The Cal-look Lounge

Racers, i'm crushing o-ring after o-ring when mounting the fly-wheel. No matter what i do, heat, lubricant, etc. Common problem?  It's driving me nuts. What are youre experiences ?

Harry

what brand o ring? and what brand flywheel?  can you show us what it looks like still in the flywheel groove after you took the flywheel off?

cheers richie

Maybe a stupid question, but how do you notice a crushed O-ring? End play which increases?

Jesse, i found this out when turning the flywheel, after enplay is set, i would get different readings on my dial.
Pics, later.

Harry

Thanks Richie. Victor-Reinz 0-ring, german flywheel, pics will follow. I have a hunch what causes the problem...

I think you have to smooth the edge on your crankshaft. It`s probably too sharp and "grabs" the o-ring when you mount your flywheel.

I know John CNC (mebejo) also modified my flywheel for the O-ring. Will take a pic of it tonight!

Thanks Berger, that was my first thought also. It's smooth.

Crankshaft end has a smooth radius, the flywheel however has been machined deeper on the o-ring side. On the  bad pic you can see a small black dot on the bottom side of the o-ring groove. This section cannot mate with the crank perfectly so i think this is causing my o-ring problem, and gives me different readings for endplay when i turn the crank. Hope this makes sence.

Harry

PS, i checked some no brand o-rings today, most have "hairs" inside/outside that can cause many people the same problem.

Do you have a picture of the crankshaft end?

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Seems to me that the grove isn't at the very bottom of the flywheel?

I think it`s to sharp. Grind the edge so it`s completely "round", no angles. That`s my advice  ;)

Jon, i checked some other flywheels and the groove is never at the bottom. There's always that second step before crank and flywheel mate. Otherwise the o-ring cannot "seat".

Harry

Thanks Berger, i will.

Harry

I agree,
and also, use the graphite coated O-rings like Elring used to sell.
The Elring USA ones that come in their gasket kits are horrible, not even round in section.

Ditto.
It's that sharp edge on the crank that's doing it.

Measure up an o-ring, then go to your local hydraulics store and buy some.  The quality is vastly superior.

Why? so are you saying that the flywheel was machined in the area the crank fits into deeper that normal? was the end of the flywheel machined to compensate for this? to keep the correct distance for end play.
If so the o ring is now moving further up the end of the crank when you fit the flywheel and trying to twist itself around,do you fit it with the crank end dry?a little oil would help,its not ment to sit up that far on the crank end in my opinion,be carefull if you "round off " the end of the crank to keep it even,I ave had no problems for a long while,just using the regular Elring supplied o ring that comes in ther gasket sets.
Hopefully you find the sloution and can finish up your engine soon :)

cheers richie

Richie, youre correct. The flywheel has been machined deeper because the balancer didn/t like the mating of both surfaces. Normally i had never a problem with Victor Reinz / Elring gasket sets with the 0-ring supplied. Enough boring you all, back to my other topic Get 'R Done.

Thanks again all.
Harry

PS, of course i lubrcate the 0-ring with in this case moly, teflon spray whatever.