used TA49 BB water cooled

[xracerx13]

So, I picked up a Garrett TA-49 Ball Bearing turbo that's water cooled.
Why...because I got it at the price of a used core.. I wish it wasn't water cooled.
I was told it leaked a light dusting of oil out the compressor side so a partial rebuild is in order although I have never done a turbo rebuild myself.
I have checked out G-Pop and even called them. All their kits are non ball bearing and suggested I contact ATP turbo in Cali. But that's if I need a new bearing style kit..
The turbo gets here Monday so I won't have more info till then on shaft play, part number, etc..

I even considered sending it to Brian Bisonette at Bison's in Connecticut but not sure yet.

Anyone here ever do a turbo rebuild?

[nocooler]

I haven’t played with a BB unit but I’ve had quite a few journal bearings apart.

[xracerx13]

At this point I don't even know if it's ball or journal bearing. But because its water cooled its assumed it BB. It doesn't look like today's BB type center. I just hope the tag is still on it.
The guy I got it from prolly don't even know cause he's only been in the game 7 years.
He was too busy trying to school me even though I kept telling him I've been in the game since 1987.

[nocooler]

I have a ta49 core here if yours turns out to be journal bearing. It's an oil cooled center section, it had a bad thrust. 

[xracerx13]

Appreciate it I'll certainly keep that in mind. You just have the center housing section by itself?  pic?

this is what a new garrett G series water cooled BB center looks like. found this on limit engineering's page.

[nocooler]

I should have everything but the turbine housing. Give me a few days to dig it out.

[xracerx13]

OK so I got the turbo today. What a mess. I could not believe the way it was packed. pics to follow.
Its definitely a TA49 with a .63 exhaust housing.
The wastegate hole is enlarged to 1 3/16" and that's way bigger than my stock puck.
I verified with Chopper at Limit Engineering that it is in fact a Journal bearing turbo because I can see the shaft through the oil exit hole and not a large ball bearing cartridge. He also said I didn't have to use the water cooling if I did not want to because its not a BB turbo.
It has shaft play in and out that seems spring loaded and sideways makes a weird sound. Its a mess.
Here's some pics of what the packing job caused. I had to use a vacuum to get it all cleaned up.

[nocooler]

This is what I have left - sold to me 20 years ago. It would have been a good deal if it hadn't knocked the thrust out and touched down. The turbo and injectors were just thrown in a box and shipped. No packing material, nothing. I got the; it was fine on my dad's car, sorry can't help you - BS.

[xracerx13]

damn that thing has had it wow. At least the guy didn't pack mine in rice 
The center section looks OK though. Let me do some more research. 

[xracerx13]

Nocooler.... Jeese has it been 9 months. dang.

I finally got around to sending in the TA49 to cheetahturbo.c om. Its about 2.5 hours away from me and he has a lot of GN turbo experience. I sent it in because besides side play there was a lot of in and out play and that's a no no.

Findings were that the 270 degree bearing as well as the carbon seal were hosed, cracked, badly. The compressor wheel scraped a tad but no damage to wheel or compressor housing.
Main issue found was that the turbine seal enlarged the shaft groove it sits in on the shaft itself and in turn causing the seal to flop around while spinning and ruined the center section where the seal butts up against the center section.

I couldn't really tell from the pics you posted if that was the same case on your center section or not, and whether or not the shaft and turbine wheel were damaged.

I am in need of a center section and a turbine wheel/shaft assembly.

[Scoobum]

Look up Bison Performance on FB. He'll supply the parts you need. I believe he's still in CT.

[nocooler]

I'm pretty sure the one I have is junk. 

[xracerx13]

Confused...

the one of what that you have is junk? the turbine shaft or center housing?

[nocooler]

Sorry I think the turbine is junk. Center I’d think it’d be fine

[Scoobum]

Look for a Garrett .63 exhaust housing while you're at it.