wolf_9782

compression test results are in and my FD has scored 70psi on both rotors. ouch! all this is attributed to the rebuilders that previous owner paid re-used parts that werent supposed to be according to the rotary specialist i have been meeting with. he also feels that the job may have been rushed as well.

nonetheless since my engine is going to be removed in dec. i was wondering what else i should have looked at while hes in there? i do know for a fact its a good idea to get all the hoses replaced. as for the price ive been given its going to run me about 2.8k w/ streetport included (cuz im local and the fact its single turbo set up makes it cheaper!). all the mods i have are good to go so i have an excellent base to build a fast/tough FD so i would like to have all my bases covered. thanks

linenoise

iTrader: (1)

who is doing the rebuild? I'm moving to Texas at the end of the month and my coolant seals are on their way out.

wolf_9782

the guy's name is omar he owns his own small time shop in mcallen, tx. its at the very bottom of the state close to the border of mexico. if you are moving somewhere close by you'd be able to meet him. all i know is he is the closest guy here, the next one is in san antonio about 4hrs away. after that its houston, then austin then dallas etc. im quite lucky cuz hes the ONLY guy here and even the mazda dealership sends rotaries his way.

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

what parts exactly did he tell you couldn't be "reused"? Im not saying he's wrong but I'd like to know what parts exactly.

SLOASFK

iTrader: (5)

A lot of "budget" rebuilders will replace the one broken apex seal, throw the motor back together and call it good(which it obviously isn't).

I'd like to know who did the first rebuild and what qualifies the other guy(in your mind) to do the job better?

just curious..

grimple1

iTrader: (1)

i guess that's true, too. I was thinking the new rebuilder might have told him that he needed new housings or something like that. If the op could tell us what the new guy said, it might help us steer him away from being scammed.

(not to say that housings can always be reused)

SLOASFK

iTrader: (5)

I figured that's what you were getting at, I was just trying to give his new builder the benefit of the doubt(which I really shouldn't, there are so many slimey rotary engine builders these days).

Make sure the builder takes pics of everything he does. Port work(if any), the new seals in the motor, any parts that he says are unusable(irons, housings, rotors, eshaft) and any other work he does.

wolf_9782

thanks for the concerns guys, i shouldve said at the start that he ASSUMED the previous rebuilder re-used parts that should not have been so my bad there (thanksgiving holidays were harsh on me....and my liver). anyhow, i cant remember who did the previous rebuild off the top of my head but i do have it documented at home. anyway lets get on to the nitty gritty here is what the new guy said:

-he assumes that perhaps certain parts were re-used that shouldnt have been (i told him the engine had 3k+ miles but we all know what could happen if you re-use the wrong ****)

-he says there is coolant seeping into the engine (which i knew about, but didnt say on purpose)

-he is confident the rebuild will not have to be a complete one with new housings etc (will find out when he opens it up...)

-he offered me to come watch him work every step of the way since i told him i wanted to learn more about the rotary (will take digi cam along as well for reference/memories)

now for this dude's credibility:

-he told me hes been working on rotary engines for 9yrs

-he has a reputation throughout the area, at complete random ive heard about this guy from other gear heads who have come to call him the "RX-7 master"

-he himself owns a 2nd gen (which he takes to the drag strip alot) and he has a 3rd gen he is currently working on. he has gone through 5 engines on his FC which hes had for 9yrs.

-the guys at the mazda dealership know him too, they say hes a good guy and even send rotary work his way

-talking to this guy was interesting, he blew my head off with all kinds of info. it was like i read the entire FAQ in an hour lol

overall i got a good vibe, this guy never hesitated in his explanations and always looked me in the eye with confidence. i will be asking him more questions about the rebuild as well as get some clarification on what he thinks was re-used and why in regards to the symptoms my FD is giving. once i feel comfy ill go through with it, if i dont then ****....time to rent a trailer and haul my beast to another reputable rotary specialist in the state.

Jason

iTrader: (5)

So this guy told you what was wrong with it and he hasent opened it yet? Does he have X Ray vision

There is no way to tell what was wrong or even the condition of the parts without opening it.

If this was not a motor you purchased directly from the "supposed" first builder then I wouldnt slander them on this. Who knows what the last owner did with it. If you cant state exact facts on this then its not worth posting about.

In regards to your current mechanic/builders reputation. Going thru 5 engines in 9 years on his own car isnt a good thing. Dont get me wrong, as he may be a good mechanic, but to me it sounds like he doesnt work on that many rotarys.

wolf_9782

yeah i understand completely on the whole slandering the first builder, like you say who knwos what the previous owner did with it. for all i know the guy saw he was needing to sell it so he drove it like he stole it carelessly on purpose.

as for the new guy he didnt tell me straight up "this is what is wrong w/ your engine" without having to look inside. it was more like a "this COULD be wrong with it but we wont ever know for sure until we open it". aside from the obvious coolant seal starting to go out we arent sure what else is going to need working on yet.

but like i said im gonna talk to him some more and see how it plays out with your comments in mind.