My friend and I are tearing down his 86 n/a FC. well his rotor's are rusted and look pretty terrible he thinks he can reuse it but i don't think so what do you all think?

 

My first response is NO!

However, if you are hard up for rotors and there is no rust on any of the thrust surfaces (doesn't look like there is), and if all clearances check out once the rust is removed, and the pitting isn't more than half a MM or so, then yes, it can be used again.

 

Odds are you are going to damage the side seal groove trying to remove the side seals as they will break off in the rotor. Not to mention the severe pitting which scare some builders who think it will cause hot spot issues and lead to detonation. Also the apex seal groove is likely pitting along the edges and in severe causes like yours the corner seal grooves will likely be pitted and not all the corner seals to slide smoothly. If you have a lot of experience with the internals of the rotary engine these rotors are likely saveable for a low quality build or race/drift engine. However, unless you are really hard up for cash the time you spend to POSSIBLY save these rotors isnt worth it. They will make a nice conversation piece though.

 

well my opinion is by the looks of it NO!!!!

maybe after a lot of work it might be usable but...

 

You could probably pick up some better condition used rotors for pretty cheap. That's what I would do if I wanted to keep the cost down.

New rotors look like they are ~700 each.

What's your time worth? How long do you want the engine to last?

If you don't have a lot of money available for this engine build, and don't mind taking a moderate risk, I think you could probably clean them up with a LOT of work and make something that would run and drive for a while... but keep in mind, if they cause a failure, it's a lot of labor to dig back in there and redo your rebuild. Shitty rotors might also lead to another failure such as apex seals that could destroy new (expensive) rotor housings.

My 2 cents.

 

Sorry, but your friend isn't too bright.

That's a paperweight. What do the rest of the internals look like?

 

if it's a paperweight send it to me. you guys will pitch just anything won't you?

yes it will take a bit to clean it up, but odds are it WILL work just fine assuming you can get all the seals out without damaging the rotor.

whatever will you guys do when you can't buy parts off the shelf, at the wreckers or from ebay?

question you have to ask yourself is: is it worth spending 2-3 hours to salvage it versus finding a better condition replacement?

 

I agree... Its worth a try... Clean it up and see whats up.

Take a wire wheel to the combustion faces, but be easly on the sides, scotch bright pad and 400 600 1000 grit sand paper.

 

For a series 4 n/a rotor, I wouldn't spend the time. Plus, looking at those pictures if I'm a betting man it's not going to be salvagable---- IMO of course.

And I agree, it comes down to what your time is worth.

 

Nah ****'ll buff out.

Honestly S4na id just hang on to it for another day and get a good used one.

 

i'd personally throw it in a box and find another as well. but doesn't mean it won't clean up.

 

give'm the electrolysis treatment then re-evaluate,