bbostic5

Hey guys, I recently joined the website, but have been a lurker here for years. I am currently finishing up school and will start working this June. Fortunately, the job is well paying and I would like to purchase an FD some time in the next year or so, as it is my dream car. However, while I have a lot of general knowledge about cars and the car world, I have very limited experience actually working on cars (I'm the only "car guy" in the family). Being a car guy, I would like to work on the future FD not only to save money, but more importantly for the satisfaction of it.

Obviously, the best way to get good at something is to do it, but I am completely lost as far as what tools to purchase for working on the car. I would leave tuning, painting, body work, other big projects to professionals, but otherwise, I would really enjoy doing most of it myself. This would also not be my DD, so no worries there, and if it helps, I am currently in Birmingham for the next year, but frequently make trips to Atlanta. I know what parts to buy for the car and the vendors to use, I just have no tools, nor do I know where to go about acquiring them or which ones to buy.

Thanks

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

Until you get into specialized parts of the car then your best equipment is a Good tool box of sockets,wrenches,screwdrivers,vice grips,hammer,multi meter,power tools like drill,Dremel...etc.
Pretty well a Decent quality of tool..not the cheap ****..

Spalato

iTrader: (33)

Hey man, I also didnt have much experience working on cars until I started working on my FD. I have learned so much...and I as well didnt have any tools at first.

I found a guide on here somewhere about what are the most common tools you need to work on a FD...once I get to my desktop I will find the guide and link it here....I used it to buy all my tools...

Spalato

iTrader: (33)

Here I found it!

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...our-fd-907248/

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

My man-servant and personal FD mechanic once told me that you can (almost) take these cars apart and put them back together with three wrenches....a 10mm; 12mm and 14mm. I wouldn't know...I find dirty fingernails simply disgusting. Besides, I'm too busy reading Forbes in that big leather chain in my library and working on being pompous enough to fit into the local PCA club.
In reality, get a decent set of metric hand tools and you probably have it covered. Sears/Craftsman is decent for the money. To start you'll need a 3/8 drive and 1/2" drive socket-ratchet set and a hand-wrench set that goes up to 21mm deep and shallow sockets, pliers, screw driver set and a copy of the FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL (available free in the 3rd Gen. section FAQ sticky). Other nice-to-have things that I can think of off-hand are a 1/2" drive 18" breaker-bar, dead-blow hammer, an inexpensive 1/2" drive torque wrench, a well lighted work bench, stocked garage frig, and patience. I also like the cast oil filter socket (not the stamped metal ones) available at any chain parts store and LED work lights. Floor jack and four jack stands. Put everything in an inexpensive tool box with growing room and as you learn, your tool needs/wants will expand.

If you get inside the engine there are some specialty things to have, but as a novice owner that's premature. Get a solid, unmolested car (see 'buying' in the 3rd Gen. section FAQ sticky) and do absolutely NO performance modifications on it for at least a year. Just maintenance....all fluids, belts, plugs etc. And whenever you open the hood and see something you can't identify, get the FSM out and look it up. Then search here in the 3rd Gen. Section with key terms to learn more. You'll amaze yourself on how much will be learned that first year.

bbostic5

Wow, thanks so much for the quick and informative replies! There's not too much of a hurry obviously, but this will give me a head start and some insight into what to purchase before I buy my dream FD. And sorry, I didn't mean to come off as an *** in the title.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

You didn't come off as an ***. No worries. It's just that I think that, like me, the majority of owners do their own modifications to these cars. Just having a little fun.

I also disagree, A LITTLE, with DaleClark in that link. If you're not making a living with the tools, Harbor Freight is a great source FOR SOME THINGS. In some cases the stuff you buy at HF is the same tool that Sears or other retailers re-badge and sell under their name at a higher price.
I've personally bought the above mentioned dead-blow hammer, brass hammers, long needle-nose pliers, mechanic's gloves, pneumatic tools and a host of other stuff and been pleased. Particularly like their "EARTHQUAKE 450+ ft/lb impact. Had one for 6 or 8 yrs and still works like a charm. And though I have my own MAC tools (bought working my way through college), HF does have free replacement of any of their hand-tools that break.

nepopolus

also agree on harbor freight basic tools, have used the "cheap tools" for years with no real complaints. There electric and air tools also work fine. The high dollar tools I see no real gain from for a backyard mechanic.
Some cars can benefit from certain things (tighter clearances may demand higher dollar tools) but all years of rx7 are in all honestly very open, and have a pretty easy access to all of its parts.

RJzoomzoom

theres always more tools to buy, start with the basics and work your way on up. take ase tests not those rip off tech program schools, they are a waste unless an employer is paying your way. find a timing light and pressure tester along with the tools mistr69 listed. good luck