Neep

Ok, I'll admit, it's probably a stupid idea (since that's what everyone is telling me) but I had to give it a shot.

I recently purchased my first rotary, an 85 RX-7.... uhh something (all name plates have been removed, and I can't figure out what it is from the VIN, it seems to be the base level with power nothing) It was a bit of a hike down from Massachusetts to pick it up in Pennsylvania, but I made the trip down to pick it up, and the starter was dead. I'm making another trip now to pick it up, and am flying down this time to cut the obscene (for me) travel time in half. Problem is I bought a 12A that I am going to pick up on the way back. My only vehicle is the FB I also just bought. Meaning I'm going to try and take a 12a in a small sports car with no trunk.

I figure it'll fit. I don't know the exact dimensions of the 12a long block (anyone care to chime in with those?) but I'm thinking if I remove the passenger seat and stow it behind the drivers seat I can mount the engine... or at least prop... my new 12A on some 2x4s connected to the passenger seat mounts. I'm going to bring down all the supplies I think I need, the wood, a plastic drop cloth (no stains please... ok fine then, less stains please) wrenches, a drill and bits, rope (worse comes to worse, everything can be tied!!! or not...) and bolts...

Leading to my questions which are.

What are the mounting bolt diameters for a 12A? Where are the best places to bolt this bugger in? and finaly

How stupid am I for even contemplating doing this?Thanks for any help or suggestions you guys can offer. I still don't think it'll be that much of a problem since the engine is a "light" one at 240 pounds or so and it's small... or so I imagine since it's a 1.1 liter and rotarys are known for their small size for power output (and I know my focus's 2.0 liter piston pumper could fit in the passenger seat of the focus, and probably of the RX-7)

Again, Thank for any help/suggestions.

GavinJuice

I say take a spare tire off the rim and sit it on that right in the middle of the rear. Tie it down with mounting points like the seatbelt area. Now something for the rear im not sure about.

Or hell if your going to remove the seat just put the damn thing right there. Put the seat in the back. Make a simple frame just for the bottom of the engine out of 2x4 and your good to go.

RX7Elmo

i like the idea of a spare small tire on the passenger seat area. If you take the passenger seat out, you'll have enough room.

To me the hard part is getting the engine in and out of the passenger seat area. There's no way you can pick it up and put it in there, you're looking at about 250-300 pounds me thinks.

GavinJuice

4 hands

Hades12

Strip it down and it fits easy in the hatch. buddy bought one from Ohio to NC in an 83. Engine and a pile of parts. he girlfriend had to sraddle the trans that was in the front floor board.

If you take off the Carb, intake, exeaust and periferials then two people can pick it up. Make sure you drain the Water out and if it has the external oil cooler, that you plug the lines or drain the oil.

RacerX7fb

I took out the passenger seat and fit a 13B without a problem, all the other parts were in the trunk.. done the same with a tranny too awhile back.

lovintha7

I've picked up my 12a without a problem. It weighs around 200 lbs. Now, it's damn heavy, but manageable.

jorx81@aol.com

iTrader: (6)

lol, awesome.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

If you strip all the externals off of the motor, including the oil pan and pick-up tube, it will sit nice and flat in the passenger area with the seat out.

Clean the engine as much as you can, then start baging with heavy duty trash bags and tape. Once you get the engine in the car, pack **** around it to keep it fom moving about.

Anything that is dirty or will leak, bag it.

calvinpaul

iTrader: (2)

Take it to just the block, put all the parts in a rubbermaid container and put them in the fron seat. Take the block and set it in the back and use the straps on the rear carpet to tie it down. I would suggest using a tarp under the engine. I did that and drove it about 2 hours.

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

I drove to Toronto and brought a spare 12a home in the trunk of a sunfire. If you strip it down to the bare block, wrap it twice in garbage bags and duct tape it up nicely, you can probably fit it on the passenger seat... I'd use boards or that tough pink foam stuff to make sure it doesn't damage your seat. Don't forget to make sure the engine has the oil drained first, I made that mistake and made a HUGE mess in my dad's Sunfire.

If you take the seat out, you can probably fit it in the hatch area with minimal effort. It's definitely easier to get the engine in and out of the passenger door than it is to get it in and out of the hatch.

Don't worry, they're not that heavy. Lookin at about 250lbs I think. Maybe 300. Light enough that I could move it around using the oil pan as a pivot point while my friend cleaned the oil spill under it. Two people can lift it short distances (like from the ground to the passenger floor) or three people can do anything with it (like flip it on it's side and squeeze it into the trunk of a sunfire).

I don't think you're crazy.... Toronto is five hours away from here, and when I got back with the engine I drove BACK to Toronto to pick up a friend that needed a ride back to Ottawa. I tell ya, 10+ hours of driving in less than a 45hr span of time (including sleep), bringing a 12a home in a sunfire, and cleaning up the oil spil in the trunk of your dad's sunfire before he gets home from the Dominican.. THAT's crazy

Jon

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Oh.. and when I said "strip it down to the bare block" I didn't mean as crazily as trochoid did.. I just left the oil pan, and water pump and distributor etc... on mine.. but removed the mounting brackets, rat's nest was already off, no intake manifold or exhaust mani... It sits on the oil pan pretty well, but I'd put something on either side to stabilize it.. or rest it down on it's side. It's stable when laying on the intake/exhaust side if the manifolds aren't there.

Plastic, plastic, plastic... Wrap it in garbage bags and duct tape... put down some garbage bags on the floor/seat under it. Put a blanket under that. Use foam where you can, and get someone to help you put it in. I'm sure you'll get it home safe without trashing your 7.

Jon

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

What? Me crazy? If you only knew somedays.

I suggested taking the pan off, because it will sit flatter and be safer. If you drive like I do, it should be bolted to the floor.

Bob Holton

Get it on a roof rack! hehehe

dj55b

iTrader: (2)

That how our cars should of came ... with a spare engine in the passenger side or in the back instead of the wheel. But that picture makes our engine look even smaller..

Neep

Phew, now I feel much better. I was getting so much flack from my piston pals, that I was begining to doubt it could be done. Seeing a picture (with a 13b no less) makes me feel much better... Now to find a guide on rebuilding (or at least dismantling) a rotary engine, anything better than a shop manual out there?