> Well, we just got the engine from the 87 RX7 apart. We haven't
  cleaned
   > up the parts, and it looks like we might not have to - at least the
   > rotors and e-shaft. At first glance, it looks like the rotor housings
   > might be OK. The end and intermediate housings look like they
  will have
   > to be lapped & re-nitrided.
   >
   > I have attached some pix of the e-shaft and rotors. Looks like we
  have
   > had a coolant and/or lubrication failure. What do you guys think? I
   > think the e-shaft is junk.
   >
   > Can the Babbitt be replaced in the rotors or are they a total loss?
   >
   > Good thing I have three more engines on the way. :)
   >
   > Doc Custer
   > Retired Software Engineer and sometime Audiologist
   >
   > That is a fine looking engine Doc. Somebody ran it low on oil from
   > the looks of it. I would polish the front rotor journal
   > with 600 grit or 800 grit emery cloth and press out the old
   > bearing shell in the front rotor of course. Check the oil passages
   > in the e-shaft and make sure they are not plugged up. From what
   > I can see the rotors are in fine shape. Take some more pictures
   > of the rotors out of the engine. From what little I can see even
   > the rotor housings look OK. If no apex seals are broken you have
   > a flyable engine there IMHO.
   >
   > Finn Lassen ran his engine up to 10,000 RPM without oil or load
  and it
   > seized.
   > He chiseled it apart and  resurrected it and flew it for years until
   > he mistakenly landed his airplane in the woods at night.
   > In case you were wondering he was not hurt.
   >
   > Have you downloaded the shop manuals yet?  I say this because I
   > noticed you used the word "babbitt". Real poured babbitt bearings
  have not
   > been used for 75 years. They are now called bearing shells or
  inserts.
   > You press the inserts out with a tool that is just the right
  diameter.
   >
   > Depending on how deep the wear marks are in the end housing
   > you may not have to have them re-nitrided. It tells how to
   > check them in the shop manuals. All you may need is a bit of
   > re lapping.
   >
   > Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

  Good news, indeed! I/we are greatly cheered. The guy in the pix is my
  grandson David. He and his dad, Ken, are coming to SNF with me.

  We have the shop manual.

  I used "Babbitt" because that is the term Bruce Turrentine uses in
  the DVD
  on how to overhaul the 13B. I will no longer use the obsolete term. I
  promise. :)

  BTW we will not arrive until Friday PM. I hope you will be around
  Saturday
  and Sunday. We leave Monday.
  I definitely want a copy of your book.

  We are in the process of finding a tank big enough for the rotors.
  As soon
  as we get the rotors and other parts cleaned up I will send more pix.

  Doc Custer
  Retired Software Engineer and sometime Audiologist


  I'll be there on Saturday but every body splits Saturday
  night or early Sunday morning. Better to get there on Thursday
  or Friday. By Sunday morning a lot of airplanes are gone
  and the locals come for the airshow.

  Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.



I have a 20 gallon parts washer that is sitting around, Doc. Plenty deep for the rotors.   If you have a burning desire to fly/drive up to the Springs you can borrow it for as long as you like.  Maybe you could come up in a weekend or two when I'm ready to fire up the engine again.

Mark Supinski

Mark Supinski


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