I have a chance to buy a hx35 for $150 but the guy said it has minimal play in the shaft. Is it ok to have play at all on one of these turbos. I want to make a hybrid with my h1c on my 93 12 valve but I do not want to buy a junk turbo.

 

anyone an feel free to chime in on this one, but i was always told on most journal turbos as long as you cant push up or to the side of the shaft and cause the compessor wheel to contact the housing and it turns freely, then it should be o.k.

 

There will always be play in the shaft. There will be a small gap between the shaft and bushing to allow for lubrication, and for thermal expansion. If there was zero play, the turbo would quickly seize. As long as the wheel doesn't contact the housing, you are fine.