Build RX7 Engine By Myself
 

Hey guys,

I was wondering what the possibility of building or repairing an RX7 rotary engine on my own would be. I've heard that the engines usually have to be rebuilt, and was wondering if I could do it on my own, instead of shelling out a whole bunch of money to pay someone to rebuild it. I searched the forum for a while, and didn't see anything.

Thanks to those that reply kindly, and again, I apologize if there are already threads on this topic. If you wish not to reply, and know of a thread, I would much appreciate if you could possibly post the link to the thread. :icon_tup:

Thank you all,
Sam

Sam,

Sure, you could do it yourself. It isn't all that hard. Mostly, it only takes basic tools and taking your time. There are a couple special tools (2-1/8" socket for the flywheel and enough muscle to get it off/back on (it is torqued to ~300 ft-lb), some feeler gauges, dial indicators, etc. for clearancing). Most of these "special tools" are what you might use in a piston engine rebuild.

There are several good rebuild videos out there that could give you an idea of what you need to do. You might also pick up a Haynes manual to look it over as these usually have a good step-by-step of how everything comes apart and goes back together.

When I got my RX-7, it was before the 7 club existed. You would talk to local "rotary experts". Most would scare you off saying "Oh, you need $1000 in special tools to rebuild a rotary engine" or "Mechanics even won't rebuild a rotary engine as they are too complicated". In fact, the rotary engine is very simple (just different) and there are very few "special" tools, and the ones that are "special" can often be borrowed/rented.

Kent

Kent,

Thank you for all of your help. I will definitely try to find some of those videos and learn from them. I had just heard all of the horror stories about people constantly rebuilding engines and breaking down, and was looking for other options other than paying a few thousand dollars to rebuild it every time.

Sam

The most common major failure is the seals. Around here, you can get your new seals in your engine for $700 to $1000. It's still a pain to pull it, but you don't have to spend the big bucks, and if you do it more than once, you probably aren't doing proper maintenance.

I rebuilt mine a week after I got it not knowing a thing about rotors, watched a few rebuild videos and away i went, it took 6 weeks from start to finish cost $2500 AU in total for everything It was also so easy the hardest bit was getting the engine in and out of the engine bay (series 8)


Mate have a crack, do your research and you will be shitting yourself with pride after you do it

Thanks Shippy, congrats on your successful rebuild!! Yeah, just transitioning from high school college I'm looking for anything that can keep the cost of repairs down and keep more money for mods!!! I'll definitely have to do some more research to prepare for when I buy mine! I can hardly wait, I just want it now!!

Do you have any pictures of your car?? I would love to see it!

Sam

This is a great FREE rebuild video. (Made by Aaron Cake here on RX-7 Club.)-> Aaron Cake's 13B Rebuild Video

All right thanks!! Yeah I just didnt want to spend over $3,000 on rebuilding when I think I could do it with a lot of time.



dwb87, thanks for the video!! I'm sure that will definitely make the process much easier.

I'm just posting here to try to get ideas about what I might be able to do. I don't actually have the car yet, and just wanted to see what was possible for me to do, so thank you very much to everyone that has helped!!! :nod:

Im content with assembling piston engines. Rotarys seem more simple just alot of rings and seals although i have not taken one apart and put it back together myself.

Rotary aviations is well known and liked for their great rebuild vid, there's ppl on the forum that sell some and the fd3s forum has a few for sale as well

All right, thanks!! I'm definitely going to be doing a lot of research for the next few years to get ready, I can't wait to start! :)

was it successive?

And knowledge is the best tool you can acquire. ^

I agree wish I could afford to buy it right now but its not the right time, what with working on college, looking for volleyball scholarships, and not having a place of my own Im just going wait until I have a more secure plan, research a lot, then buy when I'm ready.

I've seen videos with people using sandpaper to grind down the seals. Anyone have a better tool so I know I'm grinding them square?

this helped me alot now glad you asked bout it

A table grinder or stationary grinding wheel would be most efficient.

Watch Aaron Cake's video that I posted above.

Aaron cake is my hero

rebuilt the engine in my '88, currently have 17k on it & still running well. All it takes is confidence & reading up on what you're going to do before you do it.

Go for it!

The only engine Ive ever rebuilt is a rotory. It took me about 3 weeks after work and a few bottles of Crown Royal. I used the Hanes i think, but have a factory book now. I labled everything, got some large posterboard for the rotors and everything went perfect until the guy with the title disappeared! It sits in ocala, fl rotting now.

alot of ppl say cleaning is the hardest, i would think its making sure everything has the proper clearance, i would be so paranoid putting the engine back in my car after a rebuild, hoping i didnt mess something so little as not pushing a seal in the groove correctly or something like that, am i just to worried?

Its not tough, the way you have to loctite the seals you will know if something is amiss. Getting all those hoses back to the original location was more of a pain. The only help I needed was a macine shop to get my pilot bearing out after I tried to carve it out.

i also forgot putting it back in, some said that was the hardest, thatll be my job, since im taking it to a shop to get rebuilt since i dont have the space or tools to do it. im gonna read up on the FSM to figure out how to put it back in too, maybe one day i can do a rebuild myself!

If you can read a book and follow step by step instructions you can do it. Putting it in was easy and if you rent the bearing puller you will not have the same problem I did. I tried to carve it out with a terminal block screwdriver, luckly the guys were able to get it out and kinda polish the gouging my noob self did. They charged me 10 bucks. Secure a puller beforehand so it does not hold you up. If it was not for that one thing my first rebuild was done solely by myself. It was a great experience and I can't wait to do the one I have now, well maybe I can wait. ;)

Great little detail to know, wondering where did you get your rebuild kits from? I know mazdatrix and atkins sell them, where else? thanks