Rx7 with suspected blown O-rings - new short or longblock recommendations?
Wildcat2002
10-04-2005, 10:01 PM
I just picked up a 1989 Rx7 (no turbo) as part of an auto trade. I have not worked on rotary motors before.
The car ran well up until it overheated, the temp gauge maxed out -- in my reading this means the engine is probably toast (O-rings?). It has had the thermostat, hoses and such replaced but did not fix the heating problem.
Everything else on the car is functional. I'm looking into companies/places to buy a shortblock (or should I get a longblock?) to replace this one. I would like to make the car as fast as possible but I do live in CA and need it to pass the "50th state's" smog inspection. I.E. internal performance parts that cannot be detected are welcome - not sure what these are in rotary motors. I'm Looking to spend under a thousand dollars. What would you do? Should I just comb a junkyard and grab a motor that looks good?
Thanks,
David
The car ran well up until it overheated, the temp gauge maxed out -- in my reading this means the engine is probably toast (O-rings?). It has had the thermostat, hoses and such replaced but did not fix the heating problem.
Everything else on the car is functional. I'm looking into companies/places to buy a shortblock (or should I get a longblock?) to replace this one. I would like to make the car as fast as possible but I do live in CA and need it to pass the "50th state's" smog inspection. I.E. internal performance parts that cannot be detected are welcome - not sure what these are in rotary motors. I'm Looking to spend under a thousand dollars. What would you do? Should I just comb a junkyard and grab a motor that looks good?
Thanks,
David
Capt.Moe
10-05-2005, 01:32 AM
Rotaries come with short or long block?
Are you sure about that? as I thought a 13b was a 13b there was no 13b Long Block or anything, you get one size block, depending on the motor, 12a 13b 20b that kind of thing.
Or are you talking about dropping a V-8 into it?
Are you sure about that? as I thought a 13b was a 13b there was no 13b Long Block or anything, you get one size block, depending on the motor, 12a 13b 20b that kind of thing.
Or are you talking about dropping a V-8 into it?
Wildcat2002
10-05-2005, 12:28 PM
I meant short block meaning just the engine block and cylinder heads vs a long block which has all the accessories (intake manifold, dizzy, fuel pump, water pump, etc).
Basically, I'm pretty clueless with rotary motors. I'm looking for recommendations on the most economical way to replace the engine block in the car without rebuilding it myself.
Rotaries come with short or long block?
Are you sure about that? as I thought a 13b was a 13b there was no 13b Long Block or anything, you get one size block, depending on the motor, 12a 13b 20b that kind of thing.
Or are you talking about dropping a V-8 into it?
Basically, I'm pretty clueless with rotary motors. I'm looking for recommendations on the most economical way to replace the engine block in the car without rebuilding it myself.
Rotaries come with short or long block?
Are you sure about that? as I thought a 13b was a 13b there was no 13b Long Block or anything, you get one size block, depending on the motor, 12a 13b 20b that kind of thing.
Or are you talking about dropping a V-8 into it?
FDTT
10-05-2005, 01:42 PM
I meant short block meaning just the engine block and cylinder heads vs a long block which has all the accessories (intake manifold, dizzy, fuel pump, water pump, etc).
Basically, I'm pretty clueless with rotary motors. I'm looking for recommendations on the most economical way to replace the engine block in the car without rebuilding it myself.
Uhhhhh, you do realise that the motor is a rotary and there is no "heads" on this car. www.howstuffworks.com. Have a look on there, it will explain the basics of the rotary engine.
For $1000< you are not going to get much of a motor. If you do it will be a used motor and IMO there is no point in modding a used motor. As for mods to do that are undetectable. Well a NA doesent have alot of possibilities without porting. And that means a full rebuild, and thats more than $1000.
Basically, I'm pretty clueless with rotary motors. I'm looking for recommendations on the most economical way to replace the engine block in the car without rebuilding it myself.
Uhhhhh, you do realise that the motor is a rotary and there is no "heads" on this car. www.howstuffworks.com. Have a look on there, it will explain the basics of the rotary engine.
For $1000< you are not going to get much of a motor. If you do it will be a used motor and IMO there is no point in modding a used motor. As for mods to do that are undetectable. Well a NA doesent have alot of possibilities without porting. And that means a full rebuild, and thats more than $1000.
Wildcat2002
10-05-2005, 05:42 PM
Thanks, thats the basic stuff I was looking for. It sounds like I would be best off hunting the junkyards for a used motor. I'll check out the link.
In the end I just want a running car. It actualy starts now, it just overheats, runs a little rough and loses coolant. I think there is a cracked block or bad O-ring seal.
Again, I am not familiar with rotary motors. I did not know they do not have heads...I'm just looking ot swap out the motor, not open it. Thanks.
Uhhhhh, you do realise that the motor is a rotary and there is no "heads" on this car. www.howstuffworks.com. Have a look on there, it will explain the basics of the rotary engine.
For $1000< you are not going to get much of a motor. If you do it will be a used motor and IMO there is no point in modding a used motor. As for mods to do that are undetectable. Well a NA doesent have alot of possibilities without porting. And that means a full rebuild, and thats more than $1000.
In the end I just want a running car. It actualy starts now, it just overheats, runs a little rough and loses coolant. I think there is a cracked block or bad O-ring seal.
Again, I am not familiar with rotary motors. I did not know they do not have heads...I'm just looking ot swap out the motor, not open it. Thanks.
Uhhhhh, you do realise that the motor is a rotary and there is no "heads" on this car. www.howstuffworks.com. Have a look on there, it will explain the basics of the rotary engine.
For $1000< you are not going to get much of a motor. If you do it will be a used motor and IMO there is no point in modding a used motor. As for mods to do that are undetectable. Well a NA doesent have alot of possibilities without porting. And that means a full rebuild, and thats more than $1000.
Capt.Moe
10-05-2005, 06:39 PM
best bet would be to find a rotary specialty place in your area. Like if you live in Canada there's places in Calgary and Vancouver and I'm sure there are more places I just don't know where they are.
You are better off spending the 24-2500 on a rebuilt motor, that way your life is made easy and you don't have to worry about it going sour anytime soon.
Just a thought of course. As I believe it would save you more money in the end to buy a new rebuilt rather then searching Junkyards.
As if they've been sitting in the funkyard for too long without being ran, I beleive that it would be pretty much a shot motor.
You are better off spending the 24-2500 on a rebuilt motor, that way your life is made easy and you don't have to worry about it going sour anytime soon.
Just a thought of course. As I believe it would save you more money in the end to buy a new rebuilt rather then searching Junkyards.
As if they've been sitting in the funkyard for too long without being ran, I beleive that it would be pretty much a shot motor.
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