300guy

after I installed the upper balance shaft in my 968 (new bearings, spacer and gaskets) I put the pulley on and was able to turn it by hand, but its certainly not free-spinning. It took a fair bit of effort to turn it.

Assembly lube was used, and hardware was torqued to spec.

Is this normal?

Yabo

For what it's worth, Mine was tight like this, and it turned out fine. I believe similar issues ahve been posted a few times before by others. You are sure you put the correct seal in the upper vs lower right? they are different by like a mm.

IPC

There should be little resistance on the gear. Did you put the balance shaft covers on the correct side, the side it came off of? There is a guide pin that holds the bearing half, if you did not get the bearing in correctly that will also cause the problem.

300guy

thanks for the responses guys!

I'm not CERTAIN that I put the correct balance shaft cover onto the original side (any way to tell?). The cover with more corrosion was put onto the lower balance shaft.

I am certain that the bearing was seated poperly with respect to the roll-pin.

I am certain that the correct seal was used (yes - the OD on the two seals are different).

Kerry - you suggest removing and re-install?

thanks guys - I really want to do this correct and not have to take it apart. The engine is real easy to work on while its out of the car!

IPC

Under the part # there is a 1 one the left side and a 2 on the right.

300guy

thats 1 for the driver's side correct?

IPC

correct, odd number is drivers side.

M758

The shaft should not have any resistance. If it does the front bearing is not aligned right. Take off the front cover first and try to re align it.

300guy

Thanks for the help guys... DO and RE-DO!

But I want to get it to be done correctly thats for sure.

300guy

Joe - thanks for the information. You were correct the front cover was out of alignment. Its much better now.

The lower balance shaft was more difficult. After much re-aligning its pretty good. The balance shaft is not quite as free-spinning as the upper one... but its EASILY turned by hand - with no sprocket on the front.

Joe - this is not the first time that you've been extremely helpful. I owe you a beer!

Yabo

One question,

You used the loctite stuff to seal the housing, right?

If so, did you scrape it off and redo it everytime you readjusted? Just wondering incase I'm ever there.

300guy

I did use the loctite.. however - it takes a bit of time to setup (cure)... I maybe spent <30min adjusting therefore I did not have to re-seal each time.

Of course - I had to completely remove the housing to scrape the loctite off from when I originally installed it several days ago.

M758

No problem. I am just sharing my experinces. I have rebuilt 3 of these motors and I had a similar issue on one of my builds. It just did not feel right and I had to redo it as well. The one thing about these motors is while they are actually rather simple they are GERMAN. That means that they are not supposed to wacked in to shape with large hammers or lots of grinding. If something does not seem to fit right on assembly it is because there is something wrong. Slowly take it apart and try again.