I love this car, but I have too many projects. 85 GSL. Nice clean west coast car, 160k, rare period correct parts, Lots of new parts, Autopower street roll bar Nardi wheel, RB street port exhaust is new. The old 13B 4 port motor has been removed and needs to be rebuilt. What do you think a project like this is worth?

 

Not running, I would say maybe $1000.00, running, easily 3K.

 

Ugh, I hate that lift... it doesn't extend far enough into our engine bay to get the engine out.

160 is quite a few miles, but people in the market for a car of this kind are looking for a clean slate. I'd say $1500 no engine $3000-3500 running.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks for the input.

 

GSLs have solid rear disk brakes, LSD, and then you also have the 14" Enkei wheels in great shape and a roll cage. I'm betting you could get $2k-$3k to the right buyer who was able to rebuild the engine themselves, or knows someone who can. If the car is as clean as your pictures, it should get that, but you're looking for a rotorhead, not some HS kid looking for a Forza ride before he wrecks it into a light pole trying to drift.

Keep it on the roads, whoever you sell it to. It's a piece of history and you're just the temporary custodian.

 

LOL, I managed to pull mine out using that lift coming in from the side...not sure I'll be able to get it back in as it was a few inches off-center.

 

New winter time project rebuilding the engine!
Can the rotor housings be refinished? or are they junk when worn?

 

Pull them and show us? The combustion chamber is "lined" with chrome-type finish, which WILL flake off with use. The housing can tolerate a bit of this without the housing compression taking a dive, but its a narrow range. Pix will tell us - and likely any RX engine builder, if they can be reused. There ARE companies that either re-face (I think thru polishing?) or actually will re-coat the inner faces with their proprietary finishes. Or start hunting for NOS housings.
These are of course (!) no longer manufactured or sold by Mazda...

Talk to Atkins Rotary in the NW. They (amongst many) do builds, and sell the pieces you will need.
Numerous (Atkins, Mazdatrix, etc) VIDEOS on (13B, but same) rotary builds. I used the Mazdatrix one to guide me in my back-yard12A build. And I'll be damned, it worked! Small set of specialized tools needed, but nothing crazy. housings and irons, if needed, will be your biggest challenge.

'Luck!
Stu Aull
80GS
AZ

 

Agreed, maybe 5K with the right buyer.

 

Buy an fc engine. They're cheap and plentiful. 6 port, 4 port; pre 85 intake bolt patern or post a 13b is a 13b of course, of course. You might have to get creative with a drill but it will match up to your existing intake.

 

I don't own one I borrow it from my buddy. But Its easy enough to put these engines in (at least for me). I just get the engine in the bay of the car and then step with my left foot where the turbo should be and my right foot on the edge of the battery tray. Then pick the block up and shove it in the transmission. I usually install a bare block so 150#s? not too heavy but its a shuffle.

 

^^^ Yer a caveman,lol.

 

You and Ray Green are brothers for sure!

 

Brothers by another Mother, for sure.

LW, that FB of yours is real pretty, Worth Keeping, for sure.

 

Have you heard of Chips Motorsports? They can lap my irons and Nitride them, sounds good to me.

 

Your FB is very nice, keep it if you can!!

If you are looking for the best engine builder, Chips is the only place to go.

Chips rebuilt my 12A Streetport earlier this year.

He lapped and nitrided my irons, replaced the bearings, oil pump, and every seal (Apex, Corner, Side etc) with the exception of the oil control rings.

His base rebuild charge is reasonably priced and from there you're just paying for OEM parts and additional services like lapping/nitriding. The whole engine gets disassembled, cleaned, inspected. All hardware gets plated (yellow zinc or Cad).

 

What?
Why not replace them?

\

 

he may be talking bout the metal ring. i didn't replace mine either due to minimal wear. only new O-rings. this has been 150k plus miles ago now.

 

Yes, the metal oil control rings were within spec. All soft seals replaced of course.

 

 

How do my housings look? and what are X irons?

 

rotor housings look great. can u feel any step wear on those side housings with a finger nail.

 

Maybe a little around the corner seal area, still have to clean them up. Im interested in lapping/nitriding.

 

What was the reason for removal? Looks pretty good. Streetported 13B?

Didn't expect to open this thread and see the motor pulled apart already haha. Good job.

 

It started smoking badly (blue)