I have what I believe is a 1984 or 1985 13B 6 port engine mated to a FB manual transmission (no vent opening on the bellhousing)

My limited search states the 13B made its comeback in 1984 on that years RX-7 SE edition which I took to be the "Top of the line" model for that year.

That being said, is this combo desirable?

Here are some pics of the damage I found, the seller told me it was rotating up until a few weeks before I bought it, yeah, right!




This is my first time inside a rotory and is this one worth the cost to rebuild? That is why I am asking if this is a scarce engine and transmission.

 

The coolant seal on the iron indicates this is an 86 and newer engine. 85 and older had them on the rotor housings only.
So you have a second gen RX-7 engine and a first gen transmission, fairly common swap since second gen 13Bs are easier to find than GSL-SE engines. I ran one like that for a few years.

Not rare, but you may have some salvageable parts.

 

Probably one of the most common engines out there, since so many 2nd Gen cars were imported. That engine sat dormant and unloved for a LONG time. Did a forum member sell you that with the story? I'd be pissed.

 

the FC engine is a better starting point than the GSL-SE, its got bigger ports, better seals, lighter rotors

 

Thanks for the response, good to know about the coolent seal location!
How about the FB transmission, I see a couple have been sold here so there is a demand for them. Should I get it rebuilt and offer it for sale or sell it as is?

 

GSL-SE had a bellhousing vent.

 

If you post a picture of the transmission, we can help you identify it.

 

Here are some photos to help identify exactly what transmission this is.













Also, what is the best way to clean the metal, been sitting in the Texas sun for thirty years? I seen some pics where the transmission look almost new!
PS. A pack rat was living in the bellhousing, when I separated it from the engine it had a cup of uncooked rice inside!

 

just spray liberally with a degreaser and rinse with a pressure washer.

 

i scrape the big gunk with something, its usually a razor blade for me

that is a remarkably clean 81-85 transmission

 

It is hard to tell from the pics, but judging from the position switch bosses on it it may be a late FB trans. Later ones had all sorts of neutral and gear switches peppering the case, and I see at least two. Definitely a 12A trans.

The only real way to be sure of what you have is to pop the tailhousing off, remove the shift fingers, pop the rear case off, and start counting teeth on the speedo drive gear and on the 5th gear drive/driven gears.

 

There are two position switches, one has three wires coming off it, I read somewhere on here that this kind of switch was used last, so I have a late use FB transmission using a 12A case?
Thanks!

 

The transmission looks to be an S3 12A transmission to me. It will bolt up to any 12A rear iron or a 13B iron from a GSL-SE, S4 or S5 13B.

 

Thanks, I just pulled the pilot bearing out of the e-shaft, there was only the outer race in there along with just a thin strip left of the seal! How bad is it to run like that. No trace of the inner race or needle bearings so whoever swapped the 13B in left it like that.

Also I have one of those cheap short shifters that I am trying to install, not having any luck putting it in. Does anybody know the trick to getting it to function correctly? I sanded the nylon cup bushing to fit but that is all!