"Dave S" wrote

The rotary is SLIGHTLY less fuel efficient than a normally aspirated lycoming
engine when the lyc is tuned properly and run LOP. Being able to use car gas
in a rotary obliterates any cost penalty on that marginal fuel economy issue.

Cost per mile is cheaper in the rotary. And it can be rebuilt for less than
the cost of ONE new lycoming jug, or replaced for the cost of 3 new jugs.

Do the math yourself and you will see.

Not so terrible now, is it?

Not so bad, if you can figure out how to keep the oil and water cool enough, and
keep the exhaust pipes from melting, and radiating all of the heat to the
cowling. (which if it fiberglass, will tend to make it get soft as play-dough)

Hint: almost all of the lost fuel economy is lost in the form of lots of heat
radiating from the engine, mainly the exhaust gasses.
--
Jim in NC