In a message dated 00-01-25 20:11:38 EST, mrc01@flash.net writes:
<< Building a solid, reliable rotary engine is no easy task. >>
neither is building a low emissions, durable piston engine. there just was a
lot more engineering of development of the piston engines during an
especially volatile time in the 70's for automotive change.
mazda never lived down the early weaknesses of the earliest engines.
however, by 1978, the 12A and later 13B have proven to be incredibly durable,
often giving more than 200K+ miles running strong. my 6 port 13B is 152K and
runs very very well, as well as enduring 7 straight track hours at
thunderhill with virtually no rest.
another problem for the wankel is that a large area is exposed to the
combustion process, which occurs more frequently than in a 4 stroke, and that
the heat is concentrated on one side of the engine.
-James Creasy
President, BAPOC http://www.klio.net/probe
CSP rx7 http://www.klio.net/rx7
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