I am pretty familiar with what goes into rebuilding
a piston engine, but what does a rotary take?

How hard is it to do with the right tools?

 

All the seals usually unless they are within spec. Usually if an apex sseal takes out the engine then you need a housing and rotor most of the time since the apex seal's exit does damage to those parts.

 

What he said. But while you're in there, you might as well replace all the seals as they're quite annoying to get to with the engine assembled. Standard hand tools are all you need, as well as a set of feeler gauges, a mic and a dial indicator. Also, you'll need a 54MM or 2 1/8" socket for the flywheel nut.

I would suggest picking up the Bruce Torrentine rebuild video from Rotary Aviation.

 

It's basically the same thing.

Tear the engine down (there are a few tricks involved)...
Keep track of all the parts...
Replace parts that are worn beyond spec...
Rebuild the engine...

There are a few specialty tools, but nothing really fancy (unless you count the 360lb-ft torque spec for the flywheel nut).  You sound like you can get your hands on most any tool available.



-Ted

 

I wanted to make sure before I go out and
get one that I wasnt getting into something
I couldn't work on myself should the need
arise.

Thanks!

 

I hate to resurrect this thread but... I figure making a new thread would be even gayer....

Would one of those rebuild videos (i.e. aviation rotary) cover the teardown process?

Everyone has told me that these rotaries are a cinch to rebuild and I should definitely give it a try but I'm really afraid of... being overconfident, buying this fc, then getting stuck on the teardown... the deepest I've ever dug on my eclipse = removing IC piping... and I guess replacing the thermostat

Is the FSM sufficient to get me through it all or do I need more?

 

The engine removal video covers things like removal of the engine and the parts support so you can bring it down to smallblock form. The other video shows you how to rebuild the engine. I highly recommend the rebuild video. I mean...$35 will save you a lot of headaches anyways.

Its easy to rebuild. At least for me. I've torn down an SOHC inline 4 before and its not fun. Just make sure parts are within spec with the 13B and that you measure them right. The FSM is sufficient but doesn't hurt to pick up the video and a Haynes manual too for other references.

 

hmm where can i get this removal video?

this is all ive found http://www.rotaryaviation.com/overhaul_video.htm

(from searches on this forum at least..)

 

Trust me, the video is all you need. I have it and it is AWESOME!! It's about four hours and goes thru everything: teardown, measurements, overhaul and more. It even shows common mods like bypassing the E-shaft thermostat and porting. You can get it from Bruce Turrentine's (the producer) website:

www.rotaryresources.com

cheers,

Hakan