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Hello Club members! Back in the mid-90's I owned a beautiful 1985 GSL in Sunrise Red. I have had many cars before and since, but that was the most fun vehicle I've owned. This includes muscle cars/trucks, motorcycles and two turbo Subarus (WRX and current FXT). Nothing as fun as that RX.
Well I've been looking for another FB since this past spring, and on Friday Oct 5th, my birthday, I bought a nice '85 GS in Tender Blue Metallic. All original, low miles, supposedly driven fairly regularly. The only things I didn't like about my red GSL were the sunroof and the silly stereo joystick for balance/fade. I'm 6'2" and my hair rubbed the roof, so that extra 1/2 - 3/4" are appreciated, plus the fabric seats seem to sit a little lower. Less stuffing I think, but still comfy. The luxury radio with 80's equalizer and joystick got bumped all the time by my girlfiend's coat or purse, so I'm thankful this GS doesn't have any of that. Just simple, clean light sports car. I don't like saying things like "it's a pure sports car", but it's true and that's what I've always liked about the FB's. All the RX-7's of course, but the FB's are my favorite. SA's for the same reason but I prefer the blended bumpers on the FB's.
The only changes I'm looking to make are I'd like to swap in a GSL rear for the LSD and Discs. After all the money and tuner costs associated with my Subies, it will be great to get back to simple lightweight NA performance. I look forward to picking up tips and info here, and getting to know the regulars.
Nice! My first car was a silver 1985 GS with a red cloth interior. I swapped in a GSL rear axle with disc brakes and it made the car so much more enjoyable to drive.
Happy belated birthday, indeed. Sounds like a beauty! That's my all-time favorite OEM color. And yes, nothing beats the feeling of a Gen 1 - no other car feels like it. I look forward to seeing some photos when you get a chance to post some.
@mazdaverx713b @marksae @diabolical1 , sorry for the wait. So I bought the FB on October 5th, and once the payment cleared (Cashier's Check) I had an Auto Transport company set to bring it from Providence RI to Philadelphia PA. But they didn't show up. I called daily and they just couldn't confirm a driver or time for the transport, even though they had previously confirmed the date and taken my payment info. Major hassle. Lemme just say, if you are going to ship a car cross state or country, don't use the company that sounds like "Road Bummer" Auto Transport (Beep Beep!). I should have read more reviews before booking with them, because everyone has the same experience.
But the GOOD NEWS is that my 8yo son and I flew up to RI yesterday and picked the car up in person. Drove it back last night, and now I can post some fresh pics (taken yesterday / last night).
The Good - 55k original miles. All original. 5 spd. Body fairly decent; no rust or serious damage (many small dings - assume it got bumped alot in the garage). Interior in overall good condition; no damage, rips, dirt, fading or cracking in the cockpit. Original spare and tools. Everything works except the radio (can't tune it - stuck on one AM station).
The Bad - Engine idles rough around 300rpm and stalls if you let off the gas (at a stop). Not much power (for a 12A). Steering has large loose dead-spot in middle; not as noticeable on windy roads but very noticeable on the 6 hour freeway drive.
The Immediate Plan - Run some carb cleaner through it this morning and see if the carb is just gummed up (poor idle and lack of power). Inspect vacuum lines - they all seem to be hooked up, but will look for cracks / leaks. Change oil and tranny fluid. Inspect and (if needed) replace idler arms, pitman, tie rod ends. Whatever is causing the slop. Note- when my boy turned the steering wheel back and forth while I watched under the hood, the steering linkage /idler arms moved side to side about 3/4" before the road wheels started to move. I'll get under it and see what all is loose.
Wanna see under the hood? It's pretty clean overall, and looks all original except the plug wires. Oil and coolant were full when I picked it up, and it started right up from ice-cold. Just idles low and rough once the choke kicks off. Additionally, by the end of the 300 mile trip and a tank of fresh 91oct through it it ran better than when I first started off in RI. Must've blown the cob webs out of it.
I should have read more reviews before booking with them, because everyone has the same experience.
Sometimes it doesn't matter how mature or diligent we are, we are still susceptible to making mistakes. Think of it this way, this time you could have made one, but the cosmos did not allow it. My parents moved from NY to FL back in 2000, some of their stuff (whole boxes) are still out there ... somewhere. That could have been your beautiful car. And ...
But the GOOD NEWS is that my 8yo son and I flew up to RI yesterday and picked the car up in person. Drove it back last night, and now I can post some fresh pics (taken yesterday / last night).
... this! You got to share an experience with your son that I'm willing to bet he will remember and perhaps someday share, anecdotally with his own kids. I certainly have vivid memories of trips I took with my Dad as a child and now that I have my own children, I find myself trying to create similar moments with mine.
You won, man! Screw the "Wile. E. Coyote-cheater" people!
The Good - 55k original miles. All original. 5 spd. Body fairly decent; no rust or serious damage (many small dings - assume it got bumped alot in the garage). Interior in overall good condition; no damage, rips, dirt, fading or cracking in the cockpit. Original spare and tools. Everything works except the radio (can't tune it - stuck on one AM station).
