So, the story starts with me having a 12a freshly "rebuilt" by a reputable rotary racing mechanic. I only say "rebuilt" because it was done for the previous owner and I was not present. So far so good except my new mechanical oil pressure gauge revealed low idle oil pressure and low running oil pressure (10 or less hot idle and ~48 running) so I pulled the front cover and lo and behold. The front cover o ring is pinched.
Great.
So I ordered a new one feeling pretty good about it. I even depressed the clutch pedal before loosening the eccentric shaft bolt and everything. My question is...
Is there a way to absolutely know that the rear thrust bearing has not fallen off the spacer? The motor turns very smooth no grinding (I've only turned it maybe half a turn). Also, after I took the belts off to remove the front cover I pulled on the eccentric shaft to check endplay but either I'm at a bad angle with it being in the car, or there is none.
This engine has had about 2000 miles put on it since rebuilding and there were nothing but 2 or 3 sea salt sized pieces of copperish metal in the oil pan. I'm assuming this is just from the rebuild.

 

There isn't a way I'm aware of to check the thrust washers. I've had them fall off and get crushed on retourquing almost every time I take a front cover off while the engine is in a horizontal position. I hate it with a passion.

I can tell you after you re-torque and a washer did fall off, that you will have MAD amounts of endshaft play. That's how you know you messed up.

But, I'll probably stay tuned to this thread cause I want to re-do my oil return line which of course means front cover removal.

 

end play can only be seen with an indicator. and if there was excessive end play, u can't tell it with the clutch depressed. if the bearing falls down, it wont allow the front pulley to go back in as far as it should.

 

can I ask....how big of a deal is removing that front cover?
Thx.

 

Its really not that bad. Undo motor mounts, jack up flat spot behind oil pan. Unbolt idler arm, take off all front accessories. MARK YOUR TIMING BEFORE REMOVING DISTRIBUTOR.
Took all of 6 hours.
Also wedge your clutch pedal in before taking off eccentric shaft bolt.

 

Update: new oring is in but oil pressure is unaffected. Guess I should try another gauge. The one I have now is an Autometer phantom mechanical.