vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Hey Guys,

Well there are leaves on the trees, so that means it's warm enough out for another episode in Project Keiko.

---Edit: Here are the other chapters of the project, for easy reference---
Project Keiko - Helping a friend
Project Keiko Part II - Exterior, Seals, and Engine Bay Teardown
Project Keiko Part III - Engine Removals
Project Keiko Part IV - Tri-Engine Teardowns I
Project Keiko Part V - Tri-Engine Teardowns II
Project Keiko Part VI - Engine Build I
Project Keiko Part VII - Rotor Seals Assembly
Project Keiko Part VIII - Week Of Crazyness
Project Keiko Part IX - End of Season Update
Project Keiko Part X - Spring 2009 Update
Project Keiko Part XI - Another Engine, Ready to Start
Project Keiko Part XII - Up For Sale
---/Edit---

I wish the news were more positive... but I'll lay it out and we'll see where we stand.

On the weekend I had a friend over and set down the goal that we were going to do everything in our power to get Keiko started. We hadn't had much chance to do any troubleshooting before winter set in, but everything was in place so I was pretty hopeful.

First problem - one ignitor and one ignition coil were bad, so we swapped those.

To make a long story short, in the process of trying to troubleshoot the no-start condition I swapped over the following from Naomi, my daily-driving seven:

- Both ignition coils
- Both igniters
- Dizzy Cap and Rotor
- Spark Plug Wires
- Spark Plugs
- Sterling Carb and associated (carb spacer, vac advance vac hose)

We managed to set the timing while cranking it so that both leading and trailing were spot-on.

But even with all those parts swapped over, perfect spark on all 4 plugs, a decent cranking speed (still a little slow, but I think we got "enough" speed while boosting it) and a carb we know works beautifully, the car wouldn't start. Even starting fluid didn't give us anything.


So I'm calling the 12a dead. It was doomed from the start... Even the "best" of all the parts from those three 12as that I took apart in the fall were below spec. Heck, one of my other threads shows the apex seals, and the best one I had was still below the shop manual's min spec. The side seals weren't much better, and there was a groove in my "best" irons that I could feel with my fingernail. I basically threw it together figuring "what the heck, let's try it" but the result was pretty much as expected - crappy parts = dead 12a.

So now I'm looking for a cheap, running 12a to swap in. We're 90% of the way to making this a car, here's what's left:

Items to Get
- One Headlight Relay
- One Trunk Piston Bolt (the one with the spherical head that the trunk lifter/piston clips on to at the bottom)
- One Ignition Coil
- One Ignitor
- Block-Off Bolt for Brake Master Cyl (no rear brake line)
- 2-Sided Tape for Rubber Molding

To Do
- Bleed Clutch
- Block Rear Spot on Master cyl
- Bleed Front Brakes
- Remove Tools, etc… From interior
- Vacuum Carpets, install seats, door panels, rear panels
- Verify Spare, Jack, Tire Iron
- Install Driver’s Door Seal
- Use 2-sided tape on Molding
- Install 2nd Headlight Relay
- Install Ignition Coil and Ignitor


- Swap Engine Block
- Install Rear Brake Line
- New Rotors, Drums, Shoes, Pads
- Install E-brake Cable
- Buy Battery, Install
- Rust & Body Work


The separation between the two halves of the to-do list comes from what I'm about to say next...

At this point, despite being *so close*, it's going to take a good amount of time, effort, and especially money to finish this car. Marc's car is progressing at the new paint shop, and while it's not close enough for me to call it "done" yet, I'm seriously thinking of "wrapping up" some loose ends and selling this project.

I was hoping that I could get it started, moving, and stopping on its front brakes, but at this point it's probably another $500 between me and that goal, if not more, and that would still leave lots to do on the brakes and rust work... So I figure I'm going to wrap up the first half of the ToDo list and see if anyone wants to take the project from there.

I'm trying to pay off my remaining student loan and VISA so that I can buy a Mazda6 in the fall for my winter car and start picking up some much needed stuff for the condo I want to get next year. As it is, Keiko is going to take a good chunk of that cash to finish, so I'm considering cutting my losses.

All that would basically be left is a 12a swap, brakes, and rust work. Add a few interior pieces if you want to be fancy and you're all set.

Of course, I really hate admitting defeat.. and I love these cars... so if I come across some good deals I might just say "ah what the heck" and finish it anyway.


SO.... If anyone's got any of these parts, or wants to pick up the project themselves, let me know

For the folks expecting pics, there will be a ton of them coming this weekend. I get a week off starting Friday and I plan to do as much to this car as I can this upcoming week, with what little cash I've got right now.

So what do you all think?

-Jon

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Sorry to hear about that Jon, personally if I were you I'd start searching for a decent used 12a, the one in my 83 I got for $300 and its been in there for years and still running beatifully, I'm sure you could find a similar deal if you look hard enough. After all the time you've spent on it you might as well keep going.
I can understand where you're coming from though, I think we've all been at that point with our projects at least once...

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

pull/push start it, you can get ANY rotary to run, no matter how bad it is by letting it get some rpm.

-xlr8planet-

iTrader: (3)

I think you should try to push / pull it first

since its an assembly of used parts, you need some run time for everything to settle a bit

It wont crank start on the first try

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Well... it would need brakes first, and to bleed the clutch, two things that are also on the list.

Jon

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Yea they have a good point, I put together an engine for my FC out of used parts, and it was very hard to start at first, now it fires right up, try anything to get it going and see where you're at at that point.

dj55b

iTrader: (2)

don't tell me I told you so :P .. push start it lol .. Still haven't had a chance to look at the other engine. Won't be able to try to get it going till mid next week ... sorry for the delay Jon

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the help Sam. I've got a lead on another one, we'll see if that works out (though if that's a parts car the guy is getting there are a few other misc bits I could use!)

I'll have the money mid-week... so if I'm really lucky and this pans out I might be able to have the engine swapped in and running by next weekend... here's hoping!

Jon