Looking into buying my first FD and need some advice.
09-22-16, 05:37 PM
#1
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Looking into buying my first FD and need some advice.
Hey guys, I'm new here and have a few questions to ask. I've been searching around and found some of my answers but there's a few specifics that I'm still unsure of and that's why I'm posting here.
So, this weekend I'm going to be looking at 2 different FD's. As far as I know they are both in non-running condition, and I haven't looked at either of them.
My first question is besides the obvious backyard hacker what are some things I should be looking for on these? I know on the FC's there's a few pplaces for oil leaks and stuff. I'm aware of the coolant tank that's prone to leaking and a few other things but with this being my first rotary engine what are some things specific to the FD?
I know this is probably a dead end question also but if I'm not able to run either of these what's a good number to look for on a COLD compression test? I know they'll be much higher when cold but I'd like to at least end up with a halfway healthy engine and just rebuild it later when it gets a little weaker. Obviously I can't tell the physical condition of the rotor seals and the oil control rings.
And lastly what would you steer completely clear of in general when looking into one of these? I know the lifeline of these is the oil in the engine and a lot of people probably don't check or change it anywhere near enough and I'm sure I could spot an obviously abused car but where do yall draw the line so to speak? Im hoping to pick one of these up for around $500 since one has clearly been sitting for a long time and the other has grass grown up around it as well but I'm not sure how long it's been sitting.
Sorry about the long posy but I just want to be prepared with info to be able to haggle a bit too.
So, this weekend I'm going to be looking at 2 different FD's. As far as I know they are both in non-running condition, and I haven't looked at either of them.
My first question is besides the obvious backyard hacker what are some things I should be looking for on these? I know on the FC's there's a few pplaces for oil leaks and stuff. I'm aware of the coolant tank that's prone to leaking and a few other things but with this being my first rotary engine what are some things specific to the FD?
I know this is probably a dead end question also but if I'm not able to run either of these what's a good number to look for on a COLD compression test? I know they'll be much higher when cold but I'd like to at least end up with a halfway healthy engine and just rebuild it later when it gets a little weaker. Obviously I can't tell the physical condition of the rotor seals and the oil control rings.
And lastly what would you steer completely clear of in general when looking into one of these? I know the lifeline of these is the oil in the engine and a lot of people probably don't check or change it anywhere near enough and I'm sure I could spot an obviously abused car but where do yall draw the line so to speak? Im hoping to pick one of these up for around $500 since one has clearly been sitting for a long time and the other has grass grown up around it as well but I'm not sure how long it's been sitting.
Sorry about the long posy but I just want to be prepared with info to be able to haggle a bit too.
09-22-16, 06:36 PM
#2
well.... just from the start, if neither of them is running and the owner doesnt know why then go into it with the mentality that you will need to rebuild the motors. not saying that IS what is going to be wrong with them but just keep that in mind.
as far as things to look for, there isnt really anything fd specific that you should check outside of the engine health. just look for normal car stuff really.
when it comes to steering clear....... if you can get it for under 1000 the only thing i would be worried about is if its stolen or if theres someone looking for it. theres no way to lose if youre getting a complete fd for that cheap even if its not running.
where in nc are you?
as far as things to look for, there isnt really anything fd specific that you should check outside of the engine health. just look for normal car stuff really.
when it comes to steering clear....... if you can get it for under 1000 the only thing i would be worried about is if its stolen or if theres someone looking for it. theres no way to lose if youre getting a complete fd for that cheap even if its not running.
where in nc are you?
09-22-16, 06:47 PM
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I'm located in eastern nc, I've only ever seen 3 FD's in my area and a ton more rx-8s and most of them have had a ton of problems from people just not caring for them properly. As for the mind set of rebuilding the engine, I planned on it anyways. Even if it doesn't need to be done right away I'll still save for a kit and do it when I have everything ready to go. Usually around here stolen vehicles aren't just sitting in someone's front yard and I don't buy any vehicle if I can't get a clean title with it. The 2 I'm looking into are red and white. The white one is under a tree so hopefully rust isn't too bad although I don't mind a little since they're getting up there in age. The red one has the tan interior and it looks to be in about the same shape as the white one. They're probably both 93's so they're as old as I am lol.
Also if I don't rebuild it righ away would running partial premix along with themetering pump be a bad idea? I have no idea when they were run last and I'm sure a little extra oil wouldn't hurt anything.
