RB Intake BUSTED!!!!!
 

So guys and gals, has anyone ever seen the RB aluminum intake for the 12a mt completely bust the casting of the intake at the bolt holes where the intake mounts to the front housing?? I started pulling the motor apart to do a swap (if you remember last year I had the motor seize up on the highway at about 95 mph) and noticed the intake once I started removing it. I've been rather busy so I have not been able to get to it for some time but now it MUST be fixed. It's rx-7 season again in the Mich. I am sure something let loose in the front housing area but I am surprised to find the intake busted. The amount of force that would take!!! I will be disassembling the motor to find the true culprit but I think a water jacket is the cause. So if anyone knows where I can find just the intake, I am in search of one now. Maybe RB will give me a break on a new one! lol. Thanks for reading.:scratch:

This happens from over tightening a manifold that is not flat or sitting on a non-flat surface. Someone could have left part of the old gasket stuck on the motor when it was installed.

Best bet is to take all the parts to a welder and have them tig welded back together. They are going to complain about it being a casting and they do not know the alloy of the aluminum. Tell them they have been welded back together for 25+ years now. No problem.

-billy

tig welding is the best solution. once it is welded back together, have the flanges surfaced and you should be back in business with a manifold that will give many years of great service.

Awe hell, just slap a little JB Weld on there and call it a day! :) j/k

Sorry to hear about this man, but at least you're finally getting to work on her.
There is a weld shop that I have used before with great results, but I don't know the
name of it. It's on Chicago Drive, just a few miles before you hit Jenison. Coming from Holland, it would be on the right side of the road, on a corner, a big brick building.

They brazed an exhaust manifold for my 455 '71 Lemans several years ago for about 20 bucks, and more recently welded the spring seats on my struts for me when I upgraded
to coilovers, again for about 20 bucks. They do great work too, although their shop is a
mess. lol.

I know your car won't be ready yet, but will you be stopping out at the autocross next weekend (old ABC auto auction in Wayland)?

Best of luck man...



.

we broke an intake once, once!

http://fc3spro.com/TECH/HOF/K2RD/k2rdhof01.html

Thanks for all the advice guys, sure is cheaper to weld than to buy new. I just wasn't sure if it could be welded and still hold up. ( not much of a welder/electrical guru ).
Kentetsu, not sure if I will make the autocross, but I will have the rex up and running very soon. Also, if you can think of the name for that shop that would be great. I know the area but there are a few big brick buildings on Chi drive. lol.