Re-Build it yourself - Easy?
 

Ok, A lot of people suggest that it is not difficult to rebuild the rotary yourself.

If this is true, then why does there seem to be so many professional rotary shops producing crap rebuilds?

Because they're cheaping out, trying to use parts that are barely passable.

The principles to rebuilding are simple.

i think a lot of people get blamed for building an engine that blows that really aren't responsible...

ex: new motor blows an apex seal....
it's not the builders fault--it's the tuners, or there was a problem to start with.

when i rebuild an engine, i give a warranty for things that i'm actually responsible for.

but to answer hte question, yea, it's rewarding to do it yourself!!

A. After rebuilding your engine, nothing in the car scares you (except maybe the transmission). At home, in the driveway, front wheels off to adjust bearings, intake & exhaust sitting on the driveway to replace the PD & some other stuff, thermostat housing removed to replace the thermostat, someone asks what you're doing: "Oh, just some minor repairs."

B. If you're going to get something done right, do it yourself.

-=Russ=-

You're asking us to answer why businesses treat their customers like shit?
Well, the list is way too long to post here...

If it was that easy, then why aren't more people doing it by themselves?


-Ted

The reasons some rebuilds dont last is because to buy all new parts gets expensive, so they reuse parts they shouldnt to keep the cost down.

i dont' think it's incredibly complicated, it's just when you're starting from scratch, it's a pretty big tool investment--only to use once--or maybe twice.

and like i said, it's not the builders fault if an apex seal goes.

What is the cost of "rebuild specific" tools needed?

It's something I would like to do one day but I'd like to know how deep it would get me into before jumping in.

Just remember you hear about 10 times as many bad experiences as you do good ones.

For me, here's what I spent or going to spend

2 1/8th socket ($25)
1/2->3/4 adaptor ($7)
Craftsman Micrometer set ($100)
Craftsman Feeler gauge ($6)
Telescoping gauge set ($20) (eBay)
Dial Calipers ($50)
Magnetic base and dial indicator ($60)
Craftsman Torque wrench ($25)
4 piece pick set ($10)


I could be missing a few stuff. Of course, you can get tools a LOT cheaper on eBay but I don't know about the quality. That is why I spec'ed the micrometers, feeler, dial calipers, dial indicator, torque wrench with more expensive and quality stuff. A cheap set of telescoping gauge set is fine as long as there is no play or looseness in it. Of course, this is not everything. There are little things here and there. I also have an air compressor and impact wrench to make things a little easier.

The best thing to do is watch a rebuild video. I just watched it, and now I'm convined of doing it myself this winter.

i slept through the rebuild video my first time. LOL
if you do your homework and read the book, the video doesn't say much

thanks DanH :)

n00b :)

where can i obtain a copy of this rebuild video?

Atkins makes a pretty comprehensive rebuild video with some good tips.

http://atkinsrotary.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=567


you can of course find it on ebay for about $15-20 as well.


i slept through it at first also but it does help alot if you watch it step by step as you work.

get the one from www.rotaryaviation.com instead
I got the Atkins one and it is VERY bare bones...though I've never done a rebuild I seriously didn't feel I learned much on how to rebuild an engine from it

I just paid for the Rotary Aviation one yesterday so it's in the mail

Bruce Turrentine > Atkins

The one I watched is the turrentine one. Very good video.

PIece of cake!!! No video needed... Just get you a shop manual

is the rotary aviation video for both N/A and turbo 13b's?

there's no major differences in how they go together.

now if judge ito would make a really advanced porting video....i'd be up on that

funny you should mention, i just got my video the other day and while watching it, 20 minutes into it, i fell asleep. watched it a second time and yea, makes me excited to get my rebuild done this winter. seems pretty simple but im just a little worried about them vaccuum hose when its reinstallation time.

Count me in too. I fell asleep after about half an hour into it. LOL

they do not stress enough on the specs of the housings for sealing purposes in the Atkins video also, you should pay close attention. though i will admit i tried and hoped mine would seal with just over the spec for end iron plate warpage and my coolant seals won't seal. so if you do rebuild yourself pay close attention to your measurements, and replace anything out of spec or it will cost you even more in the end.



edit: in case i didn't mention it, i fell asleep about 20-30 mins into watching the video the first time too... :)