Re-Rotorising RX-2 - Technical thread

[ORE616]

Just put a 13B from an rx4 in there. Cross member bolts straight up.

[MikeLMR]

we must be due for an update soon Martin ... hows it going ? Did you decide on your engine mountings ?

[Martiny]

Thanks for the hurry-up Mike. Have done nothing, so no update. Got a few diy jobs on, etc, but hopefully can start on it again soon.

[kiwimazda]

Come on get cracking

[Martiny]

Right, boys, I am going to get moving again. done the DIY, done the tax return, and a whole lot of other things that became priorities.

Going to start with replacing the pulley and setting the end-float. Then I will put engine and box together, and see how things are going to work out with the sump, engine mountings, and oil pick up.

[travellinbob]

Yaaaaaaaaaaay be running by tomorrow afternoon mate!!
 Keep us updated on progress. There are not enough rx-2\'s in the uk so it is a pretty special car.
 cheers,michael.

[Martiny]

Right, well i broke the Metrich "breaker" bar, and I have bent my Gedore breker bar, and bent a ring spanner, trying to loosen the nut on the spare (rusted) engine! I am off to but spmething stronger !

[MikeLMR]

front pulley bolt ?

I ended up using an impact wrench to get mine appart!

[Martiny]

Ok pulley came off with 3/4 inch breaker bar.

have checked end-float. Not actually measured it, but there is just a tiny amount of play on the shaft.

Also modified sump by drilling new holes and elongating existing, so it can go on backwards.

Put the motor in the car to have a look at ideas for engine mounts.

SOme questions now ... please help !

1) Should the Motor sit exactly in the middle of the car?

2) I have some brass pipe that might work to extend the oil pickup. But I guess I would have to braize it then?  I only have an arc and mig welder.

Maybe I could just bend the pipe/s to the right shapes and take the bits to my local body shop and see if they would braize it up for me?

[travellinbob]

I dont see why the engine should sit in the middle of the car but in an RX2 etc there shouldnt be aby reason why it shouldnt!
   Post up a few pics of its progress martin.
 cheers, michael.

[MikeLMR]

the engine should sit in the middle of the car, it doesn\'t HAVE to but I think they are pretty much central in the rx7 and the rx3.  The engine in the 323 is offset to the passenger side by a few inches

[Carl]

Hi Martin,
When you took the front pulley off,did you keep the engine on its flywheel with the front pulley pointing upwards?
It is critical to not let the shaft move until the new pulley is on and tight,or you can end up with one or both of the thrust bearings slipping out of their proper place.
Regards
Carl

[Martiny]

Thanks guys.

1) Ok , middle of the car it is then.

2) Still need help here, if I use brass, I will have to Braize it, yes?

Carl.
I have 2 engines, 1 good, 1 bad! The good one had no pulley, so I took the pulley off the bad 1. Now I needed to take the sump off to turn it round anyway, so this morning I removed the sump, and the front cover . I took off the distributor drive, the key, counterweight and the oil pump sprocket. I had read about the torrington bearings falling down (on the Mazdatrix site). So I checked they were in their correct place, and then re-assembled, and fitted the pulley, without the front cover. I check that there is play in the whole assembly. I didnt measure it, but it is just a tiny bit of play.

I removed the pulley and fitted the front cover. Just painting the pulley and I will fit it again. Mind you, as I type this I realise I had better remove the cover and check it again, seeing as I have had the pulley off again, and, yes I have had the motor in all sorts of positions while modifying the sump!

[MikeLMR]

Martin, we MIG welded my modified pickup. It is hard but not impossible to make a leak proof weld with a MIG set but it can be done if you are a good welder. it\'s just a case of finding a correct sized tube (if you have a second pickup that is a good source)

look no leaks  (not tested the engine yet, but i can\'t see the pickup leaking if the miles of weld in the sump don\'t (not the 1st one we have MIG welded and none leak)

[Martiny]

Yeah yeah, I would have a go if I had the right mild steel tubing, --- I want to use brass connecting to mild steel, - I cant Mig that.. or can I? Will look in the welding book later !