This has been an ongoing project, I've finally gotten around to posting. Before I got this car, the most I'd ever done was oil changes and brakes. I've been learning on my own with the aid of a Haynes manual and a whole lot of help from all of you. I've rarely had to post questions because there is so much info available if you search. Now that I'm doing my first rebuild, I wanted to post my progress. Any input/advice from all of you would be much appreciated. I'll keep you posted with any progress.

 

sweet keep us updated i will be following suit on a 13b very soon.

 

very sweet, i want to do this, and hopefully i'll get to do it soon, maybe add a small street port, undecided yet. but keep us updated, and congrats, seems like it was a very clean engine... most of the rebuild posts i've seen look 100 times worse, maybe it's lighting

 

Congradulations...you are doing something I need to do but have never done.....that is rebuild a Mazda rotary.
I have rebuilt more small and big block Chevys than I can count, many VW engines, and several Buick Grand National engines......I guess I should not be intimidated by the Mazda Rotary!!

Keep up the good work and as always......post many pics!!

 

Let this be a lesson to you noobs out there. But serious Looks like your doing this rebuild properly, thats what i like to see! Keep us all updated- Nick

 

Yeah it really isn't that hard, its just the detail and little things that most people screw up. Just double check everything....wouldn't hurt.

 

Here's some more pictures. The last one, in case you can't read the text, is from play boy mag, the sexy-est center fold ever- 1993 CAR OF THE YEAR! (sic) posing w/ my rotor on the workbench.

Haven't really made more progress, but I did get some more supplies: brass brushes, ketone, degreaser, etc. I took the RX w/ the one-rotor motor around the block just to keep it circulating until I get around to pulling that 12A. I can't wait to go for my first real drive in the ReX.

 

Good luck on your rebuild. The first motor I rebuilt was an old 8v VW Golf GTI 1.8L. It was definitely a learning experience. If you mess up, take it with stride and learn from it. Getting frustrated doesn't get you anywhere.

 

Looks like your rebuild is going well!! NiIIicce!! We'll, i still need to rebuild my motor but work is kinda hectik right now so no time to work on my 7

 

so far looking good man!

 

I'm gonna be pulling mine apart this spring/summer. Has a blown coolant seal. I flushed out all coolant,a nd put oil in the spark holes to keep from rusting. Hoping everything is reuseable. Have both haynes and factory manuals, and I'll be doign it by the book.

Jason

 

What issue is that in?

 

i just took a 13b auto apart and i was very suprised at how clean the inside was. only problem i see now is what to do with the 6 port. not sure how to port one. so i guess its off to do some searching.

 

This engine was badly overheated. The apex seals were intact. The e-shaft seams ok, but I was shocked at how heavy that mother is. It is really cool to actually have my engine stand empty again.

My next step will be to pull the other 12A out of my car a begin taking that apart. I'm hoping to have one good engine out the combined parts from both. I really wasn't expecting the housings to be bad in this one. However, the front rotor on my other engine has no compression so I am expecting at least that front housing to be bad. If so do you think I can use this front housing (009&015 -the first two pics)? I'm assuming it is not usable.

 

Not usable. Anything over 2mm is too far.

 

that sucks. mine was about the same way.. only one of the endplates is usable. and i am pretty sure both my housings are bad also. but the rotors look fine.

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed for when I open up my 12a. It blew a coolant seal, hoping all housings/plates are okay. I'll soon find out.

Jason

 

Wow, that housing is seriously screwed. You're gonna have to look for some new/used ones. I have a pair that are in mediocre shape, but im sure someone has better ones. i'm in the process of building a 4port 13b for mine using streetported 12a side housings and gsl-se rotors, streetported rotor housings, and e-shaft. When its all said and done it'l be fed with a racing beat holley carb and racing beat exhaust. If i ever get it done. Good luck with your build!