Old K26 discovery

[Dave Head <dhead@sundial.sundial.net>]

In a fit of boredom, I pulled apart the cold side of my old K26 today. To my
surprise, the host of problems I thought I'd find were not present.
The root cause of its demise was the cold wheel retaining bolt had backed
off, allowing the cold wheel to move out into the volute. On tightening it I
found I had essentially zero axial or radial play whatsoever. Bearings and
oil seals seem to be fine. The bend at the shaft is at the end, where the
retaining nut had backed off.

The inside of the volute (cold wheel area) is relatively polished (gee!).
Beyond the radious of the cold wheel there are 20 or so strike marks on the
body - as if someone had tacked it with the edge of a hammer.

The wheel itself is complete, albeit blades worn down with razor sharp edges. 

Obviously it needed replacement - and it probably still wouldn't do for
extensive mods (balancing could be horrific). However, I think that I could
use it as a short term, low boost replacement while my current one is being
modded. 

Your thoughts, comments are appreciated. I can still send it to you if you
want to look it over. I really was surprised at how good it looked!


********************************AUDI FAN******************************
EMCM(SW) Dave Head (nuclear grade electrician)
87 5KCSTQ 170K miles and not counting (damned VDO odometers)...
1.9 bar boost (charlie spring, no shim) - @ 1.3 the shuttle launches!
Maitland FL
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