DOes anyone know where i could find a site that explains step by step how to rebuild a non turbo rotary engine?? any sites at all that would help me ?? any books that would help ??? basically replaceing apex and coolant seals ! thanx for any help , just wondering if its a hard job.

 

THe haynes manual has a litttle bit on rebuilding/overhawling a rotary.

 

Yea I'm wondering the same thing. Be honest here, how hard is it to change coolant and apex seals? I have a pretty good knowledge of mechanics but I've never torn an engine apart (well me and a friend tore the head off his civic motor to change the head gasket once, wasn't too hard just took a little while ). I have read that they aren't as complicated as piston engines, but I'm still not sure how hard they are lol. Also on a side note, say I buy a car that has a "worn out" (like 150K or up miles) and sort of low (like 90 or less PSi) compression, would replacing apex and coolant seals restore the compression or do you need new rotor and rotor housings too? Thanks for all the help guys!

 

look on the atkins website...they have a video about put one together...
http://www.atkinsrotary.com/

try calling them for info on the video!

 

Not really hard if you take your time, place every parts in a well organised way and have the Factory Service Manual. If you don't have it, GO AND GET IT NOW, best investment you can make for your car. Haynes is not good, at all...

For your other question, well, the only way to know is to open the engine and inspect every parts, then you'll know what's still good and what's not.

Before you start make sure you have some measuring tools, vernier & dial indicator. Also a lot easier on an engine stand.

 

There isn;t really a site but the Rebuilt video(like $25) is supposed to be great.

If I had the extra money and engine to rebuild then I'd do it.

I think the rebuild kits are a rough estimate around $1000

 

Wait...Rotary resurrection charges $1200 (S4) and $1300 (S5) for a rebuild...so I would only be saving $200-300 doing it myself instead of letting someone with 5 years experience do it (and he paints it too and it has a one year warrenty)? Why do people even bother doing it themselves then? I mean im sure after buying all the needed tools its cheaper or the same price to let him do it! Somebody please fill me in, I would learn how to do it myself but if Im only saving $2-300 its not worth my time/effort/worry!

 

Kevin is the by far the cheapest.
I would rebuild an engine by myself for the knowledge.

It could also open doors up into being a builder yourself.

 

Yeah, get the Bruce Turrentine video. Its great and a Haynes manual for backup and torque specs.

Having taking apart a Ford SOHC 4 banger engine and a 12A rotary, the rotary is waaay easier. The 13B should be near exactly the same.

 

Maybe some people just value knowledge a bit more than you do...

 

True, I guess you guys are right. Well when the time comes around that I need a rebuild I'll see if I have enough money and time to learn and buy tools! Now Im thinking that would be an awesome skill.