DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26, 2009 | 02:14 PM
  #1  
ahobbs's Avatar
Thread Starter
HELLO,GOOD MORNIN'
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,909
Likes: 0
From: Savin lives
Default DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

I dont think we have one so i decided to do it.

It's a very easy task but if everyone is as **** as i am it has to be perfect. The best way to learn is buy trial and error. I had more error with this than anything else i've done.

First time i put my block together i was good in a cylinders except number 2. i had coolant inside the combustion chamber without even starting the car up...lol

Gap in the oring was slightly to big, start over.

So we will start with what you need,

End cutting tool

mallet with a wooden end

18 gauge copper wire


this is what GE says in their instructions, Here is what i add my personal preference and you will see why

a file


Golden eagle was even impressed with what i did.

first you want to measure out a little more than what you need around the cylinder. i measured out about a 1ft per cylinder just to be safe.

you want to file your end when you make your first cut because it will make it difficult to see if you actually made the connection between the 2 copper o-rings.

not good-you can see the gap.


here's how you do it
Name:  motorswap5.jpg
Views: 11961
Size:  24.6 KB
lay the o-ring in and gently tap
Name:  motorswap3.jpg
Views: 10325
Size:  30.4 KB
Name:  motorswap4.jpg
Views: 7822
Size:  28.2 KB

once you get to the end you should the other end. this is important IMO because you will make the o-ring seal perfect. Once you get to the end file your way into place. dont cut but file it down that way when you are perfect it will slide in place just snug enough but not to tight

here is a good one, but not perfect.


Here is a perfect one with both ends filed tell me where you find the lines. looks like a complete circle with no gaps.
Name:  0523092001.jpg
Views: 8229
Size:  32.5 KB

I hope this helps people that run into problems like what i did.I like to do things myself.
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 03:38 PM
  #2  
ralph11sec's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 777
Likes: 0
From: MANILA, PHILIPPINES, philippines
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

wow great job.

how did you make the grove in the cylinder?
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 03:43 PM
  #3  
ahobbs's Avatar
Thread Starter
HELLO,GOOD MORNIN'
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,909
Likes: 0
From: Savin lives
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

the grove has to be machined down to .030 the 18 gauge wire is .040 thick
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 04:09 PM
  #4  
CerealKiller's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cali, Estados Unidos
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

GE has one on their site
http://www.goldeneaglemfg.com/includ...INGINSTALL.pdf
both DIY are ****.
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 04:16 PM
  #5  
ahobbs's Avatar
Thread Starter
HELLO,GOOD MORNIN'
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,909
Likes: 0
From: Savin lives
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

i know they do but they don't have anything about using a file. and this makes 1 less link that OUR members have to click to.

This is for the OCD at heart, people that want to be perfect because they are worried that they cant see the small gap and didn't do it right.

this makes it pretty much flawless and less of a chance to make a mistake. with filling your way down till it falls smoothly and snugly in the grove the lines o-rings will seal perfectly with no gap at all. non measurable anyway.

i like my filling technique

Last edited by ahobbs; May 26, 2009 at 04:22 PM.
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 04:27 PM
  #6  
CerealKiller's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cali, Estados Unidos
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Originally Posted by HybridcivicLS-T
i know they do but they don't have anything about using a file. and this makes 1 less link that OUR members have to click to.

This is for the OCD at heart, people that want to be perfect because they are worried that they cant see the small gap and didn't do it right.

this makes it pretty much flawless and less of a chance to make a mistake. with filling your way down till it falls smoothly and snugly in the grove the lines o-rings will seal perfectly with no gap at all. non measurable anyway.

i like my filling technique
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 04:33 PM
  #7  
formby's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 416
Likes: 0
From: Nachoville
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

what does this do?
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 04:43 PM
  #8  
ahobbs's Avatar
Thread Starter
HELLO,GOOD MORNIN'
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,909
Likes: 0
From: Savin lives
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

the o-rings if your asking.

well it will make a better headgasket seal and allow higher boost
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 04:58 PM
  #9  
SPOOLINmatt's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 0
From: North Georgia/Atlanta
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

although i agree with your method and its smart, my rings always look like picture #1 when i go to put my head on and i have never EVER had a temp spike or blown head gasket or anything. The copper just crushes to much for that imperfection to truly matter. everyime i remove my head, there is zero gap from the crush. Nice write up though.
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 05:19 PM
  #10  
ahobbs's Avatar
Thread Starter
HELLO,GOOD MORNIN'
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,909
Likes: 0
From: Savin lives
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

yeah i unerstand that and i figured i was good until i found coolant in the cylinder...lol without putting pressure in the system.

