2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

Who has build a motor themselves?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:29 PM
  #1  
Hepcat1920's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotated
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville
Lightbulb Who has build a motor themselves?

Just want to get an idea of who has put a rotary motor together themselves.

How hard would you say it was?
How well did you do it?
Would you do it again?
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:10 PM
  #2  
rx7-kid's Avatar
Incomplete Project
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
From: Oroville, California
well i've havent build a motor but i would say its going to be easier than a piston one. i was trying to get a turbo motor for cheap and going to do a rebuild and probably street port and also paint the engine too..but i would think the only hard part about the build is the tools. correct me if im wrong
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:25 PM
  #3  
FCinMD's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Maryland USA
Originally Posted by Hepcat1920
Just want to get an idea of who has put a rotary motor together themselves.

How hard would you say it was?
How well did you do it?
Would you do it again?
The best recommendation I could give you is to NOT do it yourself.

I dont mean to question your technical abilities or expert knowledge of the 13B but there are a lot of details in a rebuild that require experience and knowledge in order to achieve the best results. Could you put together a rebuilt engine and get it running? With some research and time absolutely! Will it be the best running longest lasting engine you can put together? Probably not.

I recommend finding someone near you that was the experience to help you do a rebuild. First off they will help you identify which parts absolutely need to be replaced and what parts do not need to be replaced. This is very important, its hard to tell on your first engine what parts are good and will last another 80K and what parts should just be tossed and in the case of rotors and housing that can be a difference of either a lot of miles or a lot of money. So really you need someone who has rebuild an engine to help you decide what needs to be replaced and what doesnt, so you can A. Not waste any money on parts you dont need, and B. Get as much life out of your rebuild as possible. Along with parts, tools, space and a lot of other factors really mean you might want someone who has been through it all to help you along.

A good friend of mine always said " Never try anything youve never done by yourself the first time " - Its an idea ive always followed and its never really let me down.

Good Luck!
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:27 PM
  #4  
Turbo23's Avatar
Panda Bear
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,732
Likes: 4
From: Lititz, PA
I rebuilt my own. Do lots of research first. Pick up some video, ex; atkins, and DIY-RE. Make sure you take your time. Porting isnt that bad, find a **** iron, and pratice first, pick up a porting template from say racing beat. I would totally do it again, there are things you will want to change after the rebuild, or do different. Its just a natural learning process, take your time, and have fun.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:28 PM
  #5  
Hepcat1920's Avatar
Thread Starter
Rotated
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Burnsville
Nice quote

Nice quote!
I have not ever put one together myself, but I am astonished at the amount of self work this forum seems to do, I did a search for difficulty and found nothing, so for my personal curiosity figured I'd ask and see who had and hasn't and what they thought. Thanks for your comments!!! Keep 'em coming!
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:50 PM
  #6  
micah's Avatar
Winter sucks
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,083
Likes: 0
From: Newberg, Oregon
Order this video: http://www.atkinsrotary.com/store/cu...95&cat=0&page=
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:58 PM
  #7  
87 t-66's Avatar
not a drifter
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (133)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 6
From: Columbus, Ohio
Originally Posted by FCinMD
The best recommendation I could give you is to NOT do it yourself.

I dont mean to question your technical abilities or expert knowledge of the 13B but there are a lot of details in a rebuild that require experience and knowledge in order to achieve the best results. Could you put together a rebuilt engine and get it running? With some research and time absolutely! Will it be the best running longest lasting engine you can put together? Probably not.

I recommend finding someone near you that was the experience to help you do a rebuild. First off they will help you identify which parts absolutely need to be replaced and what parts do not need to be replaced. This is very important, its hard to tell on your first engine what parts are good and will last another 80K and what parts should just be tossed and in the case of rotors and housing that can be a difference of either a lot of miles or a lot of money. So really you need someone who has rebuild an engine to help you decide what needs to be replaced and what doesnt, so you can A. Not waste any money on parts you dont need, and B. Get as much life out of your rebuild as possible. Along with parts, tools, space and a lot of other factors really mean you might want someone who has been through it all to help you along.

A good friend of mine always said " Never try anything youve never done by yourself the first time " - Its an idea ive always followed and its never really let me down.

