How Tight...FP Damper - RX-7 Question

Dear Friends of the Rotary,

How tight is one supposed to make an 86-88 RX-7 Fuel Pulsation damper. Mere mortal tight or super human strength tight? No torque specs available (big daddy 22mm open end wrench required).

Thanks,

Ray

I may be able to get you an answer from Bob Mabell (Maybell? I've never seen it written), but it'll take a day or two at the least as I have to relay it through a coworker of his.

In reply to ReverendDexter:

Thanks. I've got some time before I reassemble the intake manfiold(s).

Did you buy an 86-88 FP damper or are you reusing your old one? Check it from time to time, because the 86-88 FP dampers are leak-prone, and it can create an engine fire hazard. Next time, replace it with a 89-91 FP damper; it'll bolt right in.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/c-pulsation.htm

I can check the torque specs from the Hayne's manual Thursday or Friday. I am on vacation right now and I don't have it handy. I have the FSM as PDF's on my laptop, but I don't see any torque specs.

In reply to RexSeven:

Thanks for the offer to check the Hayne's manual. I have one...no spec in there

I cheaped out ant got a replacement '86-'88 FP Damper from Mazdatrix. The '89+ with the integral fuel rail is $226.

Have you had any luck sorting out your idle problem?

Are you using thread sealant?

I know nothing mazda's, however I have stripped enough parts to know not to always trust torque settings on certain things. On a fuel rail I would be very worried about leaks, so I would use a liquid thread sealant and tighten to where I feel it wouldn't leak, then check it allot.

If it is a npt thread, you tighten more to depth than torque, AN I have discovered do not need to be that tight as they are easy to strip. You can always tighten it more but you can't put those threads back on.

Interesting idea on the sealant. The Mazda FSM and the Haynes manual don't mention it. There FP Damper has a threaded "bolt end" which passes through a fuel line banjo bolt and then threads into the fuel rail. Copper "crush washers" are used on either side of the banjo bolt.

racer_ace wrote: I cheaped out ant got a replacement '86-'88 FP Damper from Mazdatrix. The '89+ with the integral fuel rail is $226.

Make sure to check the FP damper from time-to-time. If it's not pulsating, it's at risk of leaking.

racer_ace wrote: Have you had any luck sorting out your idle problem?

No luck. I have been able to get the idle to stop bouncing for the most part by adjusting the fast idle screw, but I haven't had time to get under the hood. I purposely took Thursday thru Sunday off from work to get to it, but the forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms on all 4 days... and I have no garage.