so i choose to be as **** as possible
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 06:01 PM
  #11  
ghostofnyc's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 0
From: FL, USA
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

looks aight son lol

Last edited by ghostofnyc; May 26, 2009 at 09:13 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2013 | 11:14 PM
  #12  
Steeve_Civic's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 0
From: FRANCE
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Nice !
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2013 | 12:50 AM
  #13  
wantboost's Avatar
Who is Mr Robot?
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 10
From: ATL - Where the Pimps and Players dwell
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Good jnfo but a 4 year old thread
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2013 | 06:20 AM
  #14  
Steeve_Civic's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 0
From: FRANCE
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

I tried yesterday on my block



and on these cylinder below I think there is a little gap, do you think I need to remove it?



It is very hard to remove it, how can I do without damage the sleeve please?
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2013 | 06:36 AM
  #15  
SPOOLINmatt's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 0
From: North Georgia/Atlanta
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

sharp pick and a light hammer to remove is what i have always used. your rings look fine, especially after they crush.
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2013 | 08:50 AM
  #16  
Steeve_Civic's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 0
From: FRANCE
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

thank you, I'll test with a sharp pick.
Even this one? I don't need to remove it?
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2013 | 07:21 PM
  #17  
wantboost's Avatar
Who is Mr Robot?
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 10
From: ATL - Where the Pimps and Players dwell
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

There should be no gap between ends. When the ring crushes it mushrooms the top and doesn't expand the ring so you'd still have a gap
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 12:35 AM
  #18  
Steeve_Civic's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 0
From: FRANCE
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Sorry don t understand, you advise me to remove it and try again with on gap?
Reply
Old Aug 25, 2013 | 02:13 AM
  #19  
wantboost's Avatar
Who is Mr Robot?
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 10
From: ATL - Where the Pimps and Players dwell
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Yes
Lay the wire in the groove (don't trim it from the spool it's on yet) and once you complete the circle around the groove cut off just a little bit extra and handfile the remainder until it's snug with no gap and no overlap/sharp edges on both cut ends
(I emphasize hand filing here, any electrical tool will remove too much too fast and you'll have to start over)
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2013 | 02:54 AM
  #20  
Steeve_Civic's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 0
From: FRANCE
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Than you for your advices.
I remove it and did it again.
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2013 | 09:10 AM
  #21  
HondaMotive's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Great thread ahobbs! You're the man!!!!

So are you WantBoost!

Last edited by HondaMotive; Oct 28, 2013 at 09:39 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2013 | 09:54 AM
  #22  
Freemananana's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,255
Likes: 3
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Originally Posted by wantboost
Good jnfo but a 4 year old thread
I saw this come up recently and I guess that's why it's being bumped. It is good info though. OP did a great job from what I can see.
Reply
Old Oct 28, 2013 | 10:03 AM
  #23  
ahobbs's Avatar
Thread Starter
HELLO,GOOD MORNIN'
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 8,909
Likes: 0
From: Savin lives
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

lol, old school, well not old school. But nearly 5 years ago lol
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2013 | 03:24 AM
  #24  
wantboost's Avatar
Who is Mr Robot?
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,474
Likes: 10
From: ATL - Where the Pimps and Players dwell
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

Originally Posted by Steeve_Civic
Than you for your advices.
I remove it and did it again.
Looks like you did it perfectly, as I see no gaps or edges. Well done, now just do it three more times lol

Originally Posted by HondaMotive
Great thread ahobbs! You're the man!!!!

So are you WantBoost!
HAHA I try, just glad I could point you in the right direction. If you see Steeve_Civic's last post and pic that is what the end result should look like

Originally Posted by Freemananana
I saw this come up recently and I guess that's why it's being bumped. It is good info though. OP did a great job from what I can see.
It's great info and ahobbs is a very knowledgeable member and always more than willing to share his knowledge and experiences for the benefit of others

I still think this needs to be stickied or put in the FAQs at the very least

Originally Posted by ahobbs
lol, old school, well not old school. But nearly 5 years ago lol
Well, old school hot rod technology but if it works then hey, that is all that matters lol

Speaking of ahobbs, how's the car? Haven't seen you post up in a bit
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2013 | 11:56 PM
  #25  
Steeve_Civic's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 0
From: FRANCE
Default Re: DIY How to install copper o-rings in a Block

It works fine on my car. 32PSI of boost for the moment without problem
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:05 AM.