I wonder sometimes about different forum members' level of experience. It's easy to pick up who the guru's are for different things ( carbs, ignition mods, tweaking suspension, all around stuff, but you never really know until you ask. So I thought I would...

 

I'm not too experienced myself. Everytime I work on something, I'm constantly having to ask my brother or dad about it. If something goes wrong, such as a frozen bolt, a rounded head, or something requires welding, I go to my brother or my dad.

So, overall, I'm not a particularly experienced mechanic. I know the basics and how to turn a wrench, but I'm DEFINITELY still learning.

 

I can tear a civic apart with my eyes closed, already build the engine, swapped rear end, suspension, dissasemble the gearbox and replaced the differential, hacked the ECU, etc.

Just dont ask me about rotaries yet, all the time Im wondering "whats this little thing???"

 

I am capable of doing more than I have done or had done. Still alot to learn and am doing more myself lately.

 

I can put a round object in a square peg, lol/ rx7doctor

 

I'm 30 years old and was in the automotive aftermarket from 17 - 28. I've been ASE certified for auto repair, and have had probably 50 cars over the years. Most of them have been completely stripped and rebuilt.. This is my first rotary and I'm learning plenty... But for typical automotive issues, I should be able to help.. Later.

Dave

 

when it comes to first gens id say i would rate 9 out or 10 as far as mechanics is concerned

 

As a driver owner in the past I have experience with diesel engine re-builds and turbos. V-8's are a breeze. Rearends and gears I have good knowledge with. Have done my own work for over 20 years on my trucks and cars. As for the rotary engine though, I have gotten most of my knowledge from this as well as another forum. I have taken advice of selective members and put it work. Such as the direct fire. I have also learned form making mistakes, such as the 255 lph pump when I should have gone with the 195 lph pump. Most of the time I post It is from work that I have actually done already. I know what does work, but not everything that doesn't work.

 

Read my write up about my Astro v8 swap. Been doing this stuff for 25 years and still don't have all the answers. Know a little about everything, Master of none. Jack of all trades.

Later,
Bill.

 

Mech skill here? Worked for a while tearing into Yahmaha boat motors, currently a lube tech squeazing in training with the mechs to learn more. Other than that learned by trial and error (make that many errors) so I would rate myself around a 4 or 5. Raced for 2 yrs and figured it was time to learn how to fix 'em when ya brake 'em.

Green means go, Yellow means go faster, Red means you weren't fast enough..

 

Oh, sorry, the writeup is in the link in my signature..
Later,
Bill

 

i've rebuilt the engine in my 88 gxl, i've repaired every piece of **** car i've ever owned, that leads to knowing quite a bit about cars....

but im always learnin

 

What I can do is change the bulbs in the climate control (my old mechanics didn't think that I could do it) and gauge clusters and I have replaced the radiator in my Civic all by myself. Have been the assistant and go-fer for friends on other under the hood projects. I hate changing my rims for autocross. Right now, I'm making a greater effort to learn to be more mechanical thanks to my really mechanically saavy bf. I own a Matco torque wrench and a small SnapOn swivelheaded socket wrench. The day after Thanksgiving I went to Sears and bought tools on sale. I'm learning how to solder so I can socket ECU's with my bf. And I think that I am pretty good in diagnosing problems in my cars. I can't wait until spring!!!

And I am the only woman that pokes around in my local pick n pull junkyard. Good times... lol.

 

When I first bought my '81 GS, I didn't even know how to change the oil on a car. Now that I'm on my second RX-7, my '79 GS, I've done all the springs/shocks/struts, changed my ignition over to DLIDFIS, rebuilt the carb, swapped the rear end for an '81 GSL, the list goes on.

I'm hardly an expert. Heck, I'm probably only marginally competent, but everything I've learned about working on cars was learned working on my '79.

 

Godlike.

 

well for all of you... if an engine runs fine but acts like it'd running out of fuel, after the fuel pump has been replaced it picks up but still does not perform to spec and studders like it is running out of fuel when run hard or for a few minutes straight... the engine doesn't blow excessive smoke doesn't use excessive oil and the coolant is still full and clean... what the hell is my problem, the carb shoots out a nice spray of gas when the throttle is hit so... my problem? the guy i bought it from said it had a 'leaky side seal' could this be my problem, sorta need help as my car won't do over 55...

first gear will rev to 8 easily under a load, doesn't smoke or anything, second will go to about 5.5 and 3rd goes to about 5 then 4th makes about 4 and 5th basically chugs... what the fudge is goin on

please help me

 

1st question). Did you do a fuel pressure and volume test on your old pump before replacing it. On these type of symptons it can be anywhere from a fuel volume issue to low float level in the carb. Their could be a kink in the metal line from the fuel pump to the carb or twisted fuel hose. You ahve to make sure that you have proper voltage back at the pump, a loss of current will hamper output. Was the other things that you have done recently to the vehicle and did the sympton come on all of a sudden or over a period of time before you replaced the pump. rx7doctor

 

Even before doing any kind of diagnosis, I'd throw a new fuel filter in there. $2 and usually the problem. The stock fuel pump sucks big-time, *any* restriction and it can't supply enough fuel. It's marginal for even a bone stock engine.

On a stock vehicle, the fuel filter should be replaced about as often as the spark plugs, about every 5-6k. Once you put a better fuel pump in, and a high output ignition box (MSD!), you can forego the intensive maintenance rituals.

 

I don't agree with that schedule. The fuel filter is good for atleast 15k, i have owned 1st gen's for over 20 years and never have had a fuel filter plug up in that
time. Plugs depending on how you are driving, stop and go, mainly highway, or
just flat out wild. Id say 15-30k. now the cap and rotor every 15-20k. The stock pump sucks on any application besides stock, meanig put on a mikuni, dellorto or
weber or holley and kiss it goodbye. For stock motors the factory mazda pump
lasts a long time. the area that you get in trouble with is in the eastern states
where you get alot of rust and the tanks deteriorate internally. By the way where did all the experienced people g? I only said i could put a round object in a square
peg,LOL, ex7doctor

 

I'm a jewler by trade. "I likey da itty-bitty!" Used to take apart sewing machines, **** like that when I was a kid. I guess that's why I do so well with the Nikki.
I love science, too. Carburetors combines just the right amount of geekiness (physics & math) with just the right amount of mechanics (grease & metal) to make me really enjoy modifying them.
I have that "problem solver gene", too. I can MacGuyver a part for any application out of bailing wire, or I can fabricate one the right way in my machine shop.

Can't seem to make sense out of a wiring diagram, though.

 

I dont know crap about cars. So I read the 1st gen section before I do starting any project.

 

Teh BFH is your friend.

 

I'm "competent" at most aspects of cars, but not real experienced with the rotary...I'm learning. Right now I'm in the process of doing my first rotary rebuild. I'm generally able to learn how to do most things, especially with a little help from this forum and other internet resources. I'm especially good with electrical stuff. And I'm good at restoring things...I like to take a cruddy old starter or alternator, tear it completely apart, clean it, sandblast and paint it (where appropriate), replace whatever parts are worn, and put it back together. Very satisfying.

 

Im still learning, I would say im a moderatly good mechanic. I just would like more experience so that I am more confident in my skills.

 

Oh ya and i should mention that everytime I find myself in trouble I have a place to come and get some help...
Thanks guys!