I'm hoping that one of the owners won't really know what they have and since a seals and gasket kit is pretty expensive I can use that as leverage for a rebuild in the future even though I'm plenty capable of doing it myself.
Also if I don't rebuild it righ away would running partial premix along with themetering pump be a bad idea? I have no idea when they were run last and I'm sure a little extra oil wouldn't hurt anything.
I'm hoping that one of the owners won't really know what they have and since a seals and gasket kit is pretty expensive I can use that as leverage for a rebuild in the future even though I'm plenty capable of doing it myself.
09-22-16, 06:52 PM
#4
eastern you say? so am i. im in goldsboro. if youre nearish, i wouldnt mind going with you if thats something youre interested in.
premixing and using the omp is fine. plenty of people do it. its just you have to use a much lower ratio. maybe .25oz/gal and that may even be too much. i run no omp and ive been 1oz/gal.
premixing and using the omp is fine. plenty of people do it. its just you have to use a much lower ratio. maybe .25oz/gal and that may even be too much. i run no omp and ive been 1oz/gal.
09-22-16, 07:43 PM
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I'm in Morehead City, but one car is in Dover and the other is in the kinston/ lagrange area (not sure where the cit line is exactly in that area).And you're roughly only about an hour and a half from me if I remember correctly. I'd probably be better off with the red one since it's not directly under a tree.
How much oil does the metering pump anyways? I know it's not much but do you happen to know the figure at say idle and WOT? I'm curious.
How much oil does the metering pump anyways? I know it's not much but do you happen to know the figure at say idle and WOT? I'm curious.
09-22-16, 07:47 PM
#6
the omp is load based and theres a chart somewhere that shows the rate vs load. it can get really complicated. kinston isnt that far from me. i have a couple friends out there. ive never been to dover before. well, if you want me to swing by in kinston/la grange, pm me and id be more than happy to help.
09-22-16, 08:06 PM
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Ill look for the chart, I'd just like to see it for some reason. And do you know that 70mph stretch heading to newbern? Dover is basically through some fields along that area there.
I'll pm you my number, I plan on heading out there Saturday so hopefully they're home. I don't even know if either of these cars is for sale but I'm hoping that they just want it gone and I can snag it. Running an impreza is a bit boring and the seats hurt my back a lot. Plus I've wanted an fd since I was 10 and seeing 2 just sitting makes me all excited.
I'll pm you my number, I plan on heading out there Saturday so hopefully they're home. I don't even know if either of these cars is for sale but I'm hoping that they just want it gone and I can snag it. Running an impreza is a bit boring and the seats hurt my back a lot. Plus I've wanted an fd since I was 10 and seeing 2 just sitting makes me all excited.
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09-24-16, 10:18 PM
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Unless rebuilding is a hobby and you have a lot of time, buying a car in the shape you want it to end up in is always cheaper. My worst buy was a non-running car that just needed a differential. And then brakes, and then suspension and drive bushings, and why only 10psi oil pressure...
09-24-16, 10:34 PM
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Well I didn't get to go look at either of them today, but hopefully next weekend I'll be able to. I don't mind rebuilding engines or transmissions and I have a ton of tools at my disposal. About the only thing I don't have is an engine stand that I know will properly support a 13b, but I'm sure I could figure something out. I consider anything dealing with brakes, steering, or suspension normal maintenance on any older vehicle that I get my hands on so I'm basically only held back by which route I want to take with everything and saving up to get the parts.
But I do hear you on the whole one thing after another situation, I've been there with my 240sx. I paid $300 for it with a blown head gasket and replaced nearly half the car by the time I traded it. Luckily most of it was cosmetic stuff.
I have no problem holding off on a car if it's not truly worth the time or money, but buying one that's in good running shape makes me wonder how often it's just completely abused and not cared for. It might look good but it could also be haunted with issues. I think the white car I have my eye on is owned by an older person since the house and vehicle sort of reflect that, so with that one I'm hoping it's just a carbon issue or something simple that they just don't want to mess with.
But I do hear you on the whole one thing after another situation, I've been there with my 240sx. I paid $300 for it with a blown head gasket and replaced nearly half the car by the time I traded it. Luckily most of it was cosmetic stuff.
I have no problem holding off on a car if it's not truly worth the time or money, but buying one that's in good running shape makes me wonder how often it's just completely abused and not cared for. It might look good but it could also be haunted with issues. I think the white car I have my eye on is owned by an older person since the house and vehicle sort of reflect that, so with that one I'm hoping it's just a carbon issue or something simple that they just don't want to mess with.
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