1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections
View Poll Results: How many miles on your engine?
Original engine, under 60,000 miles
14
6.93%
Original engine, under 100,000 miles
31
15.35%
Original engine, under 150,000 miles
48
23.76%
Original engine, more than 150,000 miles
68
33.66%
Replacement engine, under 60,000 miles
20
9.90%
Replacement engine, under 100,000 miles
6
2.97%
Replacement engine, under 150,000 miles
2
0.99%
Replacement engine, more than 150,000 miles
13
6.44%
Voters: 202. You may not vote on this poll

How many miles on your engine?

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Old 02-12-02 | 10:55 PM
  #1  
pjr's Avatar
pjr
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Mr May 2011
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From: Northville, MI
How many miles on your engine?

This poll is to see how how many miles 1st Gen engines are lasting...
Old 02-12-02 | 11:03 PM
  #2  
Pele's Avatar
Right near Malloy
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From: Behind a workbench, repairing FC Electronics.
I'm gonna say it's original cause the engine mounts are crumbly and I can move the engine around with my hand. 175K miles baby!!! Still got compression. Couldn't start it over the winter due to bad ignitor though.
Old 02-12-02 | 11:21 PM
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Old [Sch|F]ool
 
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From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Which car?

'80 had 119,216 on the original engine before I pulled it because stock port suck.

'85 has 149,600 on it... I can't tell if the engine's been replaced or not. For one thing, the hood has obviously been off at one point because some of the hardware is incorrect and it was misaligned. Also, the top of the engine is VERY clean... I'd think that after 150k with the crappy water/oil cooler the dowel O-rings would be HOSING. (I bought a similar engine with 60k on it and the whole top of the engine, the transmission, flywheel, and clutch were caked with oil from the leaky dowel O-rings) But on the other hand, all of the original vacuum hoses and coolant hoses are in place and it looks/feels like they've never been off. Well, 95% of all the coolant hoses, had to replace part of the long heater hose after part of it burst (oil soaked from the leaky O-rings under the cooler) Also it smokes a little blue on cold start, not a nuisance or anything yet. HMMM.

- PJ (12As are the Energizer Bunnies of rotary - they just keep going, and going, and going...)
Old 02-12-02 | 11:21 PM
  #4  
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Driven a turbo FB lately?
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From: Fort Branch, Indiana
The 85 died at 224k... Not sure about its life, but according to the body, interior etc when I got it, id say an oil change about every 2 years was just about average...

I forget the exact mileage on the 80 when I stripped it apart, I took it apart cuz 3 of the 4 o rings that go between the dowells were leaking. I put it back together with total junk and it has over 300,000 on it.

My 88 vert has 126k on it, looks like orginal motor but cant tell for sure...

I contribute my rotary success to a FULLY working OMP and about 2 oz per gallon oil to gas ratio. Id rather it smoke a little than pull the motor out
Old 02-12-02 | 11:27 PM
  #5  
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From: Cincinnati
1st engine died around 176k.
2nd engine had 118k I think when I put it in. that one lasted another 400 miles
current engine has unknown mileage but I think its around 150k.
Old 02-12-02 | 11:32 PM
  #6  
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standard combustion
 
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
I've only had a 12a engine I purchased from a junkyard ever break on me. I kind of figured it wouldn't last long. But it ran perfect for two weeks then a apex seal broke and ran for a few days then when backing up into my driveway, the engine went from 2000-0rpm instantly! ..at least it was in my driveway! LOL! All my other engines come out because I'm bored with them or something else failed...like a damn thermostat in my last time overheated it before I could stop it, so it wasn't something internal!
Old 02-13-02 | 03:15 AM
  #7  
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From: Tenn.
when i got mine it showed 158000, but im the third ower, car fax showed 158000 when the first owner sold it, i got it from the second owner three years later and the speedo cable was broken, still showed 158000, so not sure what the real miles are, but no big problem with the engine that i can tell , runs strong....
Old 02-13-02 | 03:21 AM
  #8  
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From: Bay Area
148,000 on original engine. Was track raced for a couple of years instead of a daily driver but it still runs strong. I'd say better than ever since it recently had a nice tune up.
Old 02-13-02 | 05:55 AM
  #9  
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82 with 258,000 miles. approx. 175,000 on motor
Old 02-13-02 | 06:31 AM
  #10  
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From: south sound
84 GSL-SE marathon runner original engine

I was wondering when someone would bring up this subject. Some may disagree, but IMO, the 84-85 13b 6port is the most reliable rotory engine Mazda ever developed, as close to bullet proof as an old Chev straight six 235cu in. (and I'm old enough to know!)

