Bringing an 87 TII back to life...?
 

I picked up a 87 TurboII back in the summertime and it's time I start getting the ball going on this project. The car came as a rolling chassis with the motor and all of the external engine parts already taken out of the car and in boxes. I did a compression test on the block and got 30 on the front housing and 90 on the back. (The motor was put together using a S5 rotor housing in the front and S4 in the rear..?)

Anyway... I picked up another S4 TII block recently w/decent compression and I'm ready to drop her in. The block had a gsl-se oil pan and front cover on it for a 1st gen... & now I'm going back to 2nd gen front cover and pan.

As far as upgrades go, the car has a full Racingbeat exhaust. Everything else is stock (for now).

My question is while I have the front cover and pan off is there anything I should do or look at while I'm in there..??

Here's a few pics:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/RSDEVIL/014-2.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/RSDEVIL/020-2.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/RSDEVIL/023-1.jpg

Any input is appreciated & Thank You in advance. I'll prob have plenty more questions as I go & I'll be sure to do some searching and reading on the topic in the meantime. :)

The thrust bearing. Make sure it's not crushed or destroyed. And make sure you don't pinch it when you put your cover and eccentric shaft hub back on.

Thanks AGreen... if I remember correctly I shoud be ok in that aspect since the motor is sitting w/the flywheel on the ground position, yes...? When shes's sitting mounted in the car / normal position is when the needle/thrust bearing has a better chance of dropping out of place...?? I will still keep my eye on her.

I found this on the orginal motor that I'm steaing the front plate off of. Anyone know what it is...???

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/RSDEVIL/001-9.jpg

After market thermal pellet

Thanks. The term thermal pellet gave me a bunch of reading using the search. I had no idea... :)

what's that random corner seal doing there?

On a slightly different tack...
With the engine out of the bay, NOW is the time to clean that compartment up.
It will never be easier to degrease/clean and freshen up the wiring, maybe reroute some stuff.

Being able to actually get into the bay makes things a whole lot simpler and allows access to areas that will be impossible to reach with the engine in place.

Besides, the fresh new engine will look weird in a grimy bay.

^ The whole car is kind of in a state of boderline grimey. It woud be nice though to have a semi-dirty looking beater yet under the hood phenominally clean and badass.

My experiences w/TurboII's so far has been pop a motor, pop a motor & give up (in my 1st gen). That was 9 years ago (hence my user name). I'm hoping this time around I can be patient enough to do it right where it can last. :)

Re-doing a buddies NA motor:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/RSDEVIL/004-8.jpg

^Had to make sure! You took off your front cover and I saw a corner seal I got worried ;)

if the rotor housings are of mixed series, get one that matches the undamaged good housing. don't mix the rotor housing series in one engine, it could be what killed the engine.

Karack, you were certianly right. The spring was indeed still in the e-shaft.

The guy I bought the Car off of said the motor ran for a summer. Do you think that's possible w/two different series housings...? I know the timing is different btwn the two. Anyways, here's how she sits... Motor is still assembled w/30 psi on the front rotor which is a S5 rotor housing & 90psi on the rear rotor which is a S4 rotor housing. Just some food for thought. I'd very much like to see what the inside looks like.

Beef, I'd be worried too if a complete corner seal was lingering somewhere inside the front cover. :)

Hey all...I'm the previous owner...rebuilt the engine myself, was the first one ive ever done, so that has a lot to do with why the engine blew/is odd.

basically i had to get replacement rotors/housings when i rebuilt it and one of the housings i bought ended up being S5 instead of S4, i was so sick of waiting around for parts i said screw it and built the engine anyway. could definitely contributed to the popped engine.

tho what i believe to be the true cause of the engine blowing was that the front primary fuel injector leaked at the fuel rail due to a pinched o-ring and i believe it caused a lean condition that lead to predetonation...the car was idling in the driveway when it happened at a relatives house about 100 miles from home. was NOT a fun weekend.

glad to see that she is going to get another shot at the road, really bummed me out having to move and sell it, I cant wait to get settled back in and pick up another project seven.

I'll keep subscribed to the thread here and help you out with anything i can, i learned all i know about rotaries from this car and rebuilt it all myself so i know it pretty thoroughly.

Good Luck!

BTW heard from a friend in the area they saw what looked like my car behind a suburban pulled over on the highway the day i sold it... You happen to have a run in with the Statie cops on your ride home? Looks like you made it nevertheless.

^^ What's happening brother...?? I totally missed your post. The 2nd gen section moves pretty fast and it's easy to get buried if u don't check in for a day or two. It's good to hear from you.

I layed out all the bins of parts you gave me to find some odds and ends I needed to drop the motor and came across the instructions for the seal kit you bought. After giving it a good read, something to the effect of Sodium Nitrided Super Seals intrigued me enough to crack the motor. Turned out to be RA Classics. :) Most of everything seal wise still looks to be in re-useabe condition. How many miles did you get to put on her before she let go...?

The front rotor (which was in the S5 housing) ate the rotors side surface and the front of the middle plate. I'll post up some pics so you can see as soon as I get a chance.

And yea, the state trooper stopped us not too far from where you live on the highway for not having tow lights. Being you gave me tons of paperwork on the car and everything checked out, he told me if I got off a few exits up and picked myself up a light kit from U-hual then I could be on my way.

Here's a pic of where I'm at currently. Haven't had much time lately...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/RSDEVIL/006-7.jpg

^ I'm using a carb'ed N/A set-up for now just to get her moving. I left everything so going turbo should be a simpe bolt on affair. Plus I have a "supposed" boost prepped side draft I'd like to try out. I don't know what route I'll be going yet...?

I had just finished break in on the engine when it blew...750-1000 miles on it maybe?

Wow. So everythings still pretty fresh. You picked up a full rebuild kit right...?

I have a question if anyone can help me out here vs starting a new thread...

I'm looking to get the car running / moving on a Dellorto carb for now, but without altering anything where I coudn't go back to the car's stock EFI if I chose. Can I keep the ignition set-up in it's stock configuration...?

yeah it was all brand new seals on all surfaces... :sad:

She started right up today. Nothing is plugged in on the engine harness at all. Does anything play a part in timing / ignition...? Knock sensor perhaps...??