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I purchased a 79 Limited from another forum member. I still have the 85 widebody project but that is turning into a very long term project. When I started my original search for another Rx7 I was intent on finding a stock 79. When I came across the 85 widebody I changed my direction but now that the 85 is becoming a proper build and I expect will take a number of years, its nice to have a car I can actually drive. I plan on doing some work to improve this car but nothing to the extent of making a build log.
Since this has the stock radio there really isn't a lot of functionality there. So I added a bluetooth FM modulator to play radio from my phone and built a mount for the phone.
The phone sits nicely just over the center console so it works out quite nicely.
I know that car. if the guy you bought it from has not already replaced the belts, do so immediately! The last time the car was at the house the belts were extremely worn and loose. I offered to replace them on the spot free of charge and the owner declined. It is a beautiful 7 and appears to be mostly original. Its really a gem of a car and I'm glad that you have no plans of modding it.
I know that car. if the guy you bought it from has not already replaced the belts, do so immediately! The last time the car was at the house the belts were extremely worn and loose. I offered to replace them on the spot free of charge and the owner declined. It is a beautiful 7 and appears to be mostly original. Its really a gem of a car and I'm glad that you have no plans of modding it.
Thanks for the heads up, the belts are in good shape so it looks like he took your advice and changed them.
This used to be my car (and yes, I did replace the belts, I didn't so much decline the help as forgot about it before I left). Good to see everything seems to be going well.
This used to be my car (and yes, I did replace the belts, I didn't so much decline the help as forgot about it before I left). Good to see everything seems to be going well.
I always loved those wheels the most out of the SA22's. They seem more rare than the later 80 model waffles, and there's something about the speed-holes that appeal to me still to this day. Enjoy that car, as it's a rare gem to find one in such close to original condition,
I replaced with windshield washer reservoir today with one I found out of another 79. Mine was cracked and the pump did work but not well. This one is much cleaner and works well.
Second I replaced the window channel and the door lock surround.
The old channel had a number of missing sections. It seemed pretty simple and I don't know if there is an easier way to do this but here is how I did it.
First remove inner door panel and pull the plastic away from the front and back of the door. This exposes the two openings to reach the channel.
It also exposes the front bolt holding the front channel in, this way the front channel can be taken off the window.
I also removed the screw holding the rear window in place so it could be shifted forward out of the rear channel.
Then remove the old channel and thread in the new. The only thing I would recommend is to put some tape over the opening of the door since the edges are quite sharp.
Lastly since the door panel was off I replaced the door lock surrounds.
This made a good difference in the road noise and will certainly help make the car more watertight.
Nice fixes. I noticed in one of the shots you had torn off the clear plastic liner. If you did not already, it's a good idea to replace/reseal that to protect the inner door panel from the external moisture that will inevitably get into the door cavity. It also helps with wind ingress.
And while you're in that area, it's a good idea to clean the small weep holes at the base of the door, just inside from the lower seam. That will allow water to drain and prevent rust, as much as you can. That job can be done from the outside, but is more thorough inside if you have built up stuff in there.
Not saying you need it, but if interested here is a link to a do it yourself repair thread for the dash and door panel chrome accent trim. The door panels I used as an example were also from a 79 Limited.
FYI, those door lock trim pieces do dry out over time and disintegrate. Recently, new ones have become very hard to find. More items to put on the NLA list.
I agree completely with Toruki in reference to the moisture barrier and cleaning the drain holes on the door. I went a step further and sprayed in some auto trans fluid and left the doors open for a few hours and let the atf coat the bottom of the inner door and drip out all of the excess fluid. I have done this in cars that I will have sit awaiting repair.
Where did you find the door lock surrounds? Those are excellent pieces!! Very nice work thus far!!!
I agree completely with Toruki in reference to the moisture barrier and cleaning the drain holes on the door. I went a step further and sprayed in some auto trans fluid and left the doors open for a few hours and let the atf coat the bottom of the inner door and drip out all of the excess fluid.
Nice fixes. I noticed in one of the shots you had torn off the clear plastic liner. If you did not already, it's a good idea to replace/reseal that to protect the inner door panel from the external moisture that will inevitably get into the door cavity. It also helps with wind ingress.
And while you're in that area, it's a good idea to clean the small weep holes at the base of the door, just inside from the lower seam. That will allow water to drain and prevent rust, as much as you can. That job can be done from the outside, but is more thorough inside if you have built up stuff in there.
Unfortunately, I wasn't the first one inside the door and the plastic was already ripped. I only pulled it back enough to expose the openings in the door and reused it but taped the ripped sections.
I was really surprised how clean the inside of the door was but I cleaned out what debris was in there.
Mat
Not saying you need it, but if interested here is a link to a do it yourself repair thread for the dash and door panel chrome accent trim. The door panels I used as an example were also from a 79 Limited.
FYI, those door lock trim pieces do dry out over time and disintegrate. Recently, new ones have become very hard to find. More items to put on the NLA list.
Thanks for the link, fixing the accent trim is on my list. You fix looks great by the way
I agree completely with Toruki in reference to the moisture barrier and cleaning the drain holes on the door. I went a step further and sprayed in some auto trans fluid and left the doors open for a few hours and let the atf coat the bottom of the inner door and drip out all of the excess fluid. I have done this in cars that I will have sit awaiting repair.
Where did you find the door lock surrounds? Those are excellent pieces!! Very nice work thus far!!!
Mazdatrix has them but only in black. the part number is 8545-68-421.
Hats off to you and AnUnusedUsername for taking great care of this wonderful car! Thank you for posting the part number for the lock surround as well. I look forward to seeing more updates!
The choke did not stay open on its own, now a nickle inserted behind the **** worked but not like it was supposed to, so I decided to try and fix this. I was assuming it was something in the wiring either to the choke itself or the temp sensor. Fortunately I decided to do a forum search first and found a few posts referencing a 5 amp fuse on the computer that had blown causing the choke not to work. Since thats an easy fix I started there and it was blown. I replaced that fuse and now the choke works as it should.
Here is a picture of that fuse in case anyone else needs to find it.
You can see it at the top left with the cover open.
The dome light did not work so I pulled it down and the problem was quite obvious, the wires had been pulled off the light. Unfortunately even on the bench I was unable to get it to work. Fortunately I was able to fine another one from a 79 part out. So I have now replaced the mirror glass, repainted the mount and replaced the plastic light cover.
Here is the inside of the mirror with the glass out
New Dome light cover, I am not sure if these are still in production but new ones are still available.
And the mirror installed with a functioning dome light.
The dash pad was very cracked and luckily from the same part out that I found the mirror I found a very nice dash pad. There is a very good write up on the forum of dash removal but basically I removed the passenger seat (this wouldn't have to come out but it is much easier to work in the space with it out). The glove box, the center console, shift ****, steering wheel surround, shift surround, radio, radio surround, lower dash trim on both sides, trim surrounding the gauge, the two screws attaching the gauges to the dash pad, lower air duct under the steering wheel. Once all this was out I was able to get to all the mounting screws and bolts and remove the pad.
Here are a few photos of the before and after.
It took me about 6 hours from start to finish with some of that time spent on the radio and installing a hard wired bluetooth module. Also the new and old dash both had one vent that was broken, So I was able to take the good one from each and make two functioning center vents
Big Job! well done and man, what an improvement in driving pleasure
Can you (did you?) give some info on the Blue Tooth adapting? I have the same Limited radio in my SA and that would be sweeet.
AND-
you need to keep an eye out for the rubber brace that fits btw the rear of the mirror and the windshield - it sits on that peg...
Stu Aull
80GS
AK->AZ
