RedRx00

for all of out there that is not willing to pay someone else to rebuild your engine and did if yourself, id like to hear about the first rotary rebuild you ever did. im about to do mine in a couple weeks and i have really been on the site everyday getting myself ready so i dont screw anything up. i bought 2 rebuild videos, one from atkins and the other is the one that bruce turrentine made, and i also bought his video of pulling the engine out of the thrid gen. id just like to hear how that first time you did it worked out, did you run into any problems, did you do anything that made it easier, what rebuild kit did you buy and were you happy with the end result when you were all finished. id also like to know if theres anything really important that would be worth doing with the engine out of the car. im doing all the vac lines, housings ported, spark plugs and wires, and a couple other things while im in there. i tried searchin for a thread like this and didnt find one so dont get on me if one already exsists.

Project84

My first rebuild was easy. It only requires basic tools, nothing fancy like a piston ring expander or anything like that. Basic tools that you can get at a cheap price. There are a couple larger size sockets you may need, especially for the flywheel nut. I ended up buying an impact gun instead of using a pipe for leverage on that thing. But overall, the rebuild was rather simple.

The only problem I ran into was when I was putting the engine back together. I had it on the engine stand, face down so I could put the rotors and engine plates back together. When I was putting the last rotor on, the smallest piece of the 3pc apex seal fell out and went down the hole where the long tension bolts go. It went all the way down to the front part of the engine. I had to take the whole thing apart to get it out, else I wouldn't be able to get a tension bolt in that hole and properly assemble the engine. Not to mention I would have been missing part of an apex seal. As I was taking the engine back apart, 2 of the coolant seals had come out, and since I had to stretch them to get them in, they wouldn't go back in the second time so I had to replace them.

The moral of the story is to cover all the holes while you are working on the engine so you don't get foreign items in the engine.

RedRx00

nice tip, i will definitely keep that im mind. yea i have tons of tools including air tools, the only thing that i know i still need is that big *** socket for the flywheel nut.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

my first rebuild was fairly unnerving, but in hindsight it was pretty easy. it was years ago, so i was younger (and much less sage ) it went fine. the engine didn't fire up on the first shot, but after about 2 weeks of trying, it turned out to be the distributor cap.

the engine ran, but after it got to normal operating temperature it would be quite frustrating to start and power would fall off. it was really strong up to about 5500 RPM, then nothing ...
i chalked it up to my using old seals and springs in front half of the motor.

the moral of my story ... at the very least, use NEW springs for a rebuild.

RedRx00

yes id have to say that if your going to take the time in getting it out of the car, and rebuilding it every seal, spring, o-ring, gasket ect... should be replaced. id like to keep this thread going, cause i know that everyone has a story with their first rebuild, and did something that they learned there lesson from that first time. also this would be a good thread for people to read, like me that are getting ready to lose their rotary viginity, lol

Conundrum 4000

lol this is funny you will all think i am dumb the first rotary engine i am building is a custom 4 rotor lol out of two old 12a's lol

RedRx00

no i dont think that is dumb, i think that your insane, lol. na j/k, i wish you all the luck in the world!!(cause your gonna need it,lol)

RotaryWeaponSE7EN

iTrader: (6)

I'm doing mine next week, I'll let u know.

.::evil inside::.

ive got a 1980 s1 13b bridgeport and the motor isnt in it nor is it running... i am wondering whether i should rebuild it myself or get it rebuilt... its meant to be easy but i dunno... i dont wanna stuff it up and im just thinking it would be better to pay the extra to get it done and have the extra bit of insurance

RedRx00

yea if you pay someone do to it, yea you do get a little bit of extra insurance but when you do it yourself and its all done and running strong you get the great feel of satisfaction that feels pretty good when its all done. its either insurance or satisfaction of doin it urself, thats what you gotta chose between

GUITARJUNKIE28

apex seals-yea.. side and corner seals are pretty much nuke proof.

.::evil inside::.

yeh i like the satisfaction, but im 16 and never had anything to do with cars before, but im that kind of person if u know what i mean... i dont have a place to work on the car either... and i have no tools so maybe i will pay, but yeh, building/rebuilding it urself u know what is where and when/if something goes wrong, u will have a better idea of what is going on..

REFLUX

bump for more info!

RedRx00

well i just started workin on mine, but im still in the process of getting it out, prolly have it out with another hour or two of work. but definitely will keep the thread updated with my first rotary rebuild experience

69 510 13B

My first rebuild was a '74 4 port 13B. I replaced all the springs, had the plates lapped and street ported it myself. That was 3 years ago and it's still running strong. There's no greater satisfaction than turning the key and having it fire up every time.

shiver

hey,

any of you out there just rebuild the engine with out any extensive experience with cars (eg. you aren't a mechanic or took some sort of course etc.) im just wondering if it can be done by the average joe (decently) just by watching the videos, reading up and some patience? because not only do you get satisfaction, you do save some money right? although a proffesional rebuild would be ideal.

thx

GUITARJUNKIE28

fly me out and i'll help