Hi I just bought a 1988 Rx-7 GTU and it does not run currently. Apparently what happened was the previous owner installed a clutch fan and bent the pulley on the water pump housing causing the fan and housing to shake rather violently. It eventually caused the tab on top of the front iron to break off. I have 2 choices either weld the tab back on or replace the front iron. The tab is only like 1-1.5"s long and .5" thick. If I was to weld it back on would there be any danger to the engine or anything else?

 

Im mostly worried about maybe the heat from the welder melting a gasket inbetween the irons. But the piece that needs to be welded back on is so small I dont think the heat would spread that far.

 

bump please help.

 

I would weld it back on. You shouldn't generate an excessive amount of heat for that small an area.

 

I have the same issue on my 87SE the "lobe" on the front plate broke off because the shims werent used when a new waterpump was installed.

Before tearing down the entire engine to replace the front iron im going to try and get is welded first and just make sure that its done carefully not to generate to much heat and warp a coolant passage or something else...

 

tell me how that goes.

 

I'm confused as to which tab you are talking about.... got any pics? Are you going to be able to obtain a sufficient seal between the pump housing and the iron?

 

its the top mounting point for the waterpump housing to the frontplate. its the "lobe" i've circled in blue and the fracture is the red line.

 

Someone forgot to put the washer/spacer on the water pump housing stud and the force broke it off.

You bastard, my friend was gonna buy that car from dustin 6 hours after you bought it!

Anyways, your only logical option, is to buy an o-ring and gasket set and take apart the engine, replace the front iron, and put it together and back in the car. I offered to help dustin do it but he decided to get another dsm instead.

So yeah if you need help, i'm in town, and that thermostat water pump housing and waterpump that came spare with the car actually was given to him for free by me.

David Moore has an extra set of NA irons lying around and you could use one of those. PM me if you're interested in help.

 

In case the welding doesnt work how much will an o-ring and gasket set run and would a complete tear down need to be done at that point?

 

About $240
and yes you have to take the engine apart and put the seals in the exact same places.

Also you could have the engine ported and remove the rats nest at that point too.

 

I have tried welding this, and it was a wash.. I am not telling you NOT to try it, I am just telling you what happened when I tried it..

 

but wasnt that before you found out about the necessary spacers for that mounting point?

I've never rebuilt an engine before and this is my first rotary so i dunno if im ready for that yet lol

 

and for future reference, where might i pick this up?

 

I thought of just running a shorter bolt through the water pump and housing and not connecting it to the mounting point. I havent tried it yet the only thing is if the waterpump housing to front iron gasket will hold with out it.

 

it wont...thats my problem right now. Because that mount is broken the waterpump is not sealing completely at the top and is leaking coolant from the top of the housing... the bolt is definitely needed.

 

Well you'd be able to get it from me if i go get it i live in the east end of louisville, or if you go get it directly from the guy that was gonna' give it to me his dad's shop is in shelbyville ky. Or you could go up to palmyra indiana because i know people up there who have tons of spare na parts.

What part of louisville do you live in?

 

I think you were answering my question about where to get it, but im not from KY lol

 

Is it leaking from the engine side of the water pump housing or the water pump side?

 

Who owns the car? I figured it was sakusha since they listed the thread and says theyre from louisville and i know of a car that was for sale like this not too long ago.

Bought it for $500 plus like $150 2 weeks later?

 

Yea i bought the car from dusting i think the other guy has the same problem though.

 

arent you on Louisville VW too? Im on there as well. Ive got 97 gti 2.0 and a 88 16v cabby.

 

Yeah i'm on there, i used to have an 83 GTI.

If you need help with your car let me know.

Whats your username on there?

 

Oh, and other guy, i'd buy an o-ring and gasket kit and find someone in your area with a front iron. AND MAKE SURE TO PUT THE WATERPUMP HOUSING BACK ON WITH SHIMS.

 

Im RedGTI138 on CVOL and Skashua on 502SS