ShermanTanker

Other than my new members intro I was going to just say hey to everyone. My name is Aaron and I just went and bought my first RX7 tonight. Due to the nasty weather and bad roads I won't be bringing it home for a few days. Any way I always wanted a car from 1984(year I was born) and I happened to find this one on craigslist a few months ago. I picked it up for $800.00 I figured it was a good deal...I know nothing of rotaries so I may have screwed myself. He said the fuel control computer??...is bad and its not getting fuel. He has all the receipts for the engine rebuild though.

Details

1984 GSL-SE
Tender blue (paint is shot..sun baked)
Beautiful grey and black interior (almost perfect)
back seat...seems unique
rebuilt 13b

I will be starting a build thread when I get 10 posts...and start building and cleaning it up. Being a total rx7 idiot/newbie did i get taken on this deal or does it seem like an ok purchase? Either way I'm happy with it.

Aaron

dougingraham

Grats! I almost bought this car a couple of weeks ago and was planning on looking it over again and making an offer myself this weekend. I only delayed because I already have two FB's and need another project like I need a hole in the head.

I don't think you got taken. From a rust standpoint it is very clean! Just need to get it running and some paint on it and you should have a good car. I didn't see any evidence of crash damage either. It has two options that are pretty rare. The +2 seating and it has power steering.

What is your goal for the car? PM me if you want to talk 7's. There are not too many left in town.

Doug

ShermanTanker

The goal would be to get the engine running and see how I like the rotary. I'm very intimidated by the whole engine...I've never ever worked on one before. I guess after its up and running I would like about 200hp from it, suspension and new paint. Something I can autocross and drive back and forth to work when its nice out. I hate to mention it but if I can't master the rotaries black magic I would consider a 5.0 swap.

Aaron

Cookboy

iTrader: (10)

I'm an idiot/newbie on my 4th going back to 1988. The rotary is not mystical, it either works or it doesn't, near as I can tell. It's the ignition and intake that requires occasional fiddling. And all the info you'll ever need is right here.

DreamInRotary

iTrader: (49)

As accurate of a description of this forum as I've ever seen.

I came in as fresh as you to the Rotary Engine and it is somewhat intimidating at first. Just Google search your questions and I'm sure they'll relate you back here to this forum.

Rot005

You are not going to master the rotary right away, it takes some time and depends on your mechanical skills. But before you think about swapping a V-8 do a lot of reading and research, there's some rotaries making close to 1000bhp and running 6.5secs 1/4 mile (racing). Don't be intimidated just put your mine into it you'll liked. You just bought the 1st Rx-7 13b fuel injection engine by mazda in the GSL-SE, you'll see the differents set-ups you can do with the 13b. Happy research and do your homework!

earthtone7se

They are a bit quirky in comparison to traditional piston engines, but once you get those down, the day to day use and maintenance is just like a piston engine: induction, fuel, spark, cooling, etc. I also have an 84 SE, and it is special in the lineage of RX-7's because it is the first use of fuel injection on a 13B. What makes it even more special is that it was only available in North America. 2 quick tips for when you get it running: Do not start it and shut it off before it is up to temp. The engine will flood. The rotary doesn't un-flood itself by sitting like a piston engine. There is an un-flooding process and it isn't something you want to have to do when you're trying to leave for work. Also, rotary engines use more oil than piston engines regardless of the condition of the seals and whatnot. It's normal. Check the oil at least once weekly and top it off. You run it out of oil once and it can be ruined. Welcome to the family, and good luck with your new gem! :-)

PS: 200hp is easily attained with this engine.

ShermanTanker

Well I stopped by the car yesterday to grab the haynes manual and it turns out that the owner really does not know what the problem is. He originally told me there was no fuel, I talked to his two high school sons who worked on the car with him and it seems they think it is spark/trailing spark. This really piqued my interest so I probed a bit further and it seems they really never looked into it after the car did not start after the rebuild. They found a good deal on an FC convertible and back shelved the 84. I hope it is something simple, if the rebuild went well it should have compression...all that would be left is spark and fuel. The plan is to bring it home tomorrow...good ole Friday the 13th...what could go wrong? Anyway the plan is to check the fuel pump, igniters, and generally the connections of all the wire harness to make sure nothing was missed.

dougingraham

When I talked to him about it I got the impression they really didn't have a clue what the issue was.

If you want help moving it I would be happy to assist. I have towed my GSL-EV twice, once when the motor controller blew up and the other time when I had too much fun and ran out of charge 0.2 miles from home. My GSL-SE I towed once when it flooded out on me. That time it started right up when I got it home.

They are easy to tow as long as the brakes work. I am pretty sure I remember stepping on the brake pedal and finding there was pressure so unless a caliper is stuck should be simple. (Except for maybe getting it out of the field.)

ShermanTanker

Thanks Doug! I got the RX7 home today. On first random inspection I notice a fuel pump help up by bailing wire and jumpered with alligator clamps...HMMMMM. Next!!! I notice the distributor is not secure and easily spun by hand...along with many other electrical connectors not connected I think this may be a project of completing what the previous owner failed to do.

dougingraham

This is exactly the kinds of things I was expecting you to find. Very promising. I have a collection of bolts that came off the GSL when I converted it. You are welcome to pick through if there is something you find is missing. Give me a call when you want to come over and look at my SE to see how something is hooked up. I am hoping the roads dry off enough to take it out for a drive on Sunday. I expect to take the EV for a drive Saturday.

Doug

wahootee

iTrader: (50)

What part of SD are you in? I'm probably not too far away since I'm in Omaha and been working on these cars (especially SE's ) for 30 years, so if you need so help PM me.