TomD_Cincy

iTrader: (2)

Forum ID: Rotary Resurrection
Parts Bought: Series 2 engine rebuild
Cost: $4000 + Parts and other labor, total $9600 (Yes, I know questionable wisdom putting that much into a car with nearly 200k miles on the clock.)
Transaction: I drove the car to Rotary Resurrection for my scheduled drop off on 2/24. Kevin had it ready for pick-up within the 2-3 week timeline he promised (picked up on 3/9). I daily drive my car and my goal was to get the engine back to as close to new as possible, so I went into the build planning to replace the irons, housings and few other parts with new parts. I ended up adding to that list (both additional new parts and lower mileage/better condition used parts) once Kevin got the engine disassembled and inspected. I went the rebuild route instead of trying to find a Mazda re-man as I wanted to know what was going on inside my engine. I had just under 177K miles on the clock when I dropped it off. During the rebuild, Kevin also installed a new clutch kit, radiator, oil cooler lines, water pump, coolant expansion tank and oil pump.

Kevin was readily available prior to and during the rebuild process. He kept me informed of his findings and provided options to address any issues with the build. He provides written instructions for engine break in procedures and a CD with all of the photos he takes during the rebuild. Photos below are some of the more interesting ones provided by Kevin of my engine.

If/when I need another rebuild, I won't hestitate to go back to Rotary Resurrection.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...17f2c32817.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...e583a6bb3b.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...b2688e3c7e.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...704f392f69.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...0dd5faef1d.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...5bfd4f6687.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...fa125d6a39.jpg

BigCajun

iTrader: (1)

It's so cool to see members getting their 8s fixed up.
It's worth the money if you think it is, imo.
A car's worth is whatever you think it's worth to you.

I spent more than that paying Kyle at Rotary Doctor in Missouri to drop a new engine in my old LY and fix beaucoup normal 20 year old RX8 issues.

I don't regret, it.
Worth every penny to be able to spank the Wankel again.

TomD_Cincy

iTrader: (2)

I definitely don't regret it. Just need to get the break-in completed ASAP!

kevink0000

Clean rotors!
Any pix of the apex seal sides?
Did Kevin give advice on that bearing wear?
Thank you again for the pix.

TomD_Cincy

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, Kevin described them as surprising free of carbon.

I'll have to dig back thru the pictures to see if there are any good ones of the apex seals. I didn't downloaded everything since Kevin gave me a CD with all of the pictures from the rebuild. The apex slots in the rotors were worn beyond spec for the top 25% of the slot depth. Some of the side seal springs came out in pieces due to wear.

As for the bearing wear, Kevin recommended use of a thicker oil. At least 10W-30 in the cold or 10W-40 or 15W-40 when its hot. I had been using 5W-30 (Amsoil Signature Series full synthetic).

kevink0000

In my view, that bearing wear could be from overtightening the belts. It is occurring in the exact place something like that should happen (the top of the bearing front, the bottom rear). Your oil choice was good enough for street use, and unless something else occurred during the life of your car-- that wear is not normal in my view. It shows long term pressure or misalignment in that area, not a sudden loss of oil pressure. I know I am asking a lot of questions, (I love seeing worn engine pix, on engines that fail prematurely, like ours)--how did the front bearing look?

TomD_Cincy

iTrader: (2)

Here's more bearing pictures.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...1ad5691dcf.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...1006e7590a.jpg

TomD_Cincy

iTrader: (2)

I didn't see any close ups of the old apex seals. You can see one in the background in a couple of the rotor pics. I haven't checked the CD of pictures Kevin provided yet to see if it has anything more than what he posted to flickr.com (need to get a CD ROM).

kevink0000

Thank you again for the pix. The rear bearing has that big wear on the RH side, the front is toward the top. (can't see the LH side) Again, if the belts were overtightened long term, this is how it could look, in my opinion.

Just for GP, I keep my belts loose. I have seen the results of a too-tight belt in a UOA. They also seem to tighten when hot more than other cars with fixed adjusters that I've worked on. You may want to do the same on this new engine.