FB RX7 Project Car

"Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?" (autophile412)
11/07/2016 at 11:52 • Filed to: None

So I have acquired a thing. That thing is a 1985 Mazda RX-7 GSL SE. I will be picking up said thing over the Thanksgiving weekend and my work will commence post haste.

I am terrified because I have never worked on nor owned a Wankel. I am excited because it is the fuel injected 13B Wankel. I am also going to be completely lost with a vehicle for the first time in over a decade.

I have acquired this thing through a channel which provided me the thing at no cost other than to trailer it 125 miles to my garage because the previous owner wants it out of his garage.

Pictures and a “to-do” list will be forthcoming.

Any Advice????

DISCUSSION (13)

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
11/07/2016 at 12:02

Why is Oppo buying 80's sports cars today? MontegoMan got a Capri, you got a RX7. Who’s next?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
11/07/2016 at 12:03

I, for one, welcome our new ‘80s sports car overlords, and will gladly accept one into my home.

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
11/07/2016 at 12:22

I was on the search for an E30 and this just kind of fell in my lap so I welcomed the new challenge. My wife is less than thrilled.

nerd_racing > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
11/07/2016 at 15:49

I have an 85 RX7 with the carbed 12a! Can I get in on the party?

nerd_racing > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/07/2016 at 15:49

want mine?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > nerd_racing
11/07/2016 at 16:05

I’m afraid the salt in Chicagoland would consumer its exterior in a matter of minutes, and I unfortunately have nowhere to store it in the winter. haha

nerd_racing > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/07/2016 at 16:08

this one is a georgia car, so its pretty good rust wise, just a little dry inside.

SantaRita > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
11/07/2016 at 17:38

best advice i have?

if the motor need internal work(and for a free car i don’t have high expectations) buy one rebuilt or warrantied used... the cost is too close to DIY, but you get a warranty and and engine to install right away.. If needed, i can tell you where i’ve found the best pricing.

my rebuild is taking me forever. I’m also try to be a good parent so i’m working late evenings, mostly. I’d have been done in a week instead of a couple of months otherwise. Doing an engine rebuild is way more technical and in my case some of parts were damaged and that adds to the cost. Something cool: some of the internal parts are shared on these engines from 1979 all the through the rx8 in 2011. lots of DNA trickle down. but also means many advancements were external (intake, fueling, port style).

Also, the gsl-se is the most sought after of the first gens. it has the EFI, but also the limited slip diff and a few other minor things that were extra sporty and nice.

Keep us posted, i’m subscribed ;)

Leonardo DiCabriolet > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
11/07/2016 at 17:57

Oooo good “buy”. Can’t wait to see this thing.

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > SantaRita
11/09/2016 at 15:00

The engine is actually in good working condition. The brakes all work and the suspension isn’t too bad either. All of the weather seal and rubber bits are pretty shot and it has a bad battery and two year old fuel in the tank.

It won’t take much to get it running right. I acquired the car from my Father-in-law. He just never even looks at it anymore and he wants it to get used and taken care of. He has had it since 1987.

SantaRita > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
11/09/2016 at 15:11

family member: that explains the bargain!
read up on geting these running fresh again. lots of advice out there. Aaron Cake is a popular source. Id replace the fuel filter, and it wont hurt to put some oil in the combustion chambers on first start since not much oil will have stayed put.

http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

The issue i had with mine was from sitting a long time. The internal seals dry out and you get smoke from coolant or oil that gets past them. I drove mine with leaking oil control ring seals for about two years before they went too far to be roadworthy(smokescreen).

Autophile412 - what's the world got in store? > SantaRita
11/10/2016 at 08:44

Awesome site. Thanks.

SantaRita > Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?
11/11/2016 at 14:37

http://foxed.ca/index.php?page=rx7manual#firstgen
free factory service manual....save you a lot of googling

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/1stgen/tech_rebuilt_engine_startup_breakin.html

sorry, another link. this guy has a lot of tech info that is generally useful, broken down by generation.

rx7club.com tech forums aren’t bad but they are slow to load and the valuable data/info isn’t always easy to find. the manuals are great.