998 centre main strap thrust washers
Turbo Mini Forums

Hello all, I have had the centre main cap machined down to accommodate a centre main cap strengthener. I dont remember the thrust washers being able to swivel side to side when i took it apart. Please can some one tell me if its ok for the thrust washers to move with the change of direction of the crank? You can see that the tabs from the washers are not pointing the same way. End float is good. they dont spin right round they just move say .5-1cm back and forth. So if the crank is spinning in one direction they wont move. I think the slot for the tab have been machined out to make room for the main cap strengthener. The shape stops them spinning right round on my main cap. They are new thrust washers.

Help?

Edited by gdowle on 20th Jul, 2011.

How much have you had machined off the cap?

Hi

Unlike the 1275's when you machine the small bore main cap you remove the locating feature for the thrust washers its been covered a few times on here, what you need to do is have the locating grove machined into the centre main cap.

you can just about make out the slot in these pics.

This damage resulted from my machinist putting a slot in my cap that was wider than the standard feature on the cap. which allowed the thrusts to move like you you describe just not as much.

in the top right photo you can just about make out the remains of the old slot in the bearing cap, its also noticable how much bigger the slot is in the strap, just make sure the slot is the right width as its an expensive lesson to learn, as this cost me a new machined crank and block!





i'll post a pic later of how my new cap has been machined up.

Luke

Edited by 998turbomini25 on 20th Jul, 2011.

Yes as above, been covered. don't use it as it is otherwise you'll scrap your block and most likely the crank too.

I have located my thruts by using dowels, works fine.

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

Could you drill and tap the main cap and screw them in place.

Ala Force Racings oil fed thrust mod? (don't forget the £15 royalty fee)

Whilst at it you could oil feed them if using a heavy pre-verto clutch.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.