196,6xxx miles daily driver (about half of them hiway miles)
Castrol 10-40, and MMO every 3k mi.
Coolant flush every 2yrs.
NGK plugs every third or fourth oil change
K&N intake cone cleaned yearly
lightweight flywheel
RB header, custom cat (smog legal), RB power pulse catback
2nd gen 70amp alt
illuminas, prokit springs
BFG siped all season tires
all A/C components removed
always allowed to reach normal operating temp before driven!
Old 02-13-02 | 08:53 AM
  #11  
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I can has a Hemi? Yes...
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From: 3OH5
85 GSL-SE - 167K and counting - original motor.
85 GSL-SE - 20K on Ported Motor (Parts car) car has 135K.

My old ones had over 175K when I sold them.
Old 02-13-02 | 09:18 AM
  #12  
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From: OK
188,962 and still haulin like the bunny
Old 02-13-02 | 10:27 AM
  #13  
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The AUTO DOCTOR
 
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From: South Side of ATL. Ga.
on my 81 gsl i had 206 k when i pulled the motor... to put in a streetport my 83 l.e. had 124 when i pulled it to put in the ported motor. Both ran fine when i pulled them
Old 02-13-02 | 11:18 AM
  #14  
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Chad Carson
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From: South of Nashville TN. USA
Both cars

My 85 GSL-SE - 170K+ Stock motor

My 85 S - 131k+ Stock motor

My 83 GS - I think is dead now - 150k don't know history on this one
Old 02-13-02 | 02:32 PM
  #15  
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seniorchief
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Cool Miles

85 GSL-SE/13B (original motor) 110,000 and still humming!
Old 02-13-02 | 04:21 PM
  #16  
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From: Raleigh
Original 12a, 141,900 miles. That includes running leaded fuel in germany when we lived there. Dont remember much about it, car was new and i was like 2, lol. Anyways, orignal everything almost, oil change every 3,000 miles.
Old 02-13-02 | 04:34 PM
  #17  
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"By the beard of Zeus!"
 
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From: Huntsville, Alabama / Atlanta, Georgia
170k, and still livin large!
Old 02-13-02 | 07:19 PM
  #18  
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From: Seattle
On my engine I only have 5000 miles... On my whole car, I've got over 200,000.

`,=o/
Old 02-13-02 | 07:41 PM
  #19  
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From: Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
I only have 91,000 on my SE. I guess I have a lot of miles to go before I can justify a rebuild and a streetport!
Old 02-13-02 | 07:49 PM
  #20  
eddierotary's Avatar
back with rotaries
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From: Watertown, NY
my gslse have right now 88,301 originals miles. but my first rx7 clocked 122,000 miles when i junk it.
Old 02-13-02 | 07:59 PM
  #21  
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hey, your car is on fire!
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From: Lost Wages NV
got an '80 with 39k on it... it sat around for a while, put in a new battery and she fired right up. it has less miles than my 3rd gen lol. its still in the process of becoming road worthy again, but the engine runs smoothly.
Old 02-13-02 | 08:01 PM
  #22  
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hey, your car is on fire!
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well, seeing as how I didnt own the car for its entire life, I guess it could be 139k, but it runs so well, I seriously doubt it has than many miles.
Old 02-13-02 | 08:03 PM
  #23  
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From: So. Arlington, TX!!!
1980 with RP streetport 12A...has 26,000 miles as of this posting...
Old 02-13-02 | 08:19 PM
  #24  
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standard combustion
 
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From: Twin Cities Minnesota
an '80 with just 39K? Thats means it was driven only 1,775miles per year!!
Old 02-13-02 | 08:30 PM
  #25  
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pjr
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Originally posted by WackyRotary
an '80 with just 39K? Thats means it was driven only 1,775miles per year!!
I've been seeing many lo mile RX-7s for sale (mostly 1985, last year of 1st gen). Seen them in the last month: 60K, 58K, 40K, 25K, and 6K! Amazing! Who could resist the temptation to drive 'em!


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