All I can say is the car is GORGEOUS! Super clean! Forgive me for gushing a bit, as I said, this is my favorite OEM-colored FB. Radio is up to you, whether you want to replace with a modern unit, or repair the original. Actually several weeks ago, I was watching one of those Sunday morning car programs and they mentioned a company that build modern radios to look like old-school radios - so basically, you will have the whole gamut of modern tech in a period-correct casing. I got the feeling they catered mostly to American classics, moreso than foreign, but depending on what you want to do about your situation, I thought it was worth mentioning.
The Bad - Engine idles rough around 300rpm and stalls if you let off the gas (at a stop). Not much power (for a 12A). Steering has large loose dead-spot in middle; not as noticeable on windy roads but very noticeable on the 6 hour freeway drive.
The Immediate Plan - Run some carb cleaner through it this morning and see if the carb is just gummed up (poor idle and lack of power). Inspect vacuum lines - they all seem to be hooked up, but will look for cracks / leaks. Change oil and tranny fluid. Inspect and (if needed) replace idler arms, pitman, tie rod ends. Whatever is causing the slop. Note- when my boy turned the steering wheel back and forth while I watched under the hood, the steering linkage /idler arms moved side to side about 3/4" before the road wheels started to move. I'll get under it and see what all is loose.
I think you hit the nail on the head with the vacuum lines. My thought is it will likely take care of your idling issue. For power, I would suggest checking to see if the secondaries are opening. The rod may have slid off the perch.
Definitely show some thorough love to the front end. Bushing, wear items, lube and finish off with a proper alignment.
I saw this post and thought it was pretty cool. I just did the same thing! My birthday was 10/6 and I bought myself an 85 GS 5spd on the 7th . No rust in the places that matter, everything in excellent shape. Motor runs great and it's the exact same color and everything, lol.
@diabolical1 When you mention the Secondary Rod sliding off the perch, would that be this guy pictured below? It pulls up enough to mount on the saddle-shaped linkage (perch?) but doesn't want to twist the right way. I didn't want to force it without finding out what it was.
@diabolical1 The beast has awoken! Well, it's still a small sloppy beast, but it HAS Awoken! Boy, I sure wish I had noticed and fixed that before driving home 300 miles! I was flooring it to keep up at 70 mph the whole time, never knowing my secondaries were closed. Boo !!! I've been out all night driving around, and it's the most fun I've ever had doing 45mph! Ha.
That's one sharp looking 85 Tender Blue S!!! Glad you were able to get a few things sorted out and its nice to see that you're enjoying the car! Having your son involved in getting this car and working on it will create lifelong memories for the both of you. I always include my boys when it comes to picking a car up or working on our cars. Its a great experience for all three of us. Can't wait to see more pictures of the car!
Change.the.fuel.filter. FRAM G2 (in my 1980 12A, expect same for yours)
might help idle, but should be replaced yearly. Behind driver rear wheel, in front of fuel tank.
Welcome!
Love. But being a Tender Blue owner with same interior for 20 years, I am a bit biased. Paint, interior and engine bay all look to be in excellent condition and well looked after.
Well I performed the compression check today and I have 90psi on each rotor housing, and it seems to build up in nice even pulses. RB says normal compression is 110-150, and 75 is the minimum acceptable. My Brother in Law has been driving, building and drag racing rotaries for 20 years, and feels 70psi is the point where it gets hard to start, and says his engines all spin at 90 - 100 psi. But his are all currently turbo, so maybe he just doesn't remember proper psi for a NA. I don't know, but it feels pretty weak.
I have inspection in 3 weeks (*when I get my title and registration) and want to have it running well and steering tight before then. I have new Idler and Pitman arms on the bench, and Tie Rod Ends on the way. I know the Idler is the usual suspect, but just thought I'd replace it all to know I'm starting fresh. I have new silicone vacuum line and a fuel filter, and a Nikki rebuild kit on the way. So by next weekend I should have a good (stock) fuel system and better steering. Then it'll be a driver.
*I bought the car in Rhode Island, where they don't issue paper titles for cars older than 2000. Well here in PA you need a paper title to transfer ownership or register a car, sooo... It takes a month to get the new title, and then you can register, insure, inspect and legally drive the car. So I'm not driving it. Well, not legally
Also, I have a brand new set of 15x7 ROTA RB's with 205/50-R15 Kumho Ecsta PA31 tires, zero miles. I decided to build in a different direction and will be posting these in the for sale section soon. Hit me up if interested.
Alright, well I haven't been neglecting the FB. When I bought the car in October my garage had semi-finished walls (basic drywall and insulation) but no heat, minimal lights, and no organization. I spent a couple weeks insulating, drywall -ing, lighting and cleaning (sorta) my garage for the FB, and now it is in there. This RX-7 is the first car to live in this garage in 6 years of home-ownership. Whoop Whoop!!
After fixing up the garage a little, I removed the Rat's Nest, Air pump, ACV and emissions equipment. I am all for a clean environment and happy penguins, but for a 2000 mile per year classic car, I'm willing to make an exception. I just bought a used RB Holly 465 and Intake, and a 6psi Mallory 70 series pump. Looking for a used RB full exhaust to make it all work right.
10-07-18, 10:22 AM
