3rd Gen General Discussion The place for non-technical discussion about 3rd Gen RX-7s or if there's no better place for your topic

Teflon washer or not on the front cover?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-28-24, 10:10 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
extreme_rotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Chester Springs, PA
Posts: 245
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Teflon washer or not on the front cover?

Hey guys,
I'm pulling my front cover off to replace the oil pump o-ring. My engine has fluxuating pressure. Sometimes it's good but most often during longer drives my oil pressure gradually decreases and hangs below 30psi at 3k and then at idle it's really, really low. So im fairly certain that o-ring is bad. Now, I'm familiar with preloading the eshaft by holding the clutch depressed the entire repair to keep that needle bearing thrust washer from moving.
My question is straightforward. On a stock 13B-REW with the standard front cover and everything, do i, or do i not want to install the teflon washer with the o-ring? I've read mixed recommendations and because this job is such a PIA, I want to ensure I reassemble it correctly. I'm 99% sure the Teflon washer is in there from the factory, but I haven't rebuilt one of these in 15 years.
thanks for your time.
Old 06-28-24, 10:33 PM
  #2  
Rotary Motoring

iTrader: (9)
 
BLUE TII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: CA
Posts: 8,253
Received 785 Likes on 520 Posts
The newer 280hp high power spec 13B-REW comes metal front cover gasket that doesnt use o-ring or teflon.

N390-10-502



The following 4 users liked this post by BLUE TII:
extreme_rotary (06-29-24), Howard Coleman (06-29-24), j9fd3s (06-29-24), neit_jnf (06-29-24)
Old 06-29-24, 09:50 AM
  #3  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
extreme_rotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Chester Springs, PA
Posts: 245
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Thank you! I was unaware of this gasket removing the requirement of the o rings, which is soooo much better!
completely unrelated question; any issue with installing short m6x1.0 studs under the engine to install the oil pan as opposed to using the bolts? Not sure if that's good, bad, or indifferent, but I certainly prefer studs over bolts. 😉
Old 06-29-24, 01:16 PM
  #4  
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary

iTrader: (17)
 
neit_jnf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Around
Posts: 3,932
Received 199 Likes on 145 Posts
I can't find it now but I saw someone worried about the metal gasket not having enough area to seal and they machined a little metal spacer that looked like a washer that would fit in the depression where the oring+teflon washer used to go and use that with the metal front cover gasket. I thought it was a non issue and not needed, my front cover just has the gasket. Thoughts?
Old 06-29-24, 01:19 PM
  #5  
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary

iTrader: (17)
 
neit_jnf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Around
Posts: 3,932
Received 199 Likes on 145 Posts
Originally Posted by extreme_rotary
Thank you! I was unaware of this gasket removing the requirement of the o rings, which is soooo much better!
completely unrelated question; any issue with installing short m6x1.0 studs under the engine to install the oil pan as opposed to using the bolts? Not sure if that's good, bad, or indifferent, but I certainly prefer studs over bolts. 😉
studs for the oil pan are great and preferred by many builders


The following users liked this post:
extreme_rotary (06-30-24)
Old 06-29-24, 07:37 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
CREEPENJEEPEN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Florida
Posts: 302
Received 45 Likes on 32 Posts
Originally Posted by extreme_rotary
Hey guys,
My engine has fluxuating pressure. Sometimes it's good but most often during longer drives my oil pressure gradually decreases and hangs below 30psi at 3k and then at idle it's really, really low. So im fairly certain that o-ring is bad.
My engine does the same thing

Could it be a number of things? Like clearances not being tight? What make you think its an oring and not a
Old 06-29-24, 10:07 PM
  #7  
Rotary Motoring

iTrader: (9)
 
BLUE TII's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: CA
Posts: 8,253
Received 785 Likes on 520 Posts
Increasing the surface area while maintaining the same clamping pressure decreases the pounds per square inch (psi) of the sealing area and increases the chance for leakage.

What I did to try to improve the seal with the metal front cover gasket is apply a very thin coat of Hondabond to both sides of the sealing surfaces.

Since it is the outer ring it is far from the oil passage and you dont have to wory about obstructing the oil passage.
The following users liked this post:
extreme_rotary (06-30-24)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dankwiz
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
5
07-11-16 10:14 PM
stuwk1
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
29
09-24-12 12:22 PM
spekdah
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
5
05-02-04 10:05 AM
Green
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
16
09-08-01 06:40 PM



Quick Reply: Teflon washer or not on the front cover?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:32 AM.