Back on the Road!
11-15-04, 09:31 AM
#1
Mazspeed.com
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Back on the Road!
Here's the story to date.
5 months ago, the 79 engine in my 85 tossed an apex seal. Since then 3 hurricanes delayed assembling things. As of right now, Carl and I are still working on getting the new Street Ported engine together.
When I realized it was going to take a while, I decided to search for a running 12a to put in my baby while waiting. I posted here and waited for the replies.
I had a few $600 offers and an $800 offer. Then, Robert from Rotary Shack piped in. He asked me what I was looking for and I explained that I was hoping for a reliable engine at a cheap price. He told me he'd do $400 shipped on a low-mile Mazda reman 12a with no leaks and great compression that he had pulled to swap a 13b - he'd also give me a warranty because I'd had 2 engines die on me after only 5k miles.
A few days later, he told me that shipping would cost him $280 but he'd still honor his quote. I suggested he pull things off of the block (I have pieces of 4 engines already) to drop the weight. Turns out he shed 100 pounds that way and probably saved as many dollars on shipping. Any way you look at it, this definitely qualifies as a "hook up" deal. I wouldn't expect him to do this daily or else he'd be gone faster than your mom when she gets a little whiskey in her.
At any rate, a week later, I got the engine and was able to swap my intake mani and carb onto it. The next day I put more of the block together. Next thing I know, I'm in bed for 5 days with the flu. Then daylight savings ends and I find myself coming home from work and running around like a madman trying to make the most of the 30-45 minutes of fading daylight.
So anyways, last Saturday I finally get everything together, but I only have 90 minutes before having to leave cross-state for a friend's wedding. I can't get it to crank, unless I dribble fuel in the barrels. Seems that my carb's jets are clogged. Of course, Robert sent an intake mani and carb with the engine (plus I have about 3 other carbs laying around the house) so I know that it's not that big of a deal.
Yesterday, I mod Robert's carb to remove some emissions crap and replace a few parts with parts from my carb and... Vroom!!!
Really lumpy idle, but she finally started running.
After getting access to a timing light, I find out that it's 10-15 degrees advanced. After resetting the dizzy, I have a beautifully purring idle again.
I decide to take a test drive and HOLY ****! This engine pulls stronger than any other 12a stock port I've had! I have my RB race header with the dual long primaries which collect after 4 cherry-bomb presilencers (just before the axle), no emissions, mech secondaries... and damn dude, this engine is exactly what he said - high compression and strong!
Now, my radio has power, but nothing goes to the speakers, and my headlights are on but really dim(as in I'll get pulled over if I try driving at night) but aside from that, I'm one happy guy (the rest of the lights work perfectly, but since I stripped everything out from the engine bay a few months back to detail it, I probably hosed something in the process).
So does this make me a Rotary Shack fanboy? Nope, but there's one thing that's for certain: he came through with a kick-*** deal for me and delivered absolutely everything that he said he would. I'm really happy to be on the road again, and once I have the radio/lights issue taken care of - I'll be even happier.
I'm from the Mazspeed board, so my initial experience with Rotary Shack was tainted by the MazdaRacing issues and the subsequent banning of Robert from that board. So I think I'm fairly qualified to be taken seriously here. Mark me up as one person who has dealt with Robert and been surprisingly and overwhelmingly satisfied with the end result. My car shares my thoughts and wanted to say hello
5 months ago, the 79 engine in my 85 tossed an apex seal. Since then 3 hurricanes delayed assembling things. As of right now, Carl and I are still working on getting the new Street Ported engine together.
When I realized it was going to take a while, I decided to search for a running 12a to put in my baby while waiting. I posted here and waited for the replies.
I had a few $600 offers and an $800 offer. Then, Robert from Rotary Shack piped in. He asked me what I was looking for and I explained that I was hoping for a reliable engine at a cheap price. He told me he'd do $400 shipped on a low-mile Mazda reman 12a with no leaks and great compression that he had pulled to swap a 13b - he'd also give me a warranty because I'd had 2 engines die on me after only 5k miles.
