I've just spent about $800 on gaskets, seals, chemicals, and various small parts to rebuild my 262k mile 12a. I only recently have had the time to actually disassemble the "short-block" (minus manifolds). What I found today while cleaning the carbon out of my rotor housings pretty much ruined my day.

Ok, for an idea of where the wear is, look in your service manual, and where it says to place the seam in your sealing rubber... Right around there, on the front edge of my front housing. The chromium? lining has scraped and flaked away, and the underlying metal is worn away. At it's worst, the wear is ~1.8 mm deep. The entire scrape is a little under 30mm long. I can only assume this is because the engine was run until the apex seals were worn to below 5mm, allowing them to rattle around more than they should. But I could be way off on this guess.

Atkins wants $400 per for new housings.
Mazdatrix wants $390 per.
Rotary Performance doesn't have a listing online, but I intend to call them tomorrow.
I've even found "used, like new" housings for $300 per.

I assume salvage yarding this part isn't a great idea, as they'll be in the same condition as my current ones.

I'd hate to put all this effort and money into rebuilding an engine, and then not be able to. What I'd like to know is if you have replaced rotor housings, who did you buy them from, and what kind of experience have you had (good/bad?). An investment of $800 for half of an engine "block" is quite a lot.

 

Hit the for sale section, post a wtb if needed. 300 for as new is a rip. If you want to build another 250k engine, you need new parts.

 

www.jhbperformance.com

$280 plus core and shipping for 12A housings

 

Post pics of your housings. I sometimes see housings that one my consider trashed to still be very useable. If some of the chrome is flaking along the edges that actually no big deal. If the chrome is dull the housings can still be used. Cant say for sure without seeing it 1st though. By the way I just bought a set of 12a housings that are in super condition for $150. They are out there, just gotta look for them. I wouldnt pay more that unless they were new!

 

rx7doctor has (or had) a listing for a couple 12A housings in the parts section. Don't remember the asking price. They looked fantastic.
JHB housings are claimed to last longer than stock. I have been wanting to try a pair, along with their 1-piece apex seals. I figure that should be good for 300-500K (12A) with proper maintainence.