Hey guys! I purchased a supposed 1976 13b this morning. I'm wondering what I can learn by tapping into the knowledge of the rotary geek collective.
I'm not a rotary engine expert by any means, so I need some help identifying what I have so I can figure out if it's a reasonable replacement for the 12a in my '84 GSL.
I cost next to nothing so I'm not sweating it if the motor is no good. Worst case I sell the headers and break even.
1. Is a '76 13b considerably different than the 13b's that came in FB's or FC's? If so are parts readily available for this variant?
2. The flywheel wont spin, I assume this means it's all seized up in there. Is this a death sentence? Is it worth rebuilding?
3. Is the intake manifold a stock manifold? Is it correct for this engine?
4. What carb is this, it's in pretty bad shape, can I put the nikki from my 12a on it?
5. Will these RB headers work on this motor? what's that little opening? Should it be open like that?











Any help would be appreciated!

 

1. the 74-85 engines are a lot different from the 86-03 engines. you can get rotor housings and all the seals, and all of that. irons and rotors are the big NLA parts
2. pour a lot of light oil down the carb, and let it soak. it should come apart, and if you can get it unstuck, its much easier. i would plan on a full rebuild, but you might get lucky.
3. the manifold is a stock one, not sure if its correct. and actually, you'd have to specify what it would be correct for (truck, RX4, and Rx5 might have different manifolds)
4. stock hitachi, its what they used before the nikki
5. the headers will work, they actually work better on these engines. that port was used for the air injection, but may be blocked off internally on this engine, its one thing to check when its apart

 

I got this motor from an estate sale and the previous owner had a couple SCCA SA’s, so I’d assume that’s what this was run in, and I’d wager based off of the mismatched housings this motor may built up with a variety of parts.
I have no idea what vehicle this is out of, but I’m thinking it’s probably a 76-78 motor.

I’ll try the oil, it would be nice to be able to turn it. Not knowing the condition of the engine, I plan on tearing it down and doing a rebuild on it just to see what I’m working with. Who knows he may have pulled it out of his car because he blew it up. Only one way to find out.

 

a nice combo is these side irons, with a street port, or 74 spec port. S4 rotors are a nice upgrade, much lighter, 2mm seals, etc. keep the RB header