>
    >             Paul, I know my timing on this is poor; you have been
    > pulling the group back on focus only recently.
    >
    >
    >
    >             As a child in the 1950s, I used to ride my bike with a
    > friend 12 miles to an airport.  There being no security, we spent the
    > day in and around the private and small business planes.  Knowing we
    > were in a seriously adult part of the world, we were careful to
   disturb
    > nothing; mostly it was just fuel for our imaginations.  We also
   wondered
    > around the apron near DC 3s and other, four-engined commercial
   flights.
    > The ground attendants only made sure that we stood clear and did not
    > look into the prop wash.  Our shirts would stand out like hurricane
    > warning flags.
    >
    >
    >
    >             All these years later, I find myself doing something
    > similar.  I discovered Rotary Engine while researching a 13B
   adaptation
    > for use in a boat.  All the qualities that are so appealing for
   aircraft
    > apply to watercraft, and this group has such high level of
   competence
    > and experience I was grateful to get on your list.
    >
    >
    >
    >             I would rather be constructing an aircraft, but
   finances and
    > a business need for the boat take precedence.   The dream is still
    > there; I would kill for a window seat when on a commercial flight
   and I
    > arrive with a stiff neck from straining to see everything in the
   sky.
    >  How could anyone sleep or read a magazine?
    >
    >
    >
    >             I don't think of it as magic, but it is certainly
   magical to
    > watch a machine lift itself into the sky with cleverly curved air.  I
    > always feel a longing, the way that people once talked about distant
    > train whistles.
    >
    >
    >
    >             As I have said, I know I am among fliers not sailors,
   and if
    > this message is not posted, it will be no more than I was promised.
    > But I am approaching desperation.  I have seen it said here that a
    > rebuild able engine might be found for around $200.  All the
   contacts I
    > have made are with retail used-parts outlets that clearly think
   there is
    > still a car attached to the engine.  I'm stuck.
    >
    >
    >
    >             Any suggestions on how I might shift my search for better
    > results would be greatly appreciated.  There may even be a surplus
    > engine in the back of someone's hanger.  My needs are not as
   exacting as
    > yours; I haven't far to fall.
    >
    >
    >
    >             Since there is a keen sense of curiosity evident in your
    > mail, I would add a brief description of my craft before
   returning to a
    > more polite silence.  It is 10.5 ft. long and 6 ft.
   wide.  Licensed as a
    > tugboat, it looks more like a skiff, but is stoutly constructed from
    > aluminum.  Although pump drives are inefficient, shallow draft and
    > floating debris interfere with alternatives.  The drive is direct
   and
    > continuous.  Reverse and idle are no more that the position of a cup
    > over the outlet.  Coolant is abundantly available from a tap on the
    > drive pump itself.
    >
    >
    >
    >             You'll not notice me down there, but I'll be watching
   with
    > admiration.  Thanks for the invaluable information--and the lifted
    > spirits.
    >
    >
    >
    > ~ Grant
    >
    > johnsongranttani@qwest.net <mailto:johnsongranttani@qwest.net>
   <mailto:johnsongranttani@qwest.net <mailto:johnsongranttani@qwest.net>>
    >
    > (Portland, Oregon)
    >
    >
    > Check out this 120 MPH rotary powered boat. You will need DSL.
    >
    > http://www.rotaryeng.net/boatvideo.wmv
    >
    >
    > Paul Lamar
    >

   Grant,

   Nice letter. The last 13B I picked up was from calling an add for an
   RX 7
   with a Chevy V-8 installed. There was nothing wrong with the engine,
   they
   did the swap to make a fast sports car. The 13B and auto trans were
   taking
   up space in his parents basement so he was quite happy to sell them
   for $50
   (Canadian at that). I ocassionally see ads like that and Portland is
   a lot
   bigger than Victoria so there must be a lot more 7's. Maybe check
   Seattle,
   Albany, Eugene and Springfield too. Also the first second gens are now
   turning 20 so there should be more beaters getting pulled off the
   road, the
   high fuel prices also help you as a buyer. If you don't mind doing a
   teardown you might find one like that. Good luck

   John



We got our backup engine by pouncing on a RX7 which had just recently
blown an apex seal. Owner decided it was not worth the cost of a
rebuild.  Got the whole thing - car and all -  for $200.  It's still
sitting in the driveway, waiting for us to get our act together & yank
the engine for a rebuild.  We figure it will make a fun "airport car" &
at this point we have plenty of 13b rebuild knowledge ;-)

My suggestion would be to make sure all the rotary repair shops in your
area know what you are looking for -- they will be seeing blown engines
sooner or later & could point the owner at you if/when they decide not
to repair.  Ditto on the local charities which take cars for wholesale
auction.

Mark & Mark