rebuild question

[junkyard racer]

My old rx7 is 'blown up' and thats all the guy knows about it. Im considering buying it back from the guy.

My question is, can seals and things of that nature be reused? If I remove something and its not ripped or torn, will I have to buy new to replace it with?
Of course the intake manifold and those gaskets will be replaced, but what about like the coolant seals and stuff? Ive never rebuilt a rotary, if you couldnt tell. lol.

[Whizbang]

when you disassemble the engine you'll a couple things to be apparent.

1. The coolant seals (inner and outer) can not be reused. And if by some act of God they don't tear into pieces, you still shouldn't reuse them.

2. If the engine lost a seal, expect that housing and rotor to be kaput

3. If you need new apex seals, you should do it for front and rear rotors. Or if you have a stash of used seals, you can spec out 6 of them and work from there, but its kinda like starting with a handicap.

4. Same for the side seals. You should try to make sure that the seals are marked so they can go back EXACTLY where they came from. But you should ensure that they are within spec, the springs work, no carbon is gunking them up etc.

5. keep all parts covered in fogging oil, WD-40 or the like and if you can wrapped in plastic to prevent rusting.

[junkyard racer]

ok. cool. so the coolant seals will for sure need to be reused.

He says its overheating, and the engine won't turn over (wont crank, he says the apex seals are toast). That's about all that I know of it.

[Whizbang]

Originally Posted by junkyard racer

ok. cool. so the coolant seals will for sure need to be reused.

He says its overheating, and the engine won't turn over (wont crank, he says the apex seals are toast). That's about all that I know of it.

not sure if that was a typo or i misunderstood you. But you will need to buy new coolant seals.

[N.RotaryTech]

Coolant seal failure is the best failure in my book. lol Sounds kinda weird though.

Although what Ive seen in my past 5-6 tear-downs is that coolant seal failure might lead to damage to a housing or iron, in which you will have to get a new/used housing or iron.

If the apex seals are "toast" you'll probably need new housings, and maybe rotors.

Won't know until you tear it down.


Are you thinking of rebuilding it yourself or sending the motor off to a specialist?

[junkyard racer]

Originally Posted by Low Impedance

not sure if that was a typo or i misunderstood you. But you will need to buy new coolant seals.

yeah, I def. meant to say 'replaced' I had a few tasty beers last night and well...thinking of a bunch of things at one...haha...well. nevermind. but yes...I was going to replace those, for sure.

Originally Posted by N.RotaryTech

Coolant seal failure is the best failure in my book. lol Sounds kinda weird though.
Although what Ive seen in my past 5-6 tear-downs is that coolant seal failure might lead to damage to a housing or iron, in which you will have to get a new/used housing or iron.
If the apex seals are "toast" you'll probably need new housings, and maybe rotors.
Won't know until you tear it down.
Are you thinking of rebuilding it yourself or sending the motor off to a specialist?

I am going to rebuild this myself. Thanks for the insight!