Advice needed on a 13 year old 12A 'crate' engine with no mileage
03-12-04, 10:22 AM
#1
Whack 'em and stack 'em
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Advice needed on a 13 year old 12A 'crate' engine with no mileage
I spoke with someone nearby who is getting rid of a lot of RX-7 stuff..He said he has a 12A 'crate' engine direct from Mazda (through a friend at a local dealership). The engine was purchased in 1991, installed in an 83 model, ran less than 10 miles (according to the owner). Then sat idle until this very day. He is also including the car, spare LTD rims, a 5spd tranny, and misc Mazda parts (including an LSD rear).. He's asking $1,000 for the whole shebang.
I asked him if it's been turned over at all in 13 years and he said NO. It sat in a covered area and he had intentions of building an SCCA car out of it..He mentioned something about carbon seals (but I did'nt think Mazda put them in a crate engine??)
Anyway- I could use some opinions on this..I'm of course very leary of a motor that sat idle for 10+ years, and would imagine a total breakdown is in order. But if I can determine the motor is in fact hardly used..Would it be worth a look see to get nearly virgin motor? would the housing / sides rust and be useless just sitting? Anything to look for that could help me determine true usage / wear without hearing it run or turning the motor?
BTW- I would not offer any more than $500 for the whole shootin match (and that is if I can determine it's a good virgin!)
I asked him if it's been turned over at all in 13 years and he said NO. It sat in a covered area and he had intentions of building an SCCA car out of it..He mentioned something about carbon seals (but I did'nt think Mazda put them in a crate engine??)
Anyway- I could use some opinions on this..I'm of course very leary of a motor that sat idle for 10+ years, and would imagine a total breakdown is in order. But if I can determine the motor is in fact hardly used..Would it be worth a look see to get nearly virgin motor? would the housing / sides rust and be useless just sitting? Anything to look for that could help me determine true usage / wear without hearing it run or turning the motor?
BTW- I would not offer any more than $500 for the whole shootin match (and that is if I can determine it's a good virgin!)
03-12-04, 10:41 AM
#2
I read your email
see if you can turn it easily by hand. If it turns smoothly it might be in decent shape. Take a peak into the exhaust ports for signs of rust. It's also possible that the o-rings are dried a bit. That's all I can suggest at the moment. It's a little bit of a gamble IMO, it may be a great engine or.....
03-12-04, 10:58 AM
#3
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If it does have low mileage, and doesn't turn you can try unlocking it doing the new sticky. If all else fails, you can rebuild it. Anyways, nice find, and good luck.
03-12-04, 03:38 PM
#4
Whack 'em and stack 'em
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I hope the motor has an exhaust manifold or headers bolted up to it..If it was't- I'm sure there's some crud in the exhaust ports..
Hopefully I can get a look see in there..I guess there should also be no signs of oil seepage around the OMP and oil cooler lines if it was never run...
Hopefully I can get a look see in there..I guess there should also be no signs of oil seepage around the OMP and oil cooler lines if it was never run...
Last edited by Tom; 03-12-04 at 03:46 PM.
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