A few days later, he told me that shipping would cost him $280 but he'd still honor his quote. I suggested he pull things off of the block (I have pieces of 4 engines already) to drop the weight. Turns out he shed 100 pounds that way and probably saved as many dollars on shipping. Any way you look at it, this definitely qualifies as a "hook up" deal. I wouldn't expect him to do this daily or else he'd be gone faster than your mom when she gets a little whiskey in her.
At any rate, a week later, I got the engine and was able to swap my intake mani and carb onto it. The next day I put more of the block together. Next thing I know, I'm in bed for 5 days with the flu. Then daylight savings ends and I find myself coming home from work and running around like a madman trying to make the most of the 30-45 minutes of fading daylight.
So anyways, last Saturday I finally get everything together, but I only have 90 minutes before having to leave cross-state for a friend's wedding. I can't get it to crank, unless I dribble fuel in the barrels. Seems that my carb's jets are clogged. Of course, Robert sent an intake mani and carb with the engine (plus I have about 3 other carbs laying around the house) so I know that it's not that big of a deal.
Yesterday, I mod Robert's carb to remove some emissions crap and replace a few parts with parts from my carb and... Vroom!!!
Really lumpy idle, but she finally started running.
After getting access to a timing light, I find out that it's 10-15 degrees advanced. After resetting the dizzy, I have a beautifully purring idle again.
I decide to take a test drive and HOLY ****! This engine pulls stronger than any other 12a stock port I've had! I have my RB race header with the dual long primaries which collect after 4 cherry-bomb presilencers (just before the axle), no emissions, mech secondaries... and damn dude, this engine is exactly what he said - high compression and strong!
Now, my radio has power, but nothing goes to the speakers, and my headlights are on but really dim(as in I'll get pulled over if I try driving at night) but aside from that, I'm one happy guy (the rest of the lights work perfectly, but since I stripped everything out from the engine bay a few months back to detail it, I probably hosed something in the process).
So does this make me a Rotary Shack fanboy? Nope, but there's one thing that's for certain: he came through with a kick-*** deal for me and delivered absolutely everything that he said he would. I'm really happy to be on the road again, and once I have the radio/lights issue taken care of - I'll be even happier.
I'm from the Mazspeed board, so my initial experience with Rotary Shack was tainted by the MazdaRacing issues and the subsequent banning of Robert from that board. So I think I'm fairly qualified to be taken seriously here. Mark me up as one person who has dealt with Robert and been surprisingly and overwhelmingly satisfied with the end result. My car shares my thoughts and wanted to say hello
11-15-04, 05:46 PM
#2
Mazspeed.com
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I'm happy - all those reads and no flames!
Of course, no replies suggesting how to fix my electrical woes.
To clarify that: all internal lights are fine. All external lights come on fine too - except the headlights. The headlights are really REALLY dim. Also, with the headlights on, the in-dash high beam indicator is coming on.
The stereo powers on but nothing goes out to the speakers. Looking for a blown fuse on that one.
Cheers
Of course, no replies suggesting how to fix my electrical woes.
To clarify that: all internal lights are fine. All external lights come on fine too - except the headlights. The headlights are really REALLY dim. Also, with the headlights on, the in-dash high beam indicator is coming on.
The stereo powers on but nothing goes out to the speakers. Looking for a blown fuse on that one.
Cheers
11-16-04, 08:16 PM
#5
Damnedknowitall
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Please measure the following;
VOLTAGE from the headlight plug + to the battery -
RESISTANCE from the headlight plug - to the battery -
VOLTAGE from the Battery - to the battery +
RESISTANCE between all contacts on headlight relay
Take all measurements with battery CONNECTED and headlights ON
we'll go further after you supply thoses readings for me.
VOLTAGE from the headlight plug + to the battery -
RESISTANCE from the headlight plug - to the battery -
VOLTAGE from the Battery - to the battery +
RESISTANCE between all contacts on headlight relay
Take all measurements with battery CONNECTED and headlights ON
we'll go further after you supply thoses readings for me.
11-16-04, 08:16 PM
#6
Function > Form
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Catonsville MD (baltimore suburb)
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What he said, after I rewired my car I left the bolt loose for that ground and searched for the problem with my headlights for a day. Came back the next morning and it popped out at me, everythings fine scince. I have no radio so can't help there.
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