1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

12a Rebuild: Recommendations for Rotor Seals

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Old Jul 4, 2014 | 04:40 PM
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12a Rebuild: Recommendations for Rotor Seals

1984 FB
Father original owner, had Atkins rebuilt installed at 128k in 1997.
I'm the second owner. Currently at 156K.

Rebuilding due to oil leaking and burning.
The corner seal springs are the stock wire type.

I planed on replacing the oil control rings, o-rings and springs, along with all the other seals/gaskets.

Is it recommended to replace all the corner, side and apex seals and springs on a rebuild?
Or, should I clean up the small parts, check the specks and then decide to keep or replace?

I really wish I knew what was new in the rebuilt engine.
(In 1979 an Atkins 12a reman was $1500.)
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Old Jul 5, 2014 | 03:44 AM
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RX HVN
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Only 30K on a rebuild? jeez. Maybe from lack of use? These engines do NOT like to sit around for long unless correctly pickled first. Side seals and corner seals are pretty cheap to replace. I would use the newer-style corner seal springs, not the wire type. Apex seals I would measure against new spec for wear, then decide. All this stuff is available of course.
Might be worth a call to Atkins to see what their rebuilds consisted of back when yours was done. I think now they offer diff "levels" of rebuild at diff price-points. The basic starts with just new seals and gaskets.
Of course, once you pop it apart you will want to be sure the rotor housings are re-useable. They can flake on the combustion surface, so its a question of how bad. Or maybe you get lucky?

Neat you have kept the RX in the family. best of luck!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
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Old Jul 5, 2014 | 08:26 AM
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The "level build" sounds reasonable. Dad said he had it rebuilt because it was leaking oil. The rotor seals are the only things I have not cleaned so far.

Housings have been replaced as there was excessive flaking.

Any recommendations on suppliers?
Atkins
Mazadtrix
other..

Looking to do just a stock rebuild.
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Old Jul 5, 2014 | 10:46 AM
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79 w 13B4port
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Mazdatrix sells mostly OEM which is pricier,

Atkins uses some OEM and some aftermarket suppliers. You can save money going that route.

On my first rebuild I used Mazdatrix and spent alot of money and got good results.

I have since built another with Atkins parts, I asked around and got good reccomendations for their stuff and saved alot of money, but, the engine isnt installed yet so the jury is still out on how it will do.

More experienced builders will have opinions I'm sure.
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Old Jul 5, 2014 | 05:12 PM
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On the 30k rebuild.
I had to replace the housings due to excessive chrome flaking.
There are other parts I'm replacing along the way due to wear.

When my father offered me the car for $5, he did say he had not driven it for more than a year.
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