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Would it be easy enough to RESTORE a rotary engine myself?

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Old 05-31-04, 05:31 PM
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Would it be easy enough to RESTORE a rotary engine myself?

Im going to buy a 1987 RX-7 turboII, now the engine is in somewhat good shape, by good shape i mean it runs. But this is my first project car let alone car wth a rotary engine. I want the engine and inside to look good as well, i hate when you look at cars that have been fixed up and painted super nice, but the inside is all dirty, rusty and other stuff like that just looks horrrible. Would a person like myself with little knowledge of rotary engines be able to take it apart and clean it,(B]with the service manual, and other books[/B] ) then reasemble it while adding some new parts to it in additioin to cleaning it up. And eventually modifying it quite a bit. Or is it so difficult i should have some guy rebuild it?, your answers would be most appreciated. with the service manual, and other books
Old 05-31-04, 05:38 PM
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Personaly, I'd say get the FSM, a haynes, a chiltons, and Atkin's video, and tackle it!
Old 05-31-04, 05:43 PM
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Are the videos pretty good? yeah i agree with you, i think it would take the fun out of your car by having somone else restoring your engine, i mean its YOUR car, and plus that way id learn about the engine.
Old 05-31-04, 05:43 PM
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Any other ideas from people, like other options i could do, that you would recomend?
Old 05-31-04, 05:45 PM
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I'd recommend the videos at www.rotaryaviation.com and just skimming throught he FSM and Haynes for other tips.

Basically, rebuilding a rotary is easy as long as you take your time cleaning the parts and measuring clearances. The only hard part will be remembering where to put back everything so snap a lot of pics and label everything. The videos will give you an idea of the level of difficulty you'll be tackling.
Old 05-31-04, 05:48 PM
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what do you mean about measureing clearances? im new to this i know
Old 05-31-04, 05:49 PM
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I rebuild and ported my motor myself. I have learned everything I know about rotaries on this forum (search button is your friend).

It really aint that hard if you have a little technological insight, the before mentioned manuals and video is a great help too.

I would reccomend you to do it yourself its a great feeling when it cranks up.

Here is my thread on the rebuild.
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=258319

Kim K. Nielsen
Old 05-31-04, 05:51 PM
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This one is a great help too.
http://bdc.cyberosity.com/pictures/1...CoverAssembly/
Old 05-31-04, 06:31 PM
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Originally posted by Handsome_Bob
what do you mean about measureing clearances? im new to this i know
means buy a caliper
Old 05-31-04, 07:38 PM
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i'm 16 and rebuilt my own engine. used rotaryaviation.com's basic rebuild kit, FSM, haynes manual, and this site. it's not that hard, just take your time man.

little heads up:

the flywheel/flexplate nut is 54mm, (2 1/8"). The sockets can be found on ebay for 13.00 including shipping, or in sears for ~25. The best way to take this nut off is with a 3/4 drive impact wrench. Otherwise, get a breaker bar, and to hold the flywheel still use the pipe/matched drilled holes/mounted to the flywheel method to hold it still while you torque the nut off. Don't get those silly flywheel pullers and counterweight pullers, just give em' a good few whacks with a hammer (i use a rubber type) or use a pry-bar method and work your way around the object being removed.

The eccentric shaft lock bolt in the front can be tough to take off also.
Old 05-31-04, 10:15 PM
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the haynes manual is crap, i would spend the like 70$ on the shop manual.
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