Rotary Engine Questions

Drakmare · Post by **Drakmare** » Sun Feb 09, 2003 1:49 pm

I would love to put a rotary engine in my bug but I have a few concerns that maybe somone could help me with.

1. I hear its impossible to seal up a rotary engine, so they contantly leak and mark their territory. Is this so?

2. How easy is it to find parts for these things?

3. Where do I get my first engine to start with? I have seen them in our local junkyard but they are from from usable.

bradgt · Post by **bradgt** » Sun Feb 09, 2003 3:31 pm

no, the rotary engine seals up very well unless you over heat it and cook the engine, they dont like heat.
just get a big rad. and use only the rx-7 oil cooler, the rad must be put in front!

look to the rx-7 web sites to find a good motor or from a junk yard that is good.

pistoneatnbug · Post by **pistoneatnbug** » Sun Feb 09, 2003 7:51 pm

No not at all, if you have a properly built Rotary engine it will not leak, I've personally owned 8 RX-7's and have loved every single one, a family member gave me a 73 Superbeetle, and am currently working on converting to a Rotary engine. Heat and lack of oil are the 2 main things that kill a rotary, so as long as you properly supply the engine with these you should have no problem. Rotary engines produce a decent amount of power for it's size.. and with a few tricks, even more... go for it and have fun doing it.......PISTONEATNBUG

Drakmare · Post by **Drakmare** » Sun Feb 09, 2003 8:38 pm

OK,

What about parts? Easy to find? If im shopping around for one of these things and spot a used one, say at a junk yard. Are there any tell tail signs that its a bad motor? Its been over heated? If you have one thats been over heated and leaks what is involved, just new seals, gaskets, and bearings?

zenjoe · Post by **zenjoe** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 6:18 pm

these engines seal up great, if you want it to be vw "oil dripper style" drill a hole in the pan...

Parts, there are plenty of places to get parts for these things.

http://www.racingbeat.com
http://www.mazdatrix.com
http://www.atkinsrotary.com/
http://www.pettitracing.com/
http://www.pineappleracing.com/index.html
http://www.revolutionrotary.com/index.html

to name a few.

Check out my engine conversions message board for more info on any type of conversion. http://frost.bbboy.net/vwengineconversions
Or go to my website for information on stuffing that rotary into your bug http://www.geocities.com/zenjoe/vw.html

Drakmare · Post by **Drakmare** » Tue Feb 11, 2003 7:03 pm

whoah a rebuild kit is 900 bucks and all it is, is like 10 rubber seals.

miller · Post by **miller** » Wed Feb 12, 2003 3:33 pm

Hey pistoneatnbug, what do you know about the apex seal on rotary engines breaking. I heard engineers havent been able to desing a way to totally seat the sombustion chamber. Is this true.

type IV mainframe · Post by **type IV mainframe** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 12:56 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by miller:
anybody know about apex seals???<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Define you question a little further. What do you need to know?

miller · Post by **miller** » Sat Feb 15, 2003 11:45 pm

anybody know about apex seals???

miller · Post by **miller** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 1:37 am

Well I heard rotary engines combustion chamber has never been fully sealed and no matter what rotary engines lose power. engineers havent figured out how to seal em yet. Can anybody explain why this happens or if its true at all.

Type 5 Joe · Post by **Type 5 Joe** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 1:55 am

You need to put an electric water pump inline, a micro-switch throttle positioner.

The rotary water pump cavitates way before the engine stops revving...

This is what causes the over-heat problems...

Pin your rotors, and go for some non ferous *I think* apex seals.

- Joe

SportyBug · Post by **SportyBug** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 12:23 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Type 5 Joe:
 You need to put an electric water pump inline, a micro-switch throttle positioner.
The rotary water pump cavitates way before the engine stops revving...
This is what causes the over-heat problems...
Pin your rotors, and go for some non ferous *I think* apex seals.
- Joe
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Could you explain a little more please Joe? The water pump cavitates? And pin the rotors? Thanks, Mike

Type 5 Joe · Post by **Type 5 Joe** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 2:33 pm

Go look for proffesional advice on this subject, you now know what to ask about.

I don't claim to be an expert on these...

- Joe

Drakmare · Post by **Drakmare** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 3:39 pm

What about heat? Im talk heat in the car during colder weather. How do you go about that, or is it just people that live in the lovely warm states that do these conversion? I saw this oil cooler which during the winter u mount in the car to heat it. WOuld that be type of thing to look for?

Crash · Post by **Crash** » Sun Feb 16, 2003 4:52 pm

Heat is the easy part on a water cooled engine. You can put any heater core and fan in the car you want. In my case my radiator is behind my front seats so in the winter I just run the fans backwards.

-Mark

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