Hey everybody, I just purchased my first rotary about 2 months ago. I managed to pick up a barn find '73 RX2 and the car is very nice. The issue I have is that either the motor or the transmission is stuck. It is an automatic and will go into PRND but not 2 or 1. The motor will not turn either. I don't know what to do because I want to keep the car as original as possible and don't know where to start. Anybody have any thoughts? I would love to meet up with someone and have them check it out...

I'm in central Kansas; about an hour north of Wichita.

Thanks for reading and I can't wait to hear back!

--Chad

 

What do you mean by the motor won't turn? It won't start?


I can't help you other than to refer you to two places:

1. Regional forum for Kansas and surrounding areas is here:
https://www.rx7club.com/midwest-rx-7-forum-32/
Post up in there to meet locals and such.

2. Check out the Old School section here:
https://www.rx7club.com/old-school-other-rotary-63/
That is where most of the people with the older rotaries hang out.

 

I mean it is acting like it is seized. You can't turn it with a breaker bar. Thanks for the links! I will check them out...

--Chad

 

If it won't turn, it is probably rusted solid after sitting for so long.

You can pull the exhaust manifold (thermal reactor) to take a look in the exhaust ports and check for rust. Don't try to rotate it any more at this point because you may cause a lot more damage and turn salvageable parts into junk. Or, remove and disassemble the engine.

If, for example, it was parked because of a water jacket leak and then left to sit, it's likely everything in the engine is junk.

 

Ok Thanks Aaron. I was wondering about this. I had heard that it was impossible for these engines to rust together because they are chromed on the inside of the case??? But who knows I guess... Like I said I am completely new to these things... I shall remove said "thermal reactor" and see what happens!

 

If you can, see if they make an RX-2 Factory Service Manual.

 

The housings are chrome so they generally don't rust unless the chrome has been worn away. However the irons on the RX-2 are bare cast (this was before they began nitriding) as are the rotors and seals, so all that stuff will rust quite well if exposed to moisture.

Once you get into the exhaust ports you should be able to see the damage. Unless the early RX-2 uses the ports made up of the three tiny holes...that I don't know off hand.

You're going to love the thermal reactor exhaust.

Here's a link to the RX-2 Factory Service Manual:
http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/manuals/RX2%20FSM/

 

lol is that sarcasm I hear? Well hopefully I will get some time to get out there and play with it... Thanks for the link!

 

A couple of resources for information for you:

http://www.iwankel.com/ (manuals, schematics, goodies)

http://www.vintagerotaries.org/ (old school fanatics)

Best of luck in restoring your new love...



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thanks Kentetsu! I am very excited for this new project! Great links by the way!

 

There is a rotary shop in pittsburg, KS.