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It's alive!!!!!!!!!

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Old 06-17-17, 01:41 PM
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It's alive!!!!!!!!!

After over six years my April 1978 spark yellow GS Rx7 started right up with a little choke and a bit of smoke. Hoping the smoke is from the liberal use of Vaseline as engine assembly lube.

Now all I need to do is: Finish the brakes, Install the front bumper, rear hatch, windshield, wipers, padding, carpeting, console, seats, dead pedal. Grease every zerk, align the front end, paint wheels, find good tires. And, most importantly figure out the issue with the back axle.

Yahooo!
Old 06-17-17, 02:03 PM
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Good news! Bet that felt good to hear your rebuild come to life. One less thing on the list...
Old 06-17-17, 03:51 PM
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Excellent.
Old 06-17-17, 04:42 PM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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Congrats Herb! Can not wait to see the finished car.
Old 06-18-17, 12:21 PM
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congrats!
Old 06-24-17, 07:37 PM
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Well done, sir!
Old 06-26-17, 03:22 PM
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Spoke Too Soon

Well, after starting it for the first time I am unable to repeat the results. Cranks over fine and seems to almost catch but not quite. Moved the timing forward and back a bit. Fuel pump seems to be working OK. Noticed some gas is appearing in the little plastic tray under the carb.

Looking for ideas. I'm at a loss.

Herb
Old 06-26-17, 11:44 PM
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Damn, it did start!

 
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utmost congratulations !
Old 06-27-17, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by OCDHerb
Well, after starting it for the first time I am unable to repeat the results. Cranks over fine and seems to almost catch but not quite. Moved the timing forward and back a bit. Fuel pump seems to be working OK. Noticed some gas is appearing in the little plastic tray under the carb.

Looking for ideas. I'm at a loss.

Herb

Mix fire with fuel and oxygen and you get combustion. Normally you check for spark and fuel first. Find out which one you lack and start focusing on that.
Old 06-27-17, 08:07 AM
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Waffles - hmmm good

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Did you rebuild that carb? Did you keep the old needles and seats? Is the vent solenoid working?

Sounds like you have a flooded rotary to me. Try the deflood procedure and/or new plugs as well and
see how it goes. If it ran once it will again.
Old 06-28-17, 10:37 PM
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Smoking and backfiring.

Got the 79 running after following the flood protocol. Unfortunately, it's smoking even after running for 10 - 15 minutes. Also running rough and very rich. How long should it take to stop smoking from the ATF and the Vaseline? Ideas on why it's running so rich?

Herb
Old 06-28-17, 10:52 PM
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Damn, it did start!

 
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I have seen smoke last quite a while. Especially if you can't drive it yet.
Old 06-29-17, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Richard Miller
I have seen smoke last quite a while. Especially if you can't drive it yet.
How do I know if my rebuild went bad? The guy who did it (me) never rebuilt a rotary before.

Herb
Old 06-29-17, 04:22 PM
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I have not rebuilt before either, but as I understand it. There will be a seating in period. especially if you were using used housings and irons. I shall assume that you used new head seals and used Irons and housings.

Would anyone with real experience with fresh rebuilds chime in?
Old 06-29-17, 04:42 PM
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What to expect after the rebuild.

Started this thread in the general rotary forum. Hopefully we can get some knowledge shared. I am planning on rebuilding here in the next year also.

https://www.rx7club.com/general-rota.../#post12195843
Old 07-01-17, 04:50 AM
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Couple of basic things Herb:
-check rad for an oil skim that would indicate failure to seal coolant from combustion
-is it easy to start at least? engines with coolant/seal failures are usually pretty hard to start
-is the exhaust oil-based, or coolant-based? The smell of coolant from exhaust is distinctive. And you usually get a finger-swab of coolant/liquid at the tailpipe.
-compression up to snuff? Mazda dealer can run a compression test. That will tell you a lot.

I rebuilt mine last year. And am doing the install now. Fingers crossed!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Old 07-06-17, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by 7aull
Couple of basic things Herb:
-check rad for an oil skim that would indicate failure to seal coolant from combustion
-is it easy to start at least? engines with coolant/seal failures are usually pretty hard to start
-is the exhaust oil-based, or coolant-based? The smell of coolant from exhaust is distinctive. And you usually get a finger-swab of coolant/liquid at the tailpipe.
-compression up to snuff? Mazda dealer can run a compression test. That will tell you a lot.

I rebuilt mine last year. And am doing the install now. Fingers crossed!

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
It is tough to start but I think it's because it is running so rich that it floods and fouls the plugs. Once I remove the bottom plugs and clear it out it starts OK. Exhaust must be oil based. No ethylene glycol smell. New muffler has some black soot on it. Still need to check the rad for telltale "chocolate milk".
Old 07-06-17, 06:13 PM
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Happy Rotoring!

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Good pictures of the conditions you describe might make it easier for long distance mechanics to diagnose and offer advice.
Old 07-08-17, 04:06 AM
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Bit off topic Herb, but here is a GREAT guide on engine break-in (once you solve start/run problem) by Rob Golden of Pineappleraceing.com in OR...

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
12A Break in Procedure.pdf (956.1 KB, 233 views)
Old 07-08-17, 05:44 AM
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Have RX-7, will restore


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How much smoke are we talking?? I think you should give it some time. I've done MMO treatments that will cause the engine to smoke for some time. Run it for a bit and see if the smoke thins out at all.
Old 04-27-18, 10:06 AM
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Did the smoke clear?
If so, how long did it take?




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