87rb944

i have the intake manifold out and a clear picture of the upper BS. uppon touching the back of it i felt a round cap that actually rattles. is this normal or is there a seal behind this plate that has probably shrunk? i have a complete set of seals for the front, but couldn't find any info for the rear side, or the "inside". can't find any threads on the subject either. has anyone out there taken the whole thing appart? i'm a first timer and i would really appreciate any comments on both the upper and lower BS. thanks in advance.

pearldrum944

There is supposed to be a cork gasket for it. I think Andy (nine-44) told me that the gasket is included in the front seal kit. Attach the gasket with weather strip adhesive, and then use locktite on the bolts. Only tighten them until they start to squeeze the gasket some, if you over tighten it will leak.

theedge

The balance shaft rear seal is a really retarded design. That cap you feel is a "hockeypuck" that has a rubber o-ring around it. It shouldnt be rattling around, it sounds like the o-ring has fallen apart.

Unfortunatly, to do the rear seals means the balance shaft cover has to come off, and a belt job has to be done. Heres a rundown on it http://clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/eng-14.htm

If youre not wanting to do a belt job, there is a way around it. Find some RTV gasket maker that is oil resistant (Permatex's "The Right Stuff" will work) and gob a bunch of it around and over those little hockeypucks. Ghetto, but its been done with success.

87rb944

pearldrum, the only cork gasket i saw in a picture was at the rear of the cam assembly. on the balance shaft, there is a round cover with a recess in center and it moves/rattles to the touch.

theedge

Heres one of the hockeypucks, with a new o-ring.




Rear of the lower shaft housing.

87rb944

i would like to purchase the o ring, as i'm doing the front seals anyway. anyone with a part#, also, am i in for a lot of work/trouble by taking these covers appart? after taking all the vacuum stuff appart along with the IM, injectors,etc... the top one looks kind of easy, as for the lower BS, it looks like kind of "in there". time is not a problem, just want to do this right. TIA

87rb944

grat picture "theedge", ihave an 87' n/a, but i think these are all the same?

joseph mitro

that's a great pic of the oring. the upper balance shaft is difficult to get to, but the lower is very difficult without the engine out of the car. seal the balance shaft cover back up with red loctite, and the bolts with blue loctite, IIRC.

yes, the rear caps are all the same.

pearldrum944

Wait, yeah...nevermind. I was thinking of the cam...

87rb944

after taking the exhaust manifold and what not, i'll see if the lower BS is also rattling, but i imagine it'll have to be done also. thanks all for your word and wish me luck, maybe i'll be done by Christmas. thanks again.

theedge

Lower is the same for all 944s. The only differences with the upper are between N/As and turbos, and thats just the oil supply line and actually getting to the shaft housing (VERY hard on a Turbo).

Part numbers for the rear o-rings are "999 701 614 40".

87rb944

thanks for the p#. just went to clark's an he says to replace the bearings as well. i can get those, but he also mentions an o ring that's also used on turbos, and seats between the bearing cap and cover? i know is a lot to ask, but if anyone has that part number... TIA
well, need to find TDC, so i'll say good night and thanks everyone.

JDeitz951

You can do the lower BS cover without pulling the engine. Just remove the bolts from the right motor mount and jack the engine up a bit to clear. Since you're doing the front seals, this isn't important, but you can actually remove both BS covers, replace the rear o-rings and reseal the cover without even touching the BS belt, as long as you leave the front housings in place. I did it.

theedge

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ce+shaft+seals

Part way down is a nice list of all the various seals. Be careful during assembly, several of them are specific to each shaft, different sizes and such. As for the bearings and bushings, I replaced mine but from what I could see they didnt really need it even at 216k miles. The bushings turned into a royal PITA.

Yabo

You'll need that expensive 573 loctite or whatever number it is, that is available from pelican for 20 bucks or so for 50ml, to seal the balance shaft. Unless someone else has tried something different.