aray7654

Hi, I've recently found an FB rx7 (don't know year yet) sitting on the property of a family friend. No real info yet, I'm going to check out the car today, but it'll most likely be given to me. That being said, would this car be worth my time? It's been sitting for years under some kind of bamboo the owner planted nearby that spread and grew all around the car protecting it from some weather. I'm mostly worried about the engine, I'm certain it will need a rebuild. If there's too much rust I won't even bother, it's in Ohio. Will this car even be worth my time? Thanks

heb

Body design - in my opinion is not nearly as clean and pleasing as the 90/91. Engine is a replace due to special tools for rebuild are not feasible.
Go for a 90-91 model. I just had my 90 repainted with new interior and new top. Looks fantastic.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

how much is your time worth? its certainly worth a look, and if its free, you could certainly re-sell for a few hundred. you could probably make about $50/hour for about 4-5 hours of work.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

WTF! Your advice sucks and this is the 1st gen section.

OP its worth whatever time you feel like spending. If its a rust bucket and you get it for free you can make some money just scrapping it or make more parting it out. If you give us pics we can help you decide.

aray7654

Problem is that the guy thinks I will fix it if he gives it to me, therefore if I can't and I sell it, it'd be kind of a slap in the face to him. As far as time, I have tons of time to work on it, and I am very mechanically inclined. I'll check it out and make sure it's structurally sound before I talk to him about it. My plan is to get it running then supercharge and cage it to make sort of a drift missile as it's not worth restoring to new, just something I can enjoy. I'm new to the rotary engine though but as far as I've researched they're fairly simple. Are there specific things (besides rust) that I should look for? I don't want to have too much money wrapped up into the car since the supercharger will cost a pretty penny

aray7654

Also I'll get pics as soon as I can, might be a couple days though, plans have changed just a little

Richard Miller

Any car restoration can take years, so if the dude expects you to take the barn find and make it road worthy quickly... You should take caution. Also, parts have become a bitch to find. If I understand the situation, you have never driven an old RX7. It can be a very fun car to drive but the steering can be off putting to the modern driver. Good rubber on the stock tires are hard to come by. You can get cheap tires and end up with less grip. Replacement trim parts are now down to praying to the eBay gods. Awe will wash over you as the mustang guys gush over all the parts they have available to them. Rotary parts for rebuilds are drying up, but if you consider a v8 swap you will be ostracized by the disciples of the wankel.

If you are up to the challenge, my god...it can be rewarding. The rx7 community is a wonderful group. The heritage of the brand brings positive reputation. The mystique of the rotary is legendary. You can have a dead stock car, and people will think it does 12 second quarters and has no redline.

I would take if these were in place:
clear title
complete car in one piece
you have the means to work on it
you have family / significant other support

i rattled on long enough...

Good luck!

1BADRX7

You can't beat free! Take it and see if you can do the bare minimum to get it running good, almost like an "outlaw" so to speak. Just don't put a v8

aray7654

Yeah first thing I'd do is buy new tires and rims (after it runs). And no, I'll never v8 swap. That defeats the purpose of buying an rx7 lol. Plan is fixing only what NEEDS fixing. Probably won't have radio, a/c, etc. just something to have fun in. Like I said, I'll check it out as soon as I can and get pics. I have a garage to build it in and ample time so that's not an issue. I've wanted a rotary car ever since I got passed by an fd on the four lane and heard that sound. I just hope it isn't locked up (probably is) and worst case scenario I'll probably have to pull the engine and do a full rebuild. Not that big of a deal. After I drive it for a while (if I get to that point) then I'd buy stuff like coilovers etc.

aray7654

GSLSEforme

That there is about as good a find as you can get,lo miles,complete car,looks original,lots of potential. Dare say some here would be drooling over that... give that car the respect it deserves.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

For a free car, its worth cleaning up and seeing what it looks like. Although you say no rust, the rusty oil filter and other things in that engine bay means that there is rust, it will just depend on where and how bad. It may just be surface stuff on some of the exposed parts which would be great. Love to see interior pics. The stripes and molding are not factory from what I can see but the paint might come back with a good cleaning and buffing.

old_skool

Looks all there and no cancer? Ive had rougher looking ones running in a matter of hours.

old_skool

are you high, or just an idiot? Rebuild not feasible? I rebuilt quite a few with tools from harbor freight, you really dont need anything super special. My opinion is the FC looks like a generic ford probe, so looks are personal preferance. But in no way does this car require an engine replacement.

Vinny1985

good looking car you got there keep us posted

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Car looks like it can be saved. Where in Ohio are you located? Maybe if we're close I can swing by and go over the car with you.

aray7654

So what am I going to have to do to get it running? I'm assuming clean the carb out, change oil, plugs, clean air filter, but I'm sure it's locked up, (how can it not be after sitting for 29 years) does the ATF method work fairly well? Also, what are the odds that I will have to rebuild it? I'm wanting to do a streetport build but I'm only going to if I HAVE to pull the engine.

Also I noticed the clutch would not push in at all, I'm assuming it's hydraulic, will it need a cylinder rebuilt?

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

I'm sure that gas tank is toast by now along with all rubber fuel lines.

I bet that car has a lot of rust under the car because it's been sitting outside on grass/dirt. Check the bin rust also.

aray7654

I brought a jack and looked up under the car, it's coated all underneath, all solid. Even though the tires are flat, it was about 2 inches off the ground. And yes, I'd say the tank and lines are toast

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

First see if the engine will turn over by hand. Use a 19mm socket on the front eccentric shaft nut and put a bit of oil in each plug hole. Don't use ATF, its not good for the seals. If it doesn't turn easily rock it back and forth to see if you can free it up. If you get it to freely spin then proceed with cleaning the tank, refurbing lines and a carb rebuild. Do some research on here for rebuilding carbs, all the answers are already here.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

Make any progress on getting the car home?

1BADRX7

Looks like a good project.