I'm finally making the step from just saying "rotaries are cool" to actually picking one up.
I'm a pretty experienced Honda/Acura guy, and once my hybrid Integra sells, I'll be in the market for a '89-'90 NA.
I have rebuilt numerous Honda powerplants, and know what is possible to be reused in a rebuild.
On a 13b, are you able to reuse anything safely?
ie. bolts, springs, etc??
Thanks...

 

it can be as simple as orings, seals and gaskets - or as complicated as rotors, housings and all seals. just depends much like a pistion engine on miles and maintenance plus some luck.

 

Pretty muck luck o' the draw, eh?
I just got a list from the dealer that came out to CDN$1620 or US$1250 for everything but the big hard pieces.
The car I'm looking at has 90,000miles on it, so it probably won't need much, if anything.
Thanks though...

 

for a rebuild kit? go to www.rotaryaviation.com and look at their rebuild kits.

 

Nice, appreciate that...

 

I reccomond not buying anything until you tear the motor down and check the spec's of every part. This way you do not pre buy too much. Also, larger parts can be had cheaper used (with some risk). I have bought housings and rotors of this board many times at far less than new prices.

I am doing a motor now for a vert I am completly restoring, I am using new rotor housings as I already have several thousands of $$ invested in body, uplostery and the engine.

 

With only 90k of miles, I'd make sure you do a compression check before you tear anything down.. It will most likely NOT need anything done to, other than a regular tune up like you should always do when you get a new car. Unless you want just want to rebuild an engine for the fun of it

PS - If you're going to rebuild, I'd recommend getting Bruce Torrentine's (Sp?) "How to overhaul your 13b" video, availible from rotaryaviation as listed above, or atkinsrotary. for the 30 bucks, it's well worth

 

You guys use anything to rough up the housings to bed in the apex seals?

 

I clean the housing very well, and thats it. If you reuse the seals make sure they go back in the exact same position as they came out of. Makes break in much faster.

 

I'll be totally up front about this one...I'll probably tear it down in the first weekend just to check things out...for the fun of it...
No timing belts, no cam phasing, no valve spring retainers...I can't wait to play with these cars.
Not looking forward to porting cast iron housings though...

 

OK, so it isn't absolutely necessary to replace all of the seals(apex, oil, coolant) when the engine is opened up then? Within reason of course...

 

just keep everything labeled, seperate. Plastic fishing lure boxes with moveable divicerd work very well.

 

Really appreciate the info, guys.
Anyone want a modded 8400rpm Acura?

 

ummmmm nope!