In a message dated 11/4/2002 12:14:52 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
sqpilot@earthlink.net writes:

> Hi, fellow rotary enthusiasts.  I have a 1989 turbo model 13B. (missing the
> turbo, however). Today I removed the home made intake manifold, and to my
> surprise, antifreeze started pouring all over the floor. (Fortunately, I
was
> in the garage instead of the living room) Upon inspection, I found two
holes
> approximately 3/4 inch in diameter with O-rings on either side of the
center
> two ports. Can anyone tell me the purpose of these two holes?
>        I purchased the fuel injection and ignition system from Dave Atkins,
> and the intake manifold appears to fit very well, but it will effectively
> block off and/or seal both of these holes. Just wondering about their
purpose.
>  Thanks in advance for your replies.  Paul Conner, Mobile, AL
>  
The holes centered in the rotor housing were used to heat the intake manifold
on street cars. They are not used in racing as the heating of the intake
charge reduces power. This is nearly the same as pulling on the carb heat in
a Champ or Cub. You see the RPM drop from heated air being ingested. There is
no problem closing them off. It can be done with a threaded socket plug, a
core support plug from the Dorman box at NAPA, or if, as you describe,
covered by the manifold casting. I have all of the above systems going on and
have seen some (12A) housings where the land area around the hole is still
there, but the hole is cast closed.
Lynn E. Hanover