There came a point in my late teens where I was spending a considerable amount of money on garage fees having a certain car professionally repaired because I knew nothing whatsoever about engines.
Eventually I had enough and decided to try and teach myself, so I bought a book (Automotive Fundamentals by Stockel, Stockel and Johanson) and read it from cover to cover. By doing so, and witha bit of practice, I went from being a complete novice, to successfully stripping down and rebuilding an engine.

As it stands I know very little about Rotary engines but am interested to learn about the 13B-REW in particular as I'd like to get hold of a 3rd Gen RX7. Are there any books out there that would be worth reading, from which I could teach myself (as I did with Automotive Fundamentals and piston engines)?

 

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/faq-3rd-gen-other-useful-links-68640/

^^read EVERYTHING in that thread.... especially the first two links it gives.... ALL you questions will be answered.

 

I have a brand new Mazda RX-7 Performance Handbook that I'll sell you. Covers 1st gen to 3rd gen.

 

Actually, I found some of the Japanese mags to be full of info. Despite being in Japanese, these books tend to be more picture oriented,...and that alone shows a lot.

 

Thanks, I'll have a read through the thread.

Chinaman, what kind of book is it? When I searched the net all I could find was model history/heritage books with plenty of nice pictures of RX7s gleaming in the sun. What I'm really after is a technical book that will show me exactly how rotary engines work, and explain principles that can be applied to the 13B-REW.

It's a shame that Stockel, Stockel and Johanson haven't written a rotary equivalent of "Automotive Fundamentals" because, as far as piston engines are concerned, it really is a fantastic read.

 

http://rotaryaviation.com/overhaul_video.htm

 

I think you will find more info on what you are looking for on the net instead of in books. The one I have is performance orientated. It covers exaust, intake, suspension, porting, ect.

 

Sgtblue that DVD looks very promising. He only mentions "the 13B" on the website- is this just an abbreviation for the 13B-REW or are there a number of engines with a designation beginning with 13B?

If it's definitely for the 3rd gen engine then it may be worth chipping my DVD player so that it'll play American DVDs.

 

the rotary aviation "3rd gen R&R" video will give u a nice run through dismantelling the REWs accessories and show u how to take it out of the car and stuff.... but it doesnt go into the internals of the REW

the "13B overhaul" video will cover all the internal and rebuilding stuff that has to do with the 13B... and trust me besides some outer accesories like a turbo.. there is on difference between the 13Bs..... the internals are ALL the same.

atkins rotary also has a nice 13B overhaul video.

 

The Internet is your friend in this case. I've found many websites with little flash things of how the rotary engines work, and, of course, there's Wikipedia too.

 

It's generic for 13b and isn't specific for the FD (13b-REW). Still, if you want to learn about the engine it's worth the price. That's why I bought it. Personally I don't anticipate doing a rebuild myself but I wanted to be able to (semi) intelligently discuss what I wanted with a rebuilder when the time comes. Sounds like your probably more talented so....
Much, if not most of what you will do on this car involves the sequential system for the turbos and is NOT covered in the DVD. Reading all those stickies, website links, and searching here will clue you in but it will take effort. After that, normal maintanence, oil changes, transmissions, clutchs, suspension, brakes etc. aren't significantly different than any other car of it's era. Anything else that you don't know you can find in the FSM, and that's just a free (now searchable) download away.