ot987

I am going to pick up a 1983 rx-7 limited edition for practically nothing. The catch is that the car has been sitting outside, uncovered, and hasn't moved for 12 years. The paint is warped and the interior is terrible but the engine only has 70,000 miles on it. My question is (assuming the car even turns over) what should be the first thing I put attention towards. For example, should I change out all the fluids before I even start the car. Basically, if you were in my shoes, what would be going through your head. Also, how bad of a problem am I going to have with rust? I am a novice and any help or advice would be appreciated.

OtakuRX

iTrader: (1)

First I would say change fluids, see if it runs. But the big thing you need to do is stop any rust w/ naval jelly or something and put a good enamel on it, the actual body can wait on paint if you have a garage, but you don't want a holy body.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

I was in your shoes last June, found a LE in shitty shape, 104k on it, rotted out, beat to hell. I bought it for $250, had it towed to my house, then tore it apart and used the parts to fix up my other two cars. I've said it before and I'll say it again, 83 Limiteds aren't anything special, the only cool thing about them is the 14" wheels, the rest of it is just a 83 GS. Its up to you, but thats what i did.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

Oh yea, I should clarify, the one i got won't crank, so its not like i destroyed a running car. If your serious about getting yours running, then yes, change all the fluids and ATF it (search for that) then just crank the hell outa it till it fires. Good luck.

Kill No Cone

iTrader: (6)

Wait, before your crank it or turn it at all pour two cups of Marvel Mystery oil down each side of the carb (make sure your open the butterflies). Pull the plugs and spray a whole lot of WD-40 in all the plug holes and let it sit for a two days.

Next, pour one cup of ATF down each side of the carb. Charge the batter and reinstall in. Hand crank the engine for 10 or 20 revolutions. The crank the engine for a couple minutes (with the plugs still out). Spray a bunch more WD-40 in the plug holes and crank again. This will help clear out the AFT.

Clean up the greasy mess and change the oil. Replace the plugs prime the engine with a bit of gas and try starting it. It may not want to start right away and you may need to clean the plugs with carb cleaner a couple of times. When it starts be gentle with it for awhile.

Here is why you want to use this process.
The Marvel Mystery oil and WD-40 will break stuff loose.
The AFT will clean stuff up and break the apex seals loose.
Being gentle will allow any junk or build up to pass before you cause a potential failure.

Some folks will tell you just to start it, or if it is ceased to drag it. This forces the junk that is gunking up the engine to score internal engine pieces, which in the end will trash your engine.

You may have a really great car here, don’t rush it!

Remember not to run a rotary hard before it gets warm

Good luck!

BadAssRX-7

well i bet the gas tank is TRASH go back and drain it... theres a drain plug in the tank 12mm or 14mm then change the fuild filter also put in some new gas and undo the lines @ the carb. see if with the pump on u get fuel. im sure the carb is gumed to hell so you will also need to pour gas down the carb to get it to start... also so the mmo and aft... change the plugs (with them out try to spin the motor) change the oil also then try to start her.... i got my 83l.e for 750$ and loved it.... now its going under the knife for a t2 swap