raska

Hi, to keep it short and sweet we'll just say I know nothing about rotaries but do like them just haven't had time and money for them and here is my deal.

I may be able to get a non-running first gen (I don't know much about it probably has the 12a in it) for next to nothing apparently all the owner knows is it "has a blown engine" and was and other than that is in good working order.

I'm just wondering what is the ease of getting it running again. Assuming this engine is shot, will I be able to find a reasonably good condition 12a out there in a junk yard or something? Is this possible? Do they come for reasonable prices?

I tried to search for as much info as I can and have concluded that I cannot just drop a 13b in there right?

I'm really looking for ease of swap right now not a big project car I just want to get it running until I have a lot of time in the summer. Is it easy to just get another 12 a and replace the current one? I've never worked on a rotary engine ever but am reasonably mechanically inclined.

Makenzie71

hahahha...I was expecting another V8 thing...lol

First thing you need to do is find out what year and model it is. Second you need to go to the car with a battery. Pull the spark plugs and turn it over. Make sure it's got compression. Then check to make sure it's getting fuel. Then pull the plug wires off the coils and turn it over with someone watching...make sure it's getting spark.

No matter what's wrong with it, if you've got those three things then it'll be an easy fix.

Makenzie71

...maybe...

FB II

yea definitely check out the motor that's in it first. alot of people abandon the rotary because they THINK it's done for. these motors are very reliable, but you have to keep on top of regular maintenence. even if that motor is completely busted, swapping in another 12a of the same year would not be that bad, considering everything else works fine.

raska

K thanks. I am a we bit scared of the rotary right now I'll admit it, but I want work with rotaries a little more because the engine design is just far superior to a piston engine weight wise and movement wise. What crack addict designed an engine that moves up, stops, and then moves down, stops and repeats at high frequency? Yet we use these in 99% of the cars on the road?

I'll find out more about this car and see how next to nothing I can aquire it for. I just wanted to be assured that I would have a wealth of knowledge and help on here because I am going to need it if I take this on. If not, back to looking for more s13 nissan 240sx's.

Makenzie71

piston engines are great, too...it's just a different type of engine...

raska

I love engines! And cars.

rx-7girl

hell you cant kill a rotary.. we've driven ours around with a blown rotor before.. sounds like crap and doesnt have any up and go .. but it was damn fun playing with the mustang

*note* we always have spare engines around

brianw

I bought a 86' gxl for $400 cause they thought the motor was shot brither was a mech. and couldn't get it to run. Primed the incetors with oil and bingo! drove it home. take some oil. Sometimes that's all yoy have to do is prime the carb, drag.tow it in third and they fire up.they will not unflood there self and this is the easiest way I know to fix that so follow the advice of Makenzie71 and if that all checks out it is probably jsut flooded or something. this trick has worked for me several times.