I am restoring a 79 RX7 and am running into a problem with getting it started. I have replaced the wires, points and verified the coil condition, everything is in working order and I get good spark. When I crank the ignition I get slight smoke out of the exhaust but the car does not start. It acts like a regular piston engine when the spark is igniting the fule mixture on the exhaust stroke. The harmonic balancer is rusted and I can't make out the timing marks so I can't verify timing position. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

try rolling it and popping the clutch.

 

The engine turns over, I have spark and gas. Could the timing be off? How do I verify timing and /or distributor position if the timing marks on the harmonic balancer are no longer visable?

Thanks......

 

1st, there is NO harmonic balancer on a rotary.

2nd- there are 2 notches on the pulley. check the Haynes manual to see which one is painted white and which one is red. Follow instructions in the Haynes manual on timing.

Good luck!

 

Metallic Rock,
Thanks for the reply and the correction. I'm not familiar with rotary engines and have to use terminology I'm used to, piston engines.

I have a Haynes manual and as you said it identifies the white and yellow markings. Unfortunately the car I am working on was left out in a field for 12 years and the markings on the pully are nonexistant. The rust is so bad I can't make out the markings. Even after cleaning the pully there is no evidence. Any other suggestions?

Thanks