Hoisting Rotary Engine
 

Hello I'm Michael and I'm fascinated with rotary engines. I am getting a decent sized paycheck this week and I've decided to go to a you-pull-it yard to get a 13-b that I eventually plan to place in a Datsun 240z. Would anyone have any advice on hoisting/removing a rotary engine from the engine bay. I would enjoy any advice on certain tools I should bring along with any special circumstances I should be aware of when pulling a rotary engine. Thanks for any advice!

Michael

Before you start to remove the motor, take off exhaust manifold to see rotors; rotate the engine and check for compression by pressing the rotor seals to see if springs are moving freely. If all rotor seals have movement, the motor is probably ok. Also feel rotor surfaces near seals damage from a blown seal.

Buying a junkyard 13B is a total crapshoot. Be aware that it's not going to be suitable to swap directly into another car. You should perform a compression test which will at least tell you the internal condition of the engine.

Aside from that, pulling the rotary is like any other. Get it down to the bare block (leave the exhaust manifold and lower intake because these are easier to remove with the engine out of the car) and then just lift it via the long water pump housing studs and one of the lugs on the back that hold the transmission bolts.