engine importers
 

coastal places that import used japanese rotaries?

2 nights ago I was talking to an engineer that measures, repairs and manufactures parts for smaller (up to 10 ton) sea faring vessels that have parts that arent made anymore. (really old boats, engine companies out of business, etc...). He was telling me that Japan raises the taxes on older engines, the older it gets, so alot of the parts end up being shipped to the us and resold to shops.

Maybe this is a dirty secret that I shouldnt tell, or maybe its listed somewhere on this site, but do you guys know where they would be imported to before they are snatched by junkyards?

I'd love to grab a working series I to replace my fred flintstone mobile.

I was hoping socal ports, like LA/LB and oxnard.

Buying engines from japan is a HUGE gamble. The likelihood of getting a "good" motor that you can just drop in and run is rather slim.

Your best bet is to either have yours professionally rebuilt, buy a new (or reman) engine from Mazda, or get the japanese one and PLAN ON REBUILDING IT before you install it.

Well your engineer friend is full of it. 20 years ago it was they had to replace the engines at 30k, more BS.

I have lived in Japan for 20 years, never once has any of these BS rumors been true. They passed a recycle tax that you paid once about 7 years ago, new cars have that added on in the dealer price. Your car is taxed by displacement of the engine. 660cc is abot 40 bucks a year for tax, a 6 liter v8 will set you back about 1100. This is why there are so many Kcars on the road. The Kcar also does not need a shakoshomei, or a parking spot. Anything over 660CC needs proof of a parking spot weather its in front of your house, or a parking spot you rent down the street. The cops actually come and inspect this spot.

A lot of cars will sit on a used lot, eventually they will go to auction. There they are bought in lots by dismantlers, and the parts are sold or recycled. Some will do a compression test, and write down the milage, others just heap them into bins and they are sold as is.

The last thing I would buy is a used rotary, unless it was a 20B and then I would hope it still had usable parts. Mazda used to tell rotary owners to rebuild or replace at 60,000km. Now thats not a lot in miles, but one thats been rolled threw a junk yard would be my last choice.

Now if you wanted clean interior parts thats another story. They put plastic on everything like your Nana's favorite sofa. They think it will bring a higher resale if the interior is like new. Sorry its not, and they should have enjoyed it them selves.

that's pretty definitive. I'm glad i'm in the right forum. He wasnt my friend, but he was giving advice... thanks! :)

BTW keen0arene, you are over the 10 post/30 day restriction to the New Member forum. You can create posts anywhere on the site now.