KawasakiTrax Community
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: mswyka on April 21, 2018, 02:37:57 PM
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NOS engine assembled, in storage for 35 years, never run.
Should the crank seals be changed?
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Start with a leak down test, put some hours on it and test it again. The rubber is still old rubber.
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I don't think I would trust them, even if they held with a leak down test. It wouldn't be a terrible job to just remove the bottom crankcase half and change them for the peace of mind.
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Sounds like good counsel.
But this made me ask myself another question regarding replacing crank seals.
What is the true age of the replacement crank seals that we are buying? I like to think that they are new, but is it possible, in some instances that I could be buying 30 year old seals?
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Good point. With most things related to vintage sleds I would prefer OEM stuff.....thing such as pistons, etc. But a rubber item is a whole different ball game. Even if they are sealed up in a plastic wrapper, they are nearly 40 years old
I have had great luck with Winderosa gaskets and seal kits in all my sleds....literally all of my sleds listed below have Winderosa crank seals.
But, I know some very knowledgeable people on here have had trouble with them, mainly with the head gaskets leaking.
I'm going with Winderosa seals on the new Invader that I picked up, but I may tear into it enough to look at the top end, then I would probably prefer OEM gaskets for the cylinder base and head gaskets.
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Which engine? If it were a NOS 550, I would change them. But if it were say, a Drifter motor ;) , I would run it. Two reasons, I believe the fanners are more forgiving than the ultra high performance liquid 550’s. And it’s relatively low risk, drifter parts are much easier/cheaper than 550 stuff.
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I wouldn't be afraid of running seals that are 40yrs old as long you check them over.