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Post by stealth4550bucs on Apr 27, 2012 15:30:39 GMT -5
I have a 1975 Re5. Bought it new in 75 and it was wrecked in the early 80's. Found another one in Ohio recently and decided to make one good one from the two bikes. Question: The original proper unit is out of the frame and turns over by hand. Looking into the exhaust I can move two of the three apex seals with a wood dowel. The third one, I believe is starting to loosen with the application of ATF. Being able to turn the engine over by hand with a spark plug in the hole seems to me somehow Wrong. Can anybody give me feedback? Any comments will be appreciated. I need to know if this Proper unit is usable or not before I go much further on the restoration. How do you add the bikes in your "shed"?
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Post by wayne on Apr 29, 2012 21:25:59 GMT -5
I have an RE5 that is up and running. On a compression test it shows 116 fairly evenly across all lobes.
When I had this engine on the bench, I was able to turn it over by hand and I was a little worried like you are. However, it starts easily and runs well, barely discernible from several other local RE5's.
I don't know a lot about rotary engine theory but I believe they are dependent on rotational speed to build up compression. Thus they may be deceptively easy to turn over by hand.
As for adding the bikes in your shed, go to PROFILE and at the top select "modify profile". Down the bottom of that page is a box titled "Signature"- write in anything you want and it will always appear at the bottom of your post. Wayne
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FC Zach
3rd Gear
Eagleville, TN
Posts: 335
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Post by FC Zach on Apr 30, 2012 2:54:23 GMT -5
I think you're right Wayne, these engines do need to be spun at a reasonable speed to build compression. My RX7 motor can be rotated by hand.
To the OP, just keep working that apex seal and see what happens. Hopefully your side seals are moving freely! If at all possible for you, I would assemble the motor/trans assembly outside the frame to do a proper compression check, that way you don't waste your time assembling the bike just to tear it back down if it does turn out to have low compression.
Good luck!
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Post by stealth4550bucs on Apr 30, 2012 16:38:40 GMT -5
Thanks for your insight. I,ll be staying in touch.
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Post by jm0406 on Apr 30, 2012 16:55:34 GMT -5
I would think they could be machined if you knew what material to make them from. The Mazda people should have information on what materials work. It might even be an improvement over the original ones. Jeff
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