3.4 Project Begins!!!! - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

tholyoak · 03-13-2009, 01:01 PM

I understand exactly what you did, I just personally would have never done it that way.

-Todd

JAAY · 03-13-2009, 01:05 PM

I just wanted to have as few connections as possible.

schoir · 03-13-2009, 03:57 PM

Jaay:

I don't know exactly how far you have gotten, but, if the engine is not yet installed, you might want to consider checking the IMS bearing for wear or play.

Here is a link to a video produced by Charles Navarro of LN Engineering, which will give you a good idea on what is involved:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvLRMGs-Ti8

If you have the single-row bearing on your new engine, you can retrofit an upgraded, severe duty ceramic bearing without tearing down the engine.

You only have to remove the flywheel and the IMS flange to examine and/or replace the bearing.

IMHO, it is well worth the effort for the peace of mind it will afford you.

Regards, Maurice.

JAAY · 03-15-2009, 01:27 PM

Schoir,

I did look through their site. Seems like a good thing to do. It also seems to be alot of money. I know at this point whats another 600 bux. Do you have any experience on any of these? I don't know what is involved in pulling the piece off that there speaking of. The motor is not yet in the car. I was waiting for a pilot bearing to come, which finally got here. Let me know if you have any more info on this. Thanks for the concern.

Jay

schoir · 03-15-2009, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAAY

Schoir,

I did look through their site. Seems like a good thing to do. It also seems to be alot of money. I know at this point whats another 600 bux. Do you have any experience on any of these? I don't know what is involved in pulling the piece off that there speaking of. The motor is not yet in the car. I was waiting for a pilot bearing to come, which finally got here. Let me know if you have any more info on this. Thanks for the concern.

Jay

Seems like good insurance to me to install the retrofit kit, and it makes the most sense since the engine is out of the car. Their bearing is a severe duty ceramic bearing, coupled with a beefier support stud (which is weak in the original because it also has a deep groove cut into it, as well as the stud being too thin for comfort) and a beefier flange.

At the very least, remove the IMS flange and the nut on the end of the support stud that you will find when you remove the flange. You can then manipulate the support stud the same way that Charles Navarro does in his video and see if there is any axial or radial play in the bearing.

He also recommends that you remove the seal on the front of the bearing to permit better cooling and lubrication. His theory is that the sealed bearing's grease gets washed out by fuel contaminated oil, especially if there are long oil change intervals involved and the seal prevents fresh oil (from the engine) from getting in there to lubricate it. The result is what is pictured in the pitted and corroded ball bearings in his video. I can't vouch for this approach, but I certainly would investigate it further as it seems to be logical: if the original grease in the bearing gets washed out and there is no access for the engine oil to lubricate the bearing, it seems logical that the bearing would not hold up.

If you have a single-row bearing, after you remove the flange and the nut you can extract the bearing after removing the metal circlip that holds it captive. I would call Jake Raby or Charles Navarro directly as they are very helpful.

If you have a double-row bearing, it can't be replaced without engine teardown, but, at least if you inspect it as described above, it will give you peace of mind that it's stable.

IMO it's better to at the very least know the condition of the IMS before re-installing the engine.

Regards, Maurice.

JAAY · 03-16-2009, 07:42 AM

I have a dual row bearing in this case means I cannot do there retrofit kit.

I just went out side and checked it out. There kit only works with the single row bearing. I was able to take the nut off it though and try and wiggle it around. There was no play at all. I take this as a good sign.

JAAY · 03-16-2009, 07:56 AM

I want to add to this whole project...

This would not take this long at all to do if the parts came quick and if I did not have only one day a week to mess around with it. I don't even get the full day, just a few hours here and there. I am getting married this weekend in disney world so it has been crazy. I am going to get this thing back in the car when I get back from disney. All the parts are assembled and ready to go except for putting the flywheel and clutch on and then the tranny. I am dropping off my flywheel at porsche today for the new pilot bearing to be pressed in. If you had all the parts and everything prepped I think you could do this in a long weekend.

J

schoir · 03-16-2009, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAAY

I have a dual row bearing in this case means I cannot do there retrofit kit.

I just went out side and checked it out. There kit only works with the single row bearing. I was able to take the nut off it though and try and wiggle it around. There was no play at all. I take this as a good sign.

JAAY:

Definitely a VERY good sign that there was no play. Glad you checked it out, it should give you some peace of mind.

Regards, Maurice.