I did a search but I came up with a ton of threads and I went through 11 pages and figured Id just reask the question so its updated for anyone else who wants to know. my motor went on saturday night. I think it may possibly need a new rotor as well as housing. I have never torn down a rotary but have done piston motors before. I have pulled the motor and have it down to a shortblock already. Im very mechanically inclined, I do all my own work on the 7 and have for the last 3 years. Is this something I should even attempt? I have the rebuild video, and everything seems explained well, just will take time, which I have plenty of at this point. Ive done everything on this car, from the fuel system to single turbo setup, the only thing I havent messed with is the motor itself, and I want to learn so I know for future reference. Let me know what you guys think I should do, and if youve ever done a rebuild yourself, and what experience you had when u did it alone with the results

 

If you are mechanically inclined and it sounds like you are, it's really not that bad.
Just make sure you have all the correct tools when doing the rebuild. (caliper, micrometer, depth gauge etc. the rebuild video explains everything you need) Also decide at this point if you want to do any kind of porting.

 

just hack into it. you'll learn as you go.

 

any other advice

 

Where are you in MA? I've rebuilt my motor a few times now.......might be able to help you out. I'm in NJ right now. Shoot me a PM if you want to discuss further

 

Oh to rebuild a motor...the fun is endless (because it's not a matter of IF but when it will blow). Don't be scared. It's only mechanics.

 

What I'm wondering if anyone regreted doing it on their own. Meaning, if they wondered after the rebuild was done wouldn't it be better if they went with a reman or similar...

How long did your rebuild last ?

Thing is that if you look at prices of seals and gaskets you are already over half of the price of a reman

 

i blew up one motor i rebuilt...my afr's wer high 10's, about 14 degrees total advance on a streetport, and only like 12 psi boost.

didn't find out until after i pulled it apart my apex seal grooves in the rotors were out of spec and the seal mechanically snapped from the slack. on that build, i didn't check clearances (i only get lazy when i'm doing my own stuff).

so if you go by the book and actually check everything, you should be just fine. if you run into any questions, there's probably hundreds of guys on here willing to answer them and help out...

 

i rebuilt mine, and don't regret it.

if you want to learn about it, are looking for something to do, have the time, etc... rebuild it yourself. it's not the hard. the "hardest" part is patience in cleaning all the pieces. Depending on the tools you have, and what your time is worth - you'll save some money.

If you just want to get your car back on the road and start driving again, you could just get a reman from malloy mazda, pull your old one out and drop the new one in. that should cost about $2800-3000 (i think).

If you do it yourself, get the video. it makes it SO easy.

 

what video ?

where from ??

 

I got my tapes(overhauling the 13B/ Removing-replacing the rotary engine) from Atkinsrotary.com 1-888-3rotary

 

I've rebuilt mine. You'll actually be suprized how easy it is. Just make sure you take your time. Study the manual (and the video) before hand, and put a lot of effort into cleaning and spec'ing the parts. It'll pay off in the long run, trust me.

Also, there's a welth of knowledge from experienced people on this forum (and the "other" one). Don't be scared to ask questions, as most people are more than willing to help you out.

Rob

 

http://www.nopistons.com/forums/inde...howtopic=42529

at the bottom...I couldn't post pics on this forum???

 

my friend and i just ported and rebuilt his turbo II engine, it was easy

 

http://rotaryresources.com/

That's the web site for bruce turrentine. He made the video and is making a new one which will include things like porting the engine.

You can also get all your OH materials from him (probably cheaper than anywhere else).

 

well the motor is out, now I debate on what to do

 

it will be much more expensive the first time you do it...TOOLS!!

After that expense, it'll be cheaper in the long run...why pay someone thousands and wait in a long line of people who need motors???

 

ok, off the top of my head , these are some things which you might not have, but will need:

52mm socket (i believe it's 52)
a breaker bar which will fit it - a long (like 3 feet) pipe to act as an extension
flywheel attchment to hold the flywheel (or make one, borrow, etc...)
measuring tools to spec the rotors/housings, etc...
torque wrench up to 100 ft lbs (maybe more, can't recall)

you might as well replace the clutch fork and resurface the flywheel - hell replace the clutch too ($70+$40+$300 or so for all 3, respc.)

spare money to replace vac lines which have become brittle.

that's some stuff, i'm sure others will chime in with what i'm forgetting -

 

yea.
or you can be like me and find out the hard way.... but it never happened to me again!!!

if i can't learn the hard way, i guess i just won't learn at all!

 

Rebuilt my own, make sure you go over everything with a torque wrench and torque to spec. Was a lot of fun doing it myself.

Though i had friends locally that were rebuilding motors at the same time, so i had a wealth of info and help.

 

FLYWHEEL IS 54mm

 

Although, it's a lot easier (and usually cheaper) to get a 2 1/8." Works just as well.

 

thanks for all the help and responses from everyone, i really appreciate it

 

the only thing i'm apprehensive about atm is porting. since you are basically hand milling your own cam profile and lift. i haven't heard enough about different port profiles, it doesn't seem to be talked about like cams are in piston engines. people just go "stock, street, bridge or p" there is alot of timing variation on each style that isn't talked about nearly enough.

anyone have input on this? i'm only beginning to learn the science of cam profiles.

 

you can pm me with specific questions--i'm no guru or anything, but i've learned quite a bit on this over the last year.

reason i say pm is because it'll be a rather lengthy answer.