n00b Advice/Comments/Info? 1980 Corolla w/ a twist.
 

I just jumped head first into a carb'd 12a powered TE72 Corolla project. It was too good of a deal to pass up so I jumped on it. I already searched for info and whatnot but I found a bunch of threads w/ titles like "look what I did" and its too late for me to sift through all that shit, haha.

Its bridgeported, Holley 650 carb, dual MSD blaster coils, Holley fuel pump (loud), racing beat(?) header, and a 3" mandrel exhaust. I personally watched this car run a 13.0 on street tires at the local race track.

It needs rear apex seals and I'd like to learn something about these engines by rebuild this one myself (hopefully w/ the help of you guys).

What I need to know is what I should be looking for as I take this apart. What should I keep in mind, and what all do I need to rebuild this? Would I be better off taking it to a shop? I'm quite handy around piston engines (been working on hondas for years) so I consider myself pretty well learned.

I'd also love to hear any comments or advice on my car/setup thus far. I'm a recent defect of the honda camp, and I've owned everything under the sun (including a few mazdas) but this is my first rotary powered vehicle. :)

Tom

Oh yeah, here are some pics for you guys:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...a/100_1526.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...a/100_1527.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...a/100_1528.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...a/100_1530.jpg

SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just be clean when you disasemble the engine..Log what you remove take notes and even pics so you know how it goes back.
Get yourself a michell or hays manual and you will be ok..

Man this car brings back good memories..

we used to call them peanuts in Miami...loved those corollas...with a rotary even more!!! looks like a nice project. I would say take it to a shop, but start learning how to do your own overhauls. It's very easy but you need to know certain tricks of the trade, like positioning correctly the seals and using the right tools/materials.

Thanks guys, any good links to websites that might provide some good walk throughs or something as far as assembling this engine? What are some other common problems with the 12a that I need to look for?

And oh yeah, I live in south georgia, does anyone know of some reputable shops within like 200 miles of me who will work on a rotary engine?

i had a 199 corolla with a 13b in it. threw in a deltoro side draft webber kit from rb, and a header with a 2.5 inch exhuast and loved it. a few days later the engine took a shit on me. now the corolla has a 4.3 liter vortec s-10 engine in it. good luck man. just take your time ripping it apart. :icon_tup:

Very nice! Keep searching for info. I dont think your going to find a specific site with the info you seek, but the info is out there! :icon_tup:

I just pulled the corolla into the shed last night to start working more on it, and I removed the hood to pull the motor and I noticed that the engine is like mounted to the cross member of the car. Is this normal? I have no experience with RX7's, so I don't know if there should be motor mounts or anything.