 HP nitrous shot for takeoff. That crank
flex problem
can be moved way up the RPM range by removing rotor and
counterbalance weight.
In the case where there was a period of time where there was no oil pressure
and wide open throttle, I would replace the bearings and destroy the
(damaged?) bearings, so that they never find their way back into
another engine.
Lynn E. Hanover
If you make a two piece e-shaft like the 20B you could probably get a center
main bearing in a two rotor engine for racing purposes.
Paul Lamar
No saving these rotors Lynn as all the seals are welded solid into
the rotors, yes I guess I shouldn't be a cheep skated and should
replace the bearing.
I just pulled a core motor down and starting to rebuild it and I
cant believe what good shape its in and best part is I got it free
from someone that was cleaning his garage.
Ken
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