I'm going to go look at a said to be new 12a engine from the factory tomorrow.

as this is a rare find, i was wondering if there is anything i should look for, and what questions to ask.

i'll be taking pics of it and post pics by wednesday.

 

Documentation!

 

+1 most people are full of **** so if it doesn't have documentation I wouldn't believe him/them

 

If this is truly a "new old stock" from-the-factory engine, it would be worth thousands and would be something I'd find almost impossible to believe.

Caveat emptor - be very, very careful. Make sure there's proof in the way of Mazda-official documentation with the engine.

Take lots of pictures, and if you are unsure in any way, get back here and post them!

Jon

 

Also, just because it's NOS does not mean that it is in good shape. I recently fired up a 18 year old rebuilt engine from a well known Washington state rebuild company. I've had the engine in my possession for 6 years and personally inspected it before purchase. It was as advertised, but the seals had deteriorated and it had an internal water seal go bad on first start-up. I pulled the engine and tore it down. The hard parts where in great shape along with most of the soft seals. I have since rebuilt it and am almost ready to start it again.

If you do get the engine, I would say be prepared to do a seal replacement.

 

make sure its the right year 12A engine. there are plenty of NEW 71-73 engines floating around due to the lawsuit, but they are basically boat anchors, unless you have an rx2 you're restoring

NEW 79-85 engines will be rare because they were never sold here, they didn't have a license to sell new engines, only rebuilt

 

My daily driver took a poop on me yesterday so i haven't gone and looked at it yet. wont be able to until i can get my car fixed....

check out this guys very straight forward craigs list post. posting on craigs list makes it iffy to begin with..... http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/pts/2041653509.html

 

probably a reman, which they still do BTW. current price on a mazda reman is like 2800 for a 12A though

 

im from the grand rapids area and i dont trust anyone around here saying they know rotarys exept for Mark (AKA Kentetsu)
and a puerto rican guy names angel.

Dude if you want some help checking this out let me know ill go with you!

 

i called the guy its ben sitting for a year with no holes plugged and its a reman not new. he said he didnt even know what it was. i would only give him core cost.

If you still need an engine i can hook you up. with a good running one this weekend. or any time

 

Great offer from a great guy.

 

If you can get your hands on a boroscope you can inspect the engine through the intake/exhaust ports. That would allow you to see the bottom of the housings where most of the critical wear occurs. Also keep an eye out for any rust on the inner surfaces of the irons. Keep in mind when making an offer on the engine that it should have new apex seals and oil control o-rings. Both will add value above core price along with the likelihood that the housings are in good or better condition.

When Eric, (KansaCityREPU), and I tore his engine down, everything looked good except the joint on one of the inner coolant seals. The joint looked like it had a manufacturing flaw and was hair thinner at the joint like it had been crushed more there than the rest of the seal.

 

hey man in black wanna go check it out this weekend? and u know anyone with a boroscope?

 

i have thought about buying a borescope but they are 300+ and i cant justify that right now.
i would be glad to go with you and check it out just give me a call.

 

you re-coop the money by offering a cheap endoscopy rates

prostrate checks are optional extras