I have to replace my apex seals within my engine, but can only find references for the 13best teardown. Is there much difference between the two engines as far as dissassembly goes? If so, what are they?

 

Almost no difference at all. If you are tearing into it you'll see.

Coolant seals are in the same place but the grove for them is cut into the housings. There are a few other small changes like that but the basic procedure is identical.

 

Pay attention to your rotors too, 13b's there isn't a front and back, 12a there is

 

What do you mean "front and back?" I am really new to this stuff, picking up my first RX7 tomorrow and I have to replace the apex seals. Do you have any guides I could follow? (12a)

 

On a 12A the rotors are front and rear specific. They should have an F or R stamped in depressions on the faces.

Download a service manual at foxed.ca , there are a couple of good rebuild videos on YouTube as well.

 

Mazdatrix.com sells a $30 DVD that goes into great detail on a (13B) build - has waaaay to many little tricks that the OE manual will NOT show you, but the video does!! Used it for MY 12A build. Invaluable! Best $30 you will spend on the build.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Replacing the apex seals means a full engine rebuild costing over $1000 in parts alone providing your housings and irons are still good. The 12A and 13B come apart in the same manner. The only difference is the fuel system

 

apex seals probably isn't the only seals that will need replacing. mic everything to make sure they're still within tolerance. when i did my build i ended up replacing all but the side seal springs. they're a pain to get out without breaking them. good luck and let us know how it turns out.