Hey all,


Been searching the forums and the internet but I'm stuck and was hoping someone here might have an idea of what my problem is or give me a better idea of what I need to look into


About 2 years ago my 84 RX7 engine broke down on me. Turns out, an apex seal exploded quite spectacular and it required me to get my engine rebuilt. Fast forward a year and I finally sent off the engine core to a shop to get rebuilt (first time for me pulling an engine and I took a while longer than I thought I would to get this going). About 2 or 3 months later (juneish of this year) I get the rebuilt core back and start putting things back on and prepping the engine for insertion back into the engine bay. About a month ago I got the engine back in (had to pull the transmission to line things up, damn that was a process) and a couple weekends ago I was finally in a position to give it it's first cranks to see what's what. Low and behold it cranks but the engine isn't catching. This is where my problems lie


So, with the engine cranking but it's not catching. Here's a list of things I've tried/checked so:

• Spark plugs (got new ones before as the old ones were old and confirmed they are sparking)
  
• Spark Timing (confirmed I'm lined up with TDC on the rear rotor with a snake cam)
  
• The carb is getting fuel and my fuel pump is working properly (Jumped the fuse and pulled the gas off the carb to collect and visually see)
  
• Added new gas (I did this from the get go but there is about 20L of new gas in it as of 2 weekends ago, when the engine broke down I was basically running on fumes anyways so there wasn't anything to take out)
  
• Gas is getting into the rotor chambers (Pulling the spark plugs and cranking reveals gas coming out)
  
• I've had a partner pour gas down the carburetor as I'm cranking and this is the closest thing we've got to it catching as this caused the engine to have some detonation as long as they were pouring small amounts (smoked out the car tent i'm working in quite well with this haha)
  

Anybody have any idea's what could be going wrong here? My current assumption is that there is something wrong with the Carb after leaving it to sit for almost 2 years...


If you have any other questions about the car let me know! I'll happily answer if things need clarification!

 

Check timing again. Make sure the timing mark is aligned on the pulley. There are two marks on the pulley. As you face the engine the mark on the left is red and the mark on the right is white. Don't expect the paint to be there and the marks can be almost impossible to see. Pull the dizzy, align the timing dimple with the line the shaft. Don't mistake the roll pin for the dimple.

There can be a lot wrong with the carb but it should at least show signs of running for a few seconds.

You can pour a once of oil down the carb to help seals things up. Not to much. I'd also pull the plugs and clean them.

 

The fact that it tries to fire when you pour gas in the carb leads me to think you have a carb issue. Also, yes if you left the carb with any fuel in it for 2+ years it will have issues, I guarantee. I'd pull the top off the carb and see what it looks like in the bowls. While its off hit it with carb cleaner in all the holes you can access. Good luck. Getting rebuilt engines to start the first time can be a hassle even if all other systems are good. I've seen folks pull or push start new engines before.

 

I have very similar issue, I got the car that was in need of a rebuild, done that already and the engine makes some compression. But it's hard to start, it starts with some hesitation with freshly charged battery but wont idle, it's very shaky and sounds rather like a muscle car and not a wankel, after it dies i cannot restart it now matter what. Tomorrow I'll check if the jets aren't clogged up . Forgot to add but it's a 1980 Rx7 with a 12A and stock nikki.

 

You may want to start your own thread for individual help so as not to confuse with the OP thread here.

 

My problem is mildly similar because the fuel system is okay. I have problems with ignition, on almost random basis I lose spark, I'm checking with a strobe light and a second person on the leading front spark plgug, the spark sometimes is there and sometimes not but it's a bit weak I would say. On my car I have almost new ignition system, new : spark plugs, spark plugs wires, distributor cap, rotor, coil. Only old things are pick-ups and igniters.

 

Hey thanks for the responses yall, I'll give those suggestions a shot. I guess worst case I gotta take the carb in somewhere to get it checked out as that feels a bit out of my wheelhouse atm.

 

I’ve found the 12a starter was adequate for starting a healthy engine, degrade any of the variables and the only that would start it was more rpms or starting fluid. For the most part, push starting was able to get mine to start, even with these horrible housings. If all the timing and carb options have been tried, an FC na starter will give a couple hundred more rpm and generally will give a better shot at starting. It just needs a thru bolt for mounting that i scavenged from a Miata bp engine.

 

Thanks for the suggestions yall! I got it going! It turned out to be a timing issue as I was way off and not nearly as close as I thought. (That and when I fixed it initially I didn't have a full charge on the battery and screwed myself there).