Good Luck!
you gotta start somewhere...if you have the proper tools and are somewhat mechanically inclined i say get a good rebuild video and read read read. dont be afraid to ask for help. on the other hand if you cant put a bicycle together by yourself then i definately wouldnt try it.
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 06:59 PM
  #8  
RX7Tuner.'s Avatar
I really Schruted it
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: Grand Rapids, MI
I am at the tail end of rebuilding my first 13b. I did about 6 months of research before I felt comfortable tearing it open and going at it. I have a lot of experience with piston engines and I found that once you understand the rotary, it's much easier to work on and rebuild. Almost all of the rebuild is cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. If you are going to attempt it, you must buy a rebuild video. Do not try it without a video. It is the best investment you can make towards a good rebuild.
Overall, I would say it's worth trying if you think you consider yourself decent with engines(i.e. change your own oil, brakes, waterpump, maybe a headgasket or two...) Also, be prepared to buy the correct tools. Jobs are so much easier with the right tool.
Take you time, label things, take pictures, be organized!

Brian
Reply
Old Jan 30, 2007 | 07:08 PM
  #9  
Latin270's Avatar
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 2
From: Allentown, PA - Paterson, NJ
Its not that hard! Once you rebuild it and it fires up......well theres nothing quite like that feeling! A day you will never forget! Good luck!
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 04:55 AM
  #10  
hIGGI's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 25 Years
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 18
From: Czech Republic [www.rx7cz.net]
If you think u will do it only once, leave it to someone experienced....
But if you feel like doing it every month, go ahead and learn....with every rebuild you get smarter and better and after doing 20th engine, you wont see anything hard on it (except getting all parts clean )
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 06:51 AM
  #11  
fcdrifter13's Avatar
Play Well
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,218
Likes: 0
From: We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?
I have to rebuild my own. The closest shop to me is kevins and I just dont have the means to get and engine to TN. Dosnt mean I wouldt like someone else doing it, I just cant lol.

The videos really help ALOT ALOT. I wouldnt do my first rebuild without them and a good manual. Just take things slow read and watch as much as you can and itll be all good.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 07:41 AM
  #12  
My5ABaby's Avatar
Rotaries confuse me
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,219
Likes: 3
From: Murfreesboro, TN
Read up on this forum, order the video mentioned before, and give it a shot. If you mess it up, so be it. Humans have been using trial and error since the beginning of time and we've made it thus far. Ignore the people that are telling you not to because you've never done it before.

There's also nothing better than feeling a sense of self-satisfaction from a job well done.

Originally Posted by FCinMD
The best recommendation I could give you is to NOT do it yourself.

I dont mean to question your technical abilities or expert knowledge of the 13B but there are a lot of details in a rebuild that require experience and knowledge in order to achieve the best results. Could you put together a rebuilt engine and get it running? With some research and time absolutely! Will it be the best running longest lasting engine you can put together? Probably not.

I recommend finding someone near you that was the experience to help you do a rebuild. First off they will help you identify which parts absolutely need to be replaced and what parts do not need to be replaced. This is very important, its hard to tell on your first engine what parts are good and will last another 80K and what parts should just be tossed and in the case of rotors and housing that can be a difference of either a lot of miles or a lot of money. So really you need someone who has rebuild an engine to help you decide what needs to be replaced and what doesnt, so you can A. Not waste any money on parts you dont need, and B. Get as much life out of your rebuild as possible. Along with parts, tools, space and a lot of other factors really mean you might want someone who has been through it all to help you along.

A good friend of mine always said " Never try anything youve never done by yourself the first time " - Its an idea ive always followed and its never really let me down.

Good Luck!
Hate to break it to you, but your friend is a f*cking idiot. By his philosophy, he's still a virgin that lives in his parents house. I mean... if he's never had sex, how can he try it himself? Or, if he's never lived on his own, how will he be able to?

EVERYBODY has to start somewhere.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:02 AM
  #13  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Take a look at this topic:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374810

It covers the easy stuff (engine assembly) when building an engine. It's a complete walkthrough step-by-step. What it does not cover is the cleaning and inspection which is what takes up most of your time. As others have said, the various rebuild videos are a great investment.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:07 AM
  #14  
lupin's Avatar
Rupanrx
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: MASSHOLE
It took me 2 hours to build the rotors and 2 hours to build the engine when I first rebuilt my engine. Make sure to get 2 videos so you can watch watch they do different.

You can do it if you try. I bought 2 new rotor housings and a new front plate and a atkins full rebuild kit so my rebuild wasn't cheap. Your rebuild can be a cheap fix though.

I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am trying to find more engines to do so ^_^.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:21 AM
  #15  
Boost Lee's Avatar
Dark Lord of the Drift
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,640
Likes: 2
From: Tacoma WA
I'm lucky in that Atkins Rotary is down the road from me. When I decided to rebuild my engine, I went down with all my parts and spent the day cleaning housings and prepping rotors. I came home and put together the sandwich in a couple hours.

