I have a 1983 Mazda RX seven which has some carburetor problems. Does anyone know a specific carburetor that I can switch out with my original stock carburetor that will work just as well? It’s too much of a hassle to send away my carburetor and have it rebuilt.

 

If you have time, I'd rebuild it yourself. It's not too hard as long as you're super organized. Getting it off is half the battle!

The short answer is nothing plug and play.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. It’s a 1983 Mazda RX7 GSL. I bought it brand new in 1983 and it is basically been sitting a lot in my garage. It has about 47,000 miles and is in near perfect condition but it idols really badly. The automotive shop that has worked on it said that I need my carburetor rebuilt but they won’t do it and they don’t know anyone else that will do it. They told me the throttle shaft is wore through the Carburetor as well as the brass bushings are wore and it is sucking air is why the idol is messed up. I know very little about cars so I wouldn’t even attempt to try to fix it myself. Do you know of anyone I can send it to to have it rebuilt? I see there is someone on eBay that will rebuild the carburetor?

 

where in illinois are you located? I might be able to help/suggest someone/something. PM me

 

Wait,... you bought the car NEW in 1983? We want to hear the story behind that and the intervening years, and maybe see a few pics from along the way! Sounds like a great car and car story. The 84SE I'm driving today is the car my dad bought new in 1984 and has a special place in my heart.

Take care, and good luck on finding a board member who can rebuild it for you and get it back to performing as you want,

 

I have a few pictures I can post along with the original window sticker. Is there a specific thread where I post pictures of the car? Not sure how to do this on this site.

 

Not sure I'd trust what that shop is telling you. Sounds like you describe they are saying its sucking air through a leak due to a worn throttle shaft / bushing. Sound like pure B/S to me. It's much more likely there's a vacumm leak through a dried out or cracked hose, possibly in the rats nest. With the engine running, you can spray some carb cleaner or starting fluid, systematically on the various hoses to check for leaks. Where ever there is a vacuum leak the fluid will be sucked in and the RPM will pick up as it gets burned.

Not sure how long its sat, but you may want to drain the tank, pump out the lines and replace the fuel filter. Ad some sea foam to fresh gas and give it a try. At worst, you may need the carb rebuilt. Shouldn't be that hard to find some one to do that.

 

You can post the pictures here in this thread if you'd like.

I also call BS on the worn throttle shafts. I've been working on these cars for over 20 years and have rebuilt many many RX-7 carburetors in that time. I can't remember any that had worn throttle shaft bushings. I agree with the above in regards to a vacuum leak caused by a failing vacuum line or one that's not installed properly or has fallen off. Does the engine just idle poorly? Are there drivability issues as well? Any bucking or hesitation through the rev range?

It's likely that the carb does need rebuilt but unlilely that it is worn and needs replaced. Once rebuilt it will need fine tuned on the engine. I also recommend replacing your fuel filter when you do this. When was the last time the spark plugs were replaced? They should be NGK BR8EQ-14 spark plugs.

 

I took a quick look at this car on monday, the idle is erratic, and rhythmic. I would think a vacuum leak would generally cause a consistent high idle? the sub zero hose was disconnected as was the OMP lever. didn't notice any play in the shaft, but it was hard to reach with all the linkages in the way. I suggested carb rebuild, plugs, wires, fuel filter, check fuel pump pressure, check vacuum. also suggested premix, didn't replace the OMP lever because I didn't have tools with me. motor sounded good other than idle problem. will be a great car when this is sorted out.

 

Don't forget a new Distributor Cap and Rotor, and it wouldn't hurt to pour a full can of Seafoam in the next fill up, either. Good luck,

 

it ended up being the carburetor. I sent it away and had it remanufactured and now the car drives just like new.

 

Glad it's back running good for you. You mean you had the carb rebuilt? (cleaned out w/new gaskets, screens and such) Where did you send it?

 

I shipped it to GuaranteedCarburetor in Largo Florida. They told me that it was completely re-manufactured whatever that means. The automotive shop that put it on said it looked brand new now.

 

Interesting, assuming by the time line of this thread it didn't take too long. 6-8 weeks? Can you post any pic's of it? Or the whole car for that matter. An original owner with a nice car is always a welcome treat.

 

Like I said previously I bought this brand new in 1983. Soon afterwards the company I’ve worked with gave me a company car so I did not drive this car much. It has only 47,000 miles on it and the only thing that has been replaced is the tires which had dry rot over the years. I always thought I would save it for one of my kids to drive when they got their license but kids these days don’t know how to drive a five speed nor do they want to learn.

 

Glad you got it running right! I wondered what you were going to do

 

Wow, looks great. I have an 80 in Tornado silver, 1st year for the color on an Rx7. Hopefully, you can get going on making some new memories with it next spring.

 

Beautiful FB! And now a running again! enjoy-
Somewhat ...miraculous?... you found someone wiiling - and ABLE! - to do a rebuild. Well done.

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

You have a gem of a vehicle!

 

Thanks!

 

wow! that thing is beautiful. would love to see it at DGRR this up coming year. probably guaranteed to win a prize if put in the show.

 

Hello, is the rebuild carb still working great?
I will research in Largo Florida
To see to rebuild mine...
Let me know, thanks 👍

​​​​​​QUOTE=jjh12074;12544075]I shipped it to GuaranteedCarburetor in Largo Florida. They told me that it was completely re-manufactured whatever that means. The automotive shop that put it on said it looked brand new now.[/QUOTE]

 

[/QUOTE]

yes, the new carburetor is working great. It runs like it did when it was brand new.