Who da thunk that I could dig out the tach-tester and timing light I brought in 1974 to work on my 74 RX3, would still work.

I adjusted the idle speed and mixture and the idle smoothed right out.
Timing was maybe 2 degrees off.

I did notice an oil drop afterward so its sitting over newspaper for the night. The left side of the oil pan may be seeping.

 

Almost there, sir! Congrats!

 

Waiting on the radiator.
All things considered, minor issue.

When I inherited the car (Dad was original owner) the oil pressure would drop to near 0 on the dash gauge at idle. Now it holds at the mark between 0 and 60 at idle. Either it was a bad electrical connection or I should have rebuilt the engine years ago. I suspect the latter.

 

Good work! They don't make tools like that anymore.

 

And from this day forward you will experience a little moment of special satisfaction every time you hit the starter and it comes to life. Not something that a lot of people get to experience. Welcome to the club.

 

its amazing what a difference all the little tune up things make.

 

You're the Man Tim. Congratulations on a job well done.

 

Not quite there.
Last week I saw, no illusion, coolant dripping from the bottom of radiator.
Last night, no coolant, but now it appears to be oil.

Tonight I'm cutting up sections of white towels and securing them to all the likely suspects. Run it for 15-20 minutes and go from there.

I don't believe a radiator repairs itself, and the coolant system is critical. No long term road driving till the new radiator is in.


Yes, it is truly my car now. Open heart surgery does make a strong connection.

 

Rads don't normally repair themselves (at least not for long) but I have seen rad hose connections that weeped a little until they settled in. particularly with old-school black rubber rad lines.

I've also seen new water pumps that drooled a bit out the weep hole until the bushings took a set.

 

Its the radiator.

Starting about 3" left of the lower hose, going about 5" inches to the left on the very bottom, it leaked drops, but lots of drops.

I can't tell if there is an oil leak, I found none tonight. But the coolant seemed to be picked up by the fan as it dripped and then blown around.

Old radiator comes out tomorrow.
New one goes in Thursday.
At least that's the plan.

 

^That's cool. Speaking of cooling system stuff (oil and coolant), I installed a beehive today. That was fun.

 

yes. yes it is. congratulations, man, you worked hard enough for these moments. you deserve it.

 

A year ago if I saw the radiator leaking like it was last night I would have thrown my hands up and said "Now what do I do?" Tonight I drain the coolant and pull the old one out. No big deal.

I do want everyone to know that I could not have gotten as far as I did without this place and everyone jumping in to help answer my questions. I do thank you.

 

Your welcome! The more you do the easier it gets.

 

Always happy to help. Congrats, because 'today you are a rotorhead!'

 

Very cool Tim, congrats on the rebuild. That's one chasm that I've never tried to jump, yet.

 

I have pics of the new radiator at home. I'll get those up tonight.

I get it now.
After I installed the new radiator in (it took some modifications to fit), filled it up, verified everything was connected, started, checked for leaks, and it was 11:15 pm.

But I could not let it just sit in the driveway running.

So I drove around the block, then the other way around, then figure-8's through the very quite neighborhood.
It was a warm night, windows open, listening to the engine.

There is nothing like the sound of a rotary.
Said to my self, "Damn I've missed you." After 1/2 hour, put her to bed.

 

You are an inspiration Tim.

 

This is a great thread. Rebuilding the engine for a particular car does indeed impart a bit of sentimental value on the vehicle. Every time I fire up my 79 I cant get over how well it runs and I make my living as a diesel mechanic! If the car was in the family prior to the rebuild I bet it only adds to the effect. Good luck with it Tim. We are rooting for you.