Prep work is paramount. Assembly takes less skill
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2007 | 09:28 AM
  #16  
V8slayer's Avatar
Tire Smoken Tandm Gambler
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 546
Likes: 1
From: Eau Claire Wisconsin
whats the avrage cost for this rebuild are we talking OEM specs? or with all thos tricks with other seals from other gens and stuf i just got an intrist in this
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2007 | 09:12 PM
  #17  
dstnbmx's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: atlanta
yes im too interested in the price of doing it, and does anyone have a link to pictures of a diy port
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2007 | 10:08 PM
  #18  
iceblue's Avatar
Passing life by
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 2
From: Scotland, USA
V8slayer around 3.8k and up
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2007 | 11:12 PM
  #19  
patman's Avatar
Resident Know-it-All
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 4
From: Richland, WA
Originally Posted by FCinMD
The best recommendation I could give you is to NOT do it yourself.

I dont mean to question your technical abilities or expert knowledge of the 13B but there are a lot of details in a rebuild that require experience and knowledge in order to achieve the best results. Could you put together a rebuilt engine and get it running? With some research and time absolutely! Will it be the best running longest lasting engine you can put together? Probably not.

I recommend finding someone near you that was the experience to help you do a rebuild. First off they will help you identify which parts absolutely need to be replaced and what parts do not need to be replaced. This is very important, its hard to tell on your first engine what parts are good and will last another 80K and what parts should just be tossed and in the case of rotors and housing that can be a difference of either a lot of miles or a lot of money. So really you need someone who has rebuild an engine to help you decide what needs to be replaced and what doesnt, so you can A. Not waste any money on parts you dont need, and B. Get as much life out of your rebuild as possible. Along with parts, tools, space and a lot of other factors really mean you might want someone who has been through it all to help you along.

A good friend of mine always said " Never try anything youve never done by yourself the first time " - Its an idea ive always followed and its never really let me down.

Good Luck!
you, sir, are full of it.

If you personally are afraid to try new things without someone holding your hand, thats fine, but dont encourage others to do the same.

I built my first motor with nothing more than a rebuild kit, the FSM, and info i got from this and other forums. It is actually one of the best motors i ever built, probably because it was my first one so I was super cautious and paid attention to every little detail.

As far as how easy it is to do, it is much easier than a piston motor if youve ever done that. There is no way you can get anything out of time or antyhing dumb like that. Just install all the seals correctly and bolt it up, torque it to the proper specs, and your ready to go. The actual assembly can be done in an hour or two. If you want to get into porting and stuff, then I'd say take your time and do it an hour at a time over a week or so, that way you dont get ahead of yourself. Search the forum, theres all kinds of good info on here...

Pat
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2007 | 01:33 AM
  #20  
sleeepyhead's Avatar
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: bay area
ive done it and it was pretty easy. The hardest part is cleaning and porting. Also make sure u have a fsm or haynes and a rebuild video to get tips. I did pretty well, considering it started up when the timing was set and it takes all the abuse i can give it. I will do it again really soon as my friends motor just blew a coolant seal. If you do it, use all oem stuff and fd corner seal springs
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2007 | 01:39 AM
  #21  
fastrotaries's Avatar
W. TX chirpin Monkey
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,684
Likes: 0
From: Mesquite, TX
After popped engines you'd think I would learn....But I still don't have the motivation or the *****.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2007 | 05:42 AM
  #22  
BlueTII's Avatar
Banzai Racing
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 3
From: Indiana
It really comes down to having the correct tools, a place to do it and most off all enough cash in case you mess it up and have to rebuild it again. We have seen numerous DIY rebuilds come ito the shop to be rebuilt, some lasted a few miles, some never started. It was always due to something that the DIYer overlooked or just did wrong.

After the first 5-10 engine builds it becomes very simple, after a few hundred you can do it in your sleep.

Best thing you can do is buy the DVD watch it a few times, then determine if it is something you think you can do. You will not be out any real money and you will be able to know what your builder is talking about when he/she mentions something specific. Then you can always sell the DVD....
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FD7KiD
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
15
Feb 26, 2021 10:12 PM
Azevedo
Other Engine Conversions - non V-8
26
Mar 1, 2019 09:19 PM
FD7KiD
Single Turbo RX-7's
1
Aug 17, 2015 11:50 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:01 PM.