RX-7 Boogie

Re: 85 s. Purchased with locked up 12a engine. Looked up "spark plugs" on 1st gen faq. As recommended in the FAQ, I found 2 spare NGK BR9EQ14s & 2 spare ND W27EDR14s in the glove box of the 84 GSL-SE. I could see that each had 4 side electrodes that surrounded & were the same height as the center one. My 13/16 spark plug socket fit perfectly on the loose plugs. When I placed the socket on the installed plugs, the socket was too big to fit into the recess to grab a hold of the spark plug hex that was in there.

Looking further, the installed plugs were 5/8s Bosch Platinum 1s with just 1 side electrode which went above the center one like normal, run-of-the-mill spark plugs. When I got those off I could see that the threads were the same, but the hex was much smaller necessitating the use of the 5/8s socket. Also, all 4 electrodes were intact & had a nice normal burn to them.

Should I replace the Bosch plugs with the FAQ recommended NGK or Nippon Denso plugs?

I've squirted Amsoil Powerfoam into all spark plug holes till it foamed out. Also, what size socket do you recommend I use on the main pully to help turn the top of the pully towards the passenger's side?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.....

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

1. Don't use a socket to turn the pulley towards the passenger's side! That's left (righty tighty, lefty loosey...)... not that I think under normal circumstances you could put down enough force to undo the nut, it's just bad practice... especially considering that the engine should be more than easy enough to turn by hand, especially if you have the plugs out!

2. (kinda going in reverse order). Yes, you should use NGK plugs. While *SOME* standard-looking plugs have been used with minimal success, the NGK and Nippon Denso plugs were specifically designed with our unique engine in mind, and so they should be used. Improper plugs have sometimes (but rarely) been known to damage engines, sometimes beyond repair (cough..autolite..caugh)

You might be looking at an engine that's locked up because of improper spark plugs. If the terminal on the plug reached in too far, it could have broken an apex seal, which could have gotten wedged in there and fucked things over royal. Powerfoam doesn't break down carbon etc... unless the engine's hot, so it probably won't do much other than lube it up a bit.. if you can't turn the main pulley by hand, then you're probably lookin' at an engine swap or rebuild. If it comes to that, find some MMO, or use ATF like I did... I know ATF has a reputation for being harsh on rubber seals like the oil seals... but it's a good last resort before a rebuild. I mean hell, if you're gonna spend 2g to rebuild the engine either way, you might as well try it first. I'm assuming you've read the Decarbonizing a Rotary article in the archive since you mentioned turning it towards the passenger side and amsoil. Good job

I'm glad to see you visited the FAQ and did your research before posting, we love to see that in people who are relatively new to the forum

Anything else, just ask!

Jon