I picked up a 12a from a salvage yard today and shoved it in the trunk of my mom's corrola. Ive read that there are differences between a 79-80 motor and an 81-85, is there a way that i can tell which one it is by looking at the block?
thanx
-jason

 

The older engines have an "eyebrow" over the spark plug holes requiring use of a thin wall spark plug socket. You can grind it off if you wish. Take it easy if you do and make sure there are spark plugs in the holes so you dont get metal in the internal engine area.

 

if it is an 83-85 it will have a "T" on the heater hose out on the spark plug side.

 

the 79-80 engine (and older) have "ribs" on the tops of the rotor housings. it also might have a screw in heater outlet. no oil pressure sender.

 

its a short block so there is nothing left on it except the dipstick lol. but it does have the "eyebrows" over the plug holes and i cant tell if it has ribs cuz it is covered in dirt and dust. the guy i got it from said it had been sitting in a crate for fifteen years and was supposed to be sold as a core but it had never left his shop (i suppose it was destiny that kept it there). i didnt inspect it until this morning and i found a bunch of dirt and crap in the intake and the plug holes so i dont think im just gonna drop it in and go, but for fifty bucks it oughtta be fun to just take apart.
thanx for the info guys
-jason

 

50 bucks is cheap for a lesson on how to tear down a rotary, who knows, you may find some good parts as a bonus. Hint, break the e-shaft bolt loose before you break the flywheel nut. Have fun.