spridgets
[Top] [All Lists]

RE: Head gasket failures and rotary engines

To: "David N Waldmann" <david@vermonthardwoods.com>, <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Subject: RE: Head gasket failures and rotary engines
Date: Wed, 5 Sep 2001 17:03:31 -0700
David,

I remember from my days living in England that the 1275s were prone to head
gasket failure between cylinders #2 and 3.

Purists.... stop reading now!

If you decide to install a rotary engine in your Spridget- I would go for a
1984-1985 13B (rated as 1300 cc)from a RX7 first generation. Bullet proof
engines, light, relatively cheap to buy, easier and cheaper to rebuild than
later generations, and giving 135 HP stock. It is very easy to get more
power out of them without turbocharging... A 1979-1985 12A (rated as 1100
cc) would not be too bad either- that's what I have in my 1985 Mazda RX7.
100 BHP stock, another easy 20 or 30 BHP with a better exhaust,
carb/manifold and air filter... and they run best with the cheapest unleaded
fuel! My race car engine (stock) has zillion miles on it, still revs to
8,000 rpm with no problems, and all I have done to it in one year of racing
is change the oil and filters!.. By the way, my Sprite race car engine
(948cc overbored to 1018) cost a fortune, needs very high octane gas to run,
and cost a lot of money!... Won't last half as long as the rotary either -
but, heck, it revs just as high and does sound A LOT better than the rotary!


Jacques Le Clainche
SCCA 1985 Mazda Spec RX-7 #44, San Diego region
VARA 1960 Austin-Healey Sprite #4, F Production


-----Original Message-----
From owner-spridgets at autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of David N Waldmann
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 9:29 AM
To: spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: Re:Major tuning question WAS: Basic tuning questions


Hopefully that's all it is. My 1275 motor had a similar history. Then I
started smelling antifreeze. Then I noticed the antifreeze was coming out
the exhaust.

Which leads me to a question. Being a new Spridget owner, are the 1275's
prone (or more prone) to head gasket failure, cracked heads, or what? I'm
hoping to replace the engine with either a Mazdo rotary or a BOP 215, but
hadn't planned to do it this soon. If it's just the head gasket I'd probably
fix it this weekend.

<dnw>
1972 Midget
1998 Safari
1999 9-3



<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
  • RE: Head gasket failures and rotary engines, Unknown <=