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.


The posting below refers to downloadable shop manuals.

Could you please tell me where I can download the shop manuals from?

Gerhard Ungerer

Its on the web site below under:

http://www.rotaryeng.net/interesting.html

Also download the rotary engine books while you are at it.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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