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Brand new here and I’m working through my first rotary. I went through and got it fired up after sitting in a barn for 4-5 years, it ran well initially. Parked it for the night and the next day I couldn’t get it started again. I thought that maybe something broke loose in the fuel system and lodged even after cleaning out, I pulled the top plate and cleaned everything that I could, needles and seats, etc. The car was flooding before.
Now my first problem, I lost a weight that holds down one of the *****, does anyone know if it would come in a rebuild kit? If so which brand should I look for? If anyone has any advice that would be great. The one I lost I believe came out of the accelerator pump ball.
I replaced the fuel filter and pump, added an inline fuel pressure regulator, checked for spark on lead and trailing for both rotors with great results.
It’s got fuel, has spark, and would randomly fire up and run with trailing coil unplugged? Blew my mind but thought maybe timing issue with that finding?
No, the ball weight doesn't come with any of the rebuild kits that I'm aware of, but I might have an extra you can have. I'll take a look, please PM an address.
On the trailing coil, it doesn't need the trailing plugs to run well, that spark mostly just cleans up the exhaust. Some folks, like Tim, don't even bother with the trailing.
On the no start, it may just be it's still flooded. These cars are notorious for flooding, especially for the uninitiated.
And you may have even thrown a thing or two out of whack with all those fuel mods.
Probably a good idea at this point to do a fuel delivery check at the carb, the FSM explains how to do this (basically measure the output at the carb while idling at 2000 rpm).
If the no start persists, especially if it won't even fire (which indicates it really is flooded) you should try pulling all the plugs and spinning the engine over until you see no more mist coming from the plug holes, then spin it a bit more to fully dry out the rotor chambers.
You may want to add a few tablespoons of sea foam to the primaries at this point, then turn it over a bunch more.
This helps clean and lubricate the apex seals after they've been inactive for awhile. But expect some smoke at start up
Add the plugs back, then try starting with the choke out but NO GAS until it starts to fire, then lightly feather the gas till it's running smooth.
Looks like a great project! Can you show us more pictures, interior, under the hood? Does it have any modifications?
And you mention a replacement fuel pump and regulator. What pressure are you running? The Nikki carb will flood with the incorrect fuel pressure. Its a common problem.. someone installs the Autozone special fuel pump that an American carb would be just fine with.
