So from someone whos done it, no cerified rotary specialists please. Im just a guy with a pretty good understanding of tools. Ive rebuilt a good share of piston engines, im a self taught tinkerer. How hard was it in terms of skill, time, special tools needed, ect. Im getting a daily driver soon so my rex will be my weekend warrior, witch i will probably end up driving more anyway. the main reasion i want to rebuild is: i like projects like this and i like a challenge, its got 170,000 on the clock and i want a mild streetport. My other option would be a turbo engine from a 2nd gen, how hard is that?

 

If you rebuilt a boinger motor, the rotary will be a cakewalk. Get a haynes manual or chilton and order a rebuild video and your set....sort of Your going to need an impact wrench along with the big *** socket (can't remember what size it is) to take off the flywheel nut, cherry picker, engine stand or milk crate, a good set of metric tools, vasaline, hylomar, small standard screwdrivers (chiseling seals), and a couple rubber bands... Im sure theres a lot more, but teh beer is blocking my memory!

 

Rebuild is not that bad, you may want to pick up one of the overhaul videos to get a good idea of what you're thinking of doing. As far as the turbo II swap, many have done it and documented their swaps. A large portion of the cost comes from standalone ECU, FMIC, etc to make more power and overall to have a better platform to build on. I imagine you can swap it in 100% stock with stock ECU and all for cheap, but you're limited by stock fuel injection, stock ECU and the TMIC isn't good with a non-vented hood. It'd be easier to change them out while doing the swap than afterwards.

Granted, I have not done the swap, that is just what I gathered from reading others experience doing so.

 

I have never rebuilt a piston engine, changed everything on one, but never got inside the block. I did my own porting and rebuild by myself without any personal guidance from anyone.

Between the forum, the FSM, Haynes and the Rotaty Aviation video, they are really quite simple to rebuild. I would be more leary of rebuilding a piston engine than a rotary, anyday.

 

Rebuilding isn't that difficult for someone with a clue, and even easier if you have a rebuild video. What's not so easy is overcoming the urge to rationalize when you come across a rotor housing or side housing that's expensive to replace and just far enough out of specs to make a financially-challenged rebuilder think "maybe it's ok to re-use. After all, what's an extra two one-thousandths of an inch?"

The difference between a rebuild that's good for over 100,000 miles and one that only lasts for 40,000 is often around $500-- the cost of replacing one "borderline bad" housing. The problem is, an alarming number of "professional" rebuilders serve up rebuilt engines that last just a little longer than the warranty. They know the housings shouldn't be re-used, but if a customer brings the engine back they can tell him "you must have abused it" or some other lame excuse.

Skill and knowledge are only part of what it takes to do a quality rebuild. The other key ingredient is that intangible known as the ability to look at a questionable expensive component and, regardless of your financial situation, say "this is a piece of ****" and toss it into the garbage.

And no, I'm not a professional rebuilder. But I do fix aircraft for a living, an environment where properly assessing the re-usability of used parts is critical.

 

I had never done a rotary rebuild before (and had never doen a piston engine by myself), and I did mine...very easy as long as you take your time. I now have almost 2500 miles on it and it runs great! I used the Rotary Aviation video and highly recommend it. I now have the DIY-13B rebuild dvd set also. It's good, and worth having, but given the choice between the two I would recommend the Rotary Aviation video. It's more detailed, and far cheaper.

Good luck!
Rich

 

ok thanks guys, im hoping to start the project in a month, but the big question is if i rebuild will i have to break in my motor in the tradional sense? i will most likely opt for all the new/ better parts i can (housings, rotors mabye). thanks for you help

 

Well I am no rotary mechanic, not a mechanic at all probably the same skill level as you, and I am currently rebuilding my 12a. Never done it before this is my first time, and as long as you are well prepared, It's not only pretty simple but very intersting and fun.
I was lucky enough to recieve the DIY-RE 13B DVD set and I learned alot. Seeing it is alot easier to underrstand than reading about it, IMO...
So I would suggest getting a DIY video on rotaries first watch it and if you think you can do it go for it.. I'm sure if you built those strange slow things called piston engines you be able to rebuild the greatest thing since slice bread!!!
Just my 2 cents Good luck..
Peace
Jose Luis Cruz

 

After receiving recommendations from people on this site, I broke mine in for 1600 miles. < 3000 rpm for the first 1000, then < 4000 for the next 200, < 5000 for the next 200, < 6000 for the next 200, then let 'er fly! So far, so good.

Rich

 

thanks for your help everyone, now i just need a daily driver!