Essex Rotary Quick Vid 44 - Finding Timing Marks from TDC on your Rotary RX7 FB or FC

On older rotary engines the factory marks are often long gone, lost to the passage of time, corrosion, grease and grime etc.
In this simple vid we show you the easiest way we have found to remark your front pulley with the original timing marks, that will enable you to then go and check the timing along with tuning your engine.
For more Information on your specific Rotary based faults or to discuss your needs.or order your ignition parts then head over and visit us at www.essexrotary.co.uk/
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[@lmckee54]

Any advice on where to set your timing on the FB? My car is really hard starting when it’s cold and I have been doing research to try and find a preferred ° without any luck.

[@essexrotary1540]

you should be setting your timing marks to the stock position on the crank pulleys, then get your timing light out to check and set your timing.
On the older engines there can be a number of things that can cause hard starting not just the timing.

[@jasondayberry9906]

Have u tried the flywheel flat face way? Quick and simple to do.dor tdc

[@essexrotary1540]

We are not familiar with this, always up for learning something new.
Please do share your knowledge.

[@jasondayberry9906]

Remove passengerside inspection plate so the flywheel will be exposed . Rotate engine until u see the flywheel counterweight or flat face of flywheel . That will be tdc.

[@perjian1697]

Yup. Thats the fsm way to do it as the pulley on the front can get installed incorrectly especially if mixing parts from another series of motor. ​@@jasondayberry9906

[@acruz40d]

Hello,
I'm converting my 1987 mazda rx7 gxl non turbo, automatic in to a 5 speed car. Would I need a new ECU because of the, now swapped, manual transmission?

[@essexrotary1540]

You may be ok, but if your trying to keep it stock then you could look for a stock manual ECU.
Or go aftermarket and give yourself the option to do some tuning.
Something like that you could probably get away with a LinkECU Monsoon if your happy to do some wiring.
There are some great guides on here from another TH-camr who has done the LinkECU install.

[@rx7gary973]

Is it true that there are 3 spots in a rotary FB that can be TDC? Which one is the correct position, is your method accurate?

[@pj3635]

Yes, 3 faces on each rotor.. So 3 tdc's.

[@essexrotary1540]

whatever face of the front rotor you set to TDC the timing mark will be in the same place.

[@essexrotary1540]

did you ever get to the bpttom of your issue?

[@jamesford3549]

I was doing this recently.
The pulley is 360mm so 1mm is 1 degree.
The yellow leading mark should be 5 degrees/5mm after tdc. Then the trailing should be 20 degrees after tdc. So 20mm after the tdc mark.
You have 15mm between the leading and tdc mark, so I think you actually found the notch for the trailing and made that your leading mark. It’s too far retarded If your tdc mark is true.
Also 12As don’t have a level combustion chamber so I’ve never believed the screw driver trick works to find tdc on a 12a, only 13bs with the MDR recess in the rotor.