Had a look at a free RX-7 today

"gmctavish needs more space" (gmctavish)
03/17/2018 at 20:32 • Filed to: Doritos

The paint is as bad as it looks, it hasn’t run in probably 10 years, maybe more. I think the fuel pump was hanging down underneath it. Tell me rotary Oppos, is it possible that it would run without a rebuild after sitting that long? I’m assuming not, but if there’s a chance, I might make a terrible decision for my bank account.

Oh yeah, it’s an ‘85 GSL-SE

More pics:

Also the clutch pedal stuck to the firewall as soon as I touched it

I already have a truck that needs some attention, and a Volvo that really really needs a lot of attention, I shouldn’t do this...and yet here I am, in the worst place to be discouraged from buying a car. My thinking is that despite being free, it would be much cheaper to buy one that runs.

DISCUSSION (21)

Spridget > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 20:43

Even if it can’t be made to run, you could part it out.

gmctavish needs more space > Spridget
03/17/2018 at 20:45

It’s only free to someone that wants to fix it, so if not me, they’ve got a couple other people who will take a look, and then maybe craigslist after that.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 20:46

Weird is I’m eating Doritos currently... wtf. Also free... so... why not? Assuming there is space.

Kiltedpadre > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 20:47

I hate to suggest walking away from a free car, but that may be the best option here. I think this would be best as a parts car for someone.

gmctavish needs more space > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
03/17/2018 at 20:50

There isn’t really space, I’d have to find somewhere else to park the Raider, or insure it full time. Or somewhere else to keep this and work on it

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 20:51

I say take it, only because it’s a 13b FB.

gmctavish needs more space > Kiltedpadre
03/17/2018 at 20:51

Most likely. I’m having a hard time saying no to a free car, but it’s possibly an even bigger project than my Volvo

gmctavish needs more space > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
03/17/2018 at 20:52

Yeah that’s what several of the voices in my head keep saying too

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 20:52

Uh yeah that is a money pit, way cheaper to get a decent one.

gmctavish needs more space > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
03/17/2018 at 20:54

I figured. Plus it sounds like even the good ones are money pits.

MM54 > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 20:58

If nothing else, an -SE will get you an easy grand in parts.

gmctavish needs more space > MM54
03/17/2018 at 20:59

True, but it’s only free to someone that will fix it

E90M3 > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 21:00

Free.99 is my favorite price.

Kiltedpadre > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 21:02

I understand completely. I’m comfortable saying you should walk away, but if it were offered to me I’d probably have it on a trailer already.

I know taking it would probably be an expensive mistake, but it’s still a free, potentially fun car.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 21:17

Oh then yeah that’s a tough call. So many cars out there... we can’t save them all.

gmctavish needs more space > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
03/17/2018 at 22:17

Yeah...I want to save too many.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > gmctavish needs more space
03/17/2018 at 22:48

I know the feeling.

AdverseMartyr > gmctavish needs more space
03/18/2018 at 01:58

My understanding is that the rotary engines will always need a rebuild because the rear main seal will wear out, right? So isn’t it guaranteed that the seal is shot (dried out/cracked/etc) on one that has sat for 10 years, isn’t it?

Plus that rust your photos show - how much more is there that is not visible?

I’d pass with the restrictions about it only being free to restore. What if it’s just not possible...

gmctavish needs more space > AdverseMartyr
03/18/2018 at 02:52

Yeah I’m assuming that the apex seals or god knows what other seals are all dried out and dead now. And that rust is definitely a concern as well

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > gmctavish needs more space
03/18/2018 at 05:23

I have no experience with rotaties that haven’t been run that long, but I reckon that main seals and O-rings from the oil control rings might need to be replaced, in which case you could also replace the apex and side seals for good measure.

Kinja'd!!!

Also, an apex seal won’t dry out, ever, it’s a metal part.

gmctavish needs more space > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
03/18/2018 at 12:41

Ohh I had no idea those were metal...

But it seems safe to assume the engine would have to come out