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From: "Christopher Barber" <CBarber@TexasAttorney.net>
To: "flyrotary" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Cha Ching: Throwing $$ at problem
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2008 18:05:50 -0500
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Well, as y'all may remember I got coolant in my rotary housing.  I took off
the engine from the stern of my Velo and tore it open...with the assistance
of David Staten.  We opened it and could not find any obvious answer to the
problem.

Walked away for a couple of days and returned.  Upon further inspection,
while all was probably fine I did start to notice some flaws in the rotor
housing (much pitting in the water channels) as well as a couple of dings
(very small) on the surface of the end housings.  I also re-checked specs
and everything seemed good......measure after measure after measure.

I was seriously considering replacing the rotor housings due to them not
looking as good as I would have liked.  While the inner surfaces looked
really good, the water channels looked worse than some of the junk housings
we have stored in the hangar.  Hmmmmmmm? However, I didn't want to wait for
the delivery time since I was about to be off for a few days in a row and I
could get much work done.  So I figured I would clean and put the engine
back together with the new  O-rings from Pineapple Racing ands see what
happens.  Breaking into the engine again after rebuilding it a couple of
years ago with Dave seemed much less stressful than before as the whole
project has become much more familiar.

While the engine was apart I decided to go ahead and port out the engine
more toughly.  Dave had started it a bit before we put it together a couple
of years ago but was concerned about over porting a trashing the housings.
As a result he mildly ported the center plate.

I got new porting templates from Pineapple Racing (really nice
templates....pre-cut and ready to use on intake and exhaust) and went to
porting.  Got all of 'em done and was just finishing up on the last port(the
second side of the center plate...the outer plates and rotary housings went
swell)....you guessed it...I went a little too far on the porting and broke
though the back. DOH!!!

So, since I kept having nagging questions about the quality of the rotor
housings, and a couple of minor concerns on the plates...AND since I just
turned the center plate into a boat anchor, I decided to buy new rotor
housings in addition to the new center plate.....and since all these other
pieces are gonna be new, I might as well take the opportunity to replace the
end housings too.  I kept thinking of the new rotor housing and center
housing being so smooth and new, with somewhat worn end housing....uh,
something just didn't seem to gel.

SOOOOOO, I am waiting for my new end housings and rotor housing to arrive
from Mazdatrix.  I was gonna order from Pineapple Racing (slightly better
price) in appreciation of their online video's, however, after no less than
five calls and some conversations, they were unable to get me to the person
who could/would actually take the order....were going to lunch twice...left
early for the day twice, never returned any of the calls.  Too bad, I wanted
to support their internet presence.  Mazdatrix was fast courteous and
knowledgeable.  So they will be porting out my new parts and if all goes
well I will get them next week along with new front spacers and thrust
bearings.  Yeah, it is kinda a chuck of change, but it is my engine...heck,
I paid more for my Dynon EFIS.  I am really looking forward to the new
parts.  Maybe they were not needed, but if it gives me a bit more solid an
engine and some piece of mind...good.

All the best,

Chris

Christopher Barber
Attorney and Counselor at Law
5116 Bissonnet, No 418
Bellaire, Texas 77401

Serving the Needs of Senior Texans through
Planning with Purpose

281-464-LAWS (5297)
281-754-4168 Fax
www.TexasAttorney.net