It's official. I am a dumbazz.

I about slapped myself this morning when I went over the car...I was thinking about it all night last night, and I told myself the first thing I'd do today was check over every single thing to make sure it was removed.

You're gonna wanna throttle me. The downpipe bracket was still attached to the transmission. Doh!!!

That was it. What a f'ing way to start the day...the good part is, the engine and tranny came apart like to pieces of buttered bread with no damage to the input shaft, etc. The engine is now being taken apart to ready for shipment to Pineapple Racing for coverage under their warranty. Hopefully. Pics are on their way, for those of you who are interested.

And although I didn't have to post it, I figured I might as well be honest about it...it's a good lesson to learn. Check EVERYTHING when something isn't working right. I thought we had removed everything, but we didn't. I sure as hell won't make that mistake again.

 

The engine...on the engine hoist...outta the car. Thank the maker.

The flywheel is still in great condition with a few spots of rust I'll be taking off soon.

Rear shot of the engine...

It's amazing how fast things rust...the HKS downpipe is looking kinda rusty after only two years.

The engine, on a box with some wheels I put together for disassembly.

For about 2 years worth of dirt and grim accumulation, the engine bay is still pretty clean since the last rebuild.

My FD up, and the other FD we picked up from an Insurance Auto Auction (FOR CHEAP...major cheap...and it runs STRONG. I'm talking about three grand only...it's a theft salvage title, but the interior is immaculate...it just needs body work, and a fresh coat of paint.)

 

You made out like a bandit on that red FD.

 

wow that pineapple motor lasted two years??? what happened?

 

Less than that...the engine was rebuilt in Feb 03 and put back in the car Mar-Apr 03 and then was fully dyno-tuned. The tuner noted that the car seemed down on power...the car was shipped to the UK in May 03 and sat idle for the entire year till about April 04. It was only driven just a few miles due to a serious surgery accident which put me in the hospital for 2 months and about 8 months of recovery. In the UK, it had problems already, and that was only at around 3000 miles. The car was then shipped to Hawaii, and arrived in late July 04...another 1500-2000 miles after that the engine just died and wouldn't restart. Checked the compression, and it was the same as when I sent it to Pineapple.

I'm really confused on that part, because I replaced EVERYTHING that was questionable...I spent about 13,000 bucks on the entire restoration of the car...including an entire day of dyno-tuning. I just hope PR will cover it under warranty...I don't know anything that I could have done differently to do better. I did all the reliablity mods, as well...it's frustating for me, because it's from a very difficult time in my life, when a Doctor almost killed me, and scarred me for life...and to have this thing that I poured a ton of money in, along with hard work, etc...just to blow up in my face. Well...it's disheartening.

 

I remember, most of that...and I remember turbojeff helping you out. that really sucks, and I hope you can work something out with pineapple. best of luck, glad to see you driving again!! Well, even if its in a dirty VR...haha!

 

Just wanted to add, that I've spoken to Rob at Pineapple before, and another gentlemen that works there today, and they've been pretty nice about the whole thing. They just said, crate it up, send it back, and they'll take a look. Hopefully it'll be within coverage...and if it isn't...well...I guess there's not much I can do about it, and will just have to suck it up and have it rebuilt again.

Shipping from Hawaii kinda sucks, too. Gah.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it...I'm hoping everything works out in the end.

 

This thread was an interesting read. I hope everything works out for you

 

Yeah bump this thread when you have more updates.

 

Will do...thanks for the comments, guys.

 

I found a way to take off the lug nut lock. So let me know when you want to pick it up. What other parts did you guys want? A-pillar and the driver's side door handle......anything else?

 

learn to build yourself...I did, it's a lot cheaper!!! and the only shipping costs are seals that don't weigh very much.

buy the tools once and learn to build...now you can keep your car on the street for life without dishing out $5k+ every XXXX miles or 2+ years.

 

Definetly the wheel...I think the passenger side door handle, the AST and plumbing as well. Gimme a call when you're available!

And yeah...I have a second rotary engine that I'm going to pull apart and learn on...but I HAVE to use this warranty before I shell out bucks for a rebuild kit. Just one of those things...