Just bought a 1980 RX-7. It's been sitting for about 14yrs. I'm not new to a rotary, I used to have a 2004 tit gray rx8. I'm not a novice mechanic either. Plan on hauling it home unless the engine spins free, then I may try to drive. I live 2 miles from it. Looks good other than it has some rust on lower rockers and missing a mirror. Any advice or warnings are appreciated.

Has 15k on new motor before sitting. Thinking I'd doing a synthetic oil with a little premix after I get it going.

20w-50 seems heavy considering my 8 took 5w-20...

Prob do synthetic in rear end and tranny as well.

 

That sure look like a 1980 Anniversary Edition.

 

Not sure. A friend of mine has had it since new. I have all the paperwork with it. Maybe it will say. How do you tell? Interior is black vinyl.

 

It should say in the paperwork. Especially if he has the dealership papers still. I'm just wondering if that is brilliant or beat black(paint code should be under the hood). Either way beautiful 7 wish I could be as lucky.

 

Congrats!
NICE looking SA!
Door mirrors and color suggest stock 80 GS


Starting/running:
would highly recommend you tow/trailer home and resist temptation to just fire her up. Without knowing storage conditions you risk things like carbon-lock damage spinning it up, pumping bad fuel into the carb and gumming up something, etc etc.
I would take your time, go thru the car,
-dump fuel (will need to siphon as no drain),
-run a can of seafoam into the tank with fresh gas, add a bit of oil into the carb secondaries into the engine and dry spin (no spark) to be sure there is lots of lube.
-And/or some seafoam into the engine and dry spin, let sit a day or 2 for seafoam to dissolve carbon, sticky apex seals release
-drain mungy old coolant out and flush the rad (rad shop chem-dunk recommended), new coolant
-fuel filter
-oil and filter.

for starters
Then you will need to do some rust detailing/mitigation as well, am guessing. Check under rear hatch seal, under sunroof seal. Make sure hatch and roof drains are clear...
Keep us posted...

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

There were 2 special model Rx-7's in 1980. The 10A/E (10th Anniversary Edition) and the LS (Leather Sport). The 10 A/E cars were all Renaissance Red body color, with special cloth seats and a unique B pillar badge. The LS cars came in one of three exterior colors (including Brilliant Black) all with the same brown leather interior and gold colored waffles Both the 10 A/E and LS cars came with power mirrors. I believe Stu is correct. They also offered Brilliant Black in 1980 on regular models, although you don't see the color very often. The mirrors, black interior and aluminum wheels suggest this is a GS model in Brilliant Black. Looks like a very nice survivor. Post more pics when you can.

 

Most has been covered above. The engine does take 20W50 engine oil however. There are many reasons that the 8 took the lighter 5w20 oil.

I have to say that the car would be amazing to restore and I think you will have a lot of fun restoring it!

 

Thanks guys. Im really excited to get it going. I'm having trouble sourcing parts. I know everyone says to read the sticky and stuff but a lot of the sites are no more.

I need to find some mirrors and rockers on both sides. My dash center is cracked too. Broke horizontally across below the radio. Obviously its getting fluids and weather stripping. Probably install some led lights in it.

 

nice looking dash pad on ebay today. Pretty rare. Fair price.

Mazdatrix has been a great source of new OE mechanical, rubber bits for me. Fair price, prob cheaper than your dealer. Plenty of non-OE stuff on ebay, quality varies. Be aware some SA-only bits are getting rarer, or -sadly- NLA. Like taillight gaskets. dammit...
Mirrors: post a WANT ad in Parts For Sale Forum, 1st Gen.

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

Thanks.

My dash is pretty good. Have a couple of louvres in my ac vents that need replacing. How helpful would mazda be on some of these parts? I'm assuming none whatsoever?

 

If it is a "trim" item, safe to say virtually all is Unobtainium now. No harm in asking Mazda, but expect the worst. Nature of old Japanese cars (except, annoyingly: 240Zs?). Easy piece to source off For Sale Forum tho. Make an Ask.

Dash cap needs to come off to replace the vents. Ugh. But glad the cap is in good shape!!

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

Congrats! This thing is gorgeous especially for sitting for so long. Can't wait to see more of it on the forums!

 

Nice looking car, congratulations. They are great cars and you just don't see them on the road that often, so enjoy. As far as parts the for sale section here and then ebay have been a great source for me.