12a questions
 

I recently purchased a 73 rx3 wagon with a 12a DD & 4 speed. It's been sitting since 81-82, shows around 29,000 on the odometer which looks to be original. I'm thinking of trying to turn it over. I don't know squat about rotary motors.. with that said, what are some steps I should take? Idk if the motor is frozen..? I was thinking of taking the spark plugs out and spaying lube inside the rotors & let it sit, help free it up if it is frozen. I mainly want to get the motor moving freely. Any input or helpful info would be greatly appreciated. Pics of the wagon are in the introduction section. I was selling it but I've decided to build it(slowly). I'm still absorbing info on the running gear on these beautiful cars. Im project rich & money poor at the moment so it's going to take some time but I'm down..
Thanks, Greg.

My advice, be patient for a couple of days until some of the very knowledgeable guys on here provide you some tips and words of wisdom on this!

they could save you some real headaches!

Tom

Sounds good Tom! Yea, in my older age now I've learned to be patient.. I had to learn the had way on some things. I realize how hard it is to get parts for these things so I'm going to take my time.
Greg

take the carb off and rebuild it. While doing that, pour MMO down the intake and roll the engine over by hand a couple times and let the MMO work its "Mystery Magic" Also, drop the gas tank, clean it or get it cleaned, and blow out the fuel lines until they are clean, and of course, replace the fuel filter. While doing all this, alway turn the engine over a couple turns

May not hurt to drop a battery in and make sure everything comes on like it should also, just don't try and start it right now.

After you get the carb rebuilt (don't use the new seats!!) and tank cleaned and fuel lines cleaned out, you should be set to try and start it

Sounds good Iduley.. those are some of the steps I would take on a piston motor except mmo & what do you mean "don't use the new seats!"
Thanks, Greg

Search any thread by Jeff20b in the 1st gen section

These aftermarket "rebuild" kits are POOR quality, and the needle and seats are never made properly, and are to be used as a last resort

Sounds good! I'll definitely check into that.
Greg

Is there a certain place to get a tune up kit for the 12a twin dizzy? I have to go to my local napa & see what they got. Is there a good place online? I haven't dealt with trying to get parts for a rotary motor yet, I'm up for the challenge though. Idk if my wallet is :)
Thanks, Greg

Oh, a twin dizzy, don't see them often at all, napa guys may look at you funny lol

I'm not sure where to get those parts, what are you wanting other then points and condensor? Maybe a cap?

Basically that, a caps & rotor sets, points, spark plugs & wires. Idk if the coils are good or not. This weekend the rain where I live finally stops so I can get a battery & see if the electrical system even works..
Carb was left sitting with the air cleaner off, idk what got down in there.. the only thing from the engine compartment that's missing is the radiator. See what I find out.. any info on getting tune up parts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Greg
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Plug wires you can make yourself, or just buy a good quality v8 set and use what works best length wise

Have you looked on rockauto? You'd be surprised at what they have, and their usually cheaper than a local auto parts store

As long as the throttle plates were closed on the carb, i doubt much got in there

Coils are easy to test after you've done the MMO trick and you can use the starter to roll it over, or just replace them, coils are pretty cheap now days

Also, HOLY AIR COMPRESSOR, that right there is worth come cash

Sounds good Iduley... gave me some direction. Thanks.
When I first got the goon I had a few guys want all the ac stuff, especially the compressor.
Greg

Ya cause you can easily turn it into a air compressor

Rock auto has those tune up parts dirt cheap. And what are the problems with the inlet seats? Mine looked fine.

I checked into rock auto & they have the tune up stuff I need! Thanks.. I checked the oil (dipstick) & it was full & surprisingly looked good with no water or contaminates in it. Shocked since it's been sitting since 82!
Still haven't turned the motor to see if it's frozen, I want to put the mmo in it. The battery cables were cut & missing, I don't even know where the starter is.. I'll check into it. Here's some more pics.
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Being a 82, the starter will be drivers side at the trans, yours isn't old enough to have the starter on top

It's been sitting since 82, it's a 73 rx3. I just picked it up recently & want to get it going some time this year. Now I have two goons. :)
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Jealous lol

With all the projects I have now money is running thin. As soon as I sell the b210 I have then I can get a few things done. I have a 64 nova ss in the garage that I want to get back on the road again. Im project rich & money poor ;)
Greg

Aren't we all?

I know this a stupid question, does my 12a come with a top mounted starter? I just can't see where it would go. Like the gear of the starter & the exposed flywheel to start the motor..? The wagon is still on my car trailer because I need to get some tires on the goon, I want to trailer it over to the tire shop so I can get some tires on it to unload it easier. I need jack it up to get under the goon to investigate. Like i said, I'm a green horn when it comes to rotary motors. As far as I know the motor is original to the 73 rx3.
Thanks, Greg

I am not 100% sure being the year, but if yours was a top mounted started it would be VERY obvious because the starts sits right on too of the keg under the air filter, if you don't see it, jack her up

Definitely checking into it. They cut the battery cables so i couldn't follow it. Hopefully when we get past this 7 day storm we are going through I'll be able to get the car off the trailer so I can get some work done!
Thanks, Greg

Yours is the manual trans car. The starter should be bellhousing mounted at the bottom. Mine is an automatic with the top mount. The starter is massive on the top mount.