dreamingofRX7

Close to buying, need some input. I have gone to see this car twice now.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/car/434924363.html - $3200

He has said he will go as low as $2500 firm, but I didn't take it today. I just got back from my second viewing.

Positives:
-Interior is the best part of the car. Very perfect, cleanest I've seen. Seats have no rips.
-Engine has really good oil pressure, about 40psi idle, over 60psi when driving.
-Clutch feels good, still lots of throw and firmness.
-Brakes claimed to be new, don't know about that, but they work fine.
-Lots of power, the more you press down on the pedal, you feel increase in acceleration
-GSL-SE model with LSD/13B engine

Negatives:
-Car has about 150k miles on it.
-Drivers seat adjustment lever is broke off, can't really adjust the seat.
-Roof seems low, probably just me. My hair hits it.
-Pieces of weatherstrip missing above the front windsheild.
-Oil leak somewhere under the oil filter location.
-One piece of side molding near rear is bowed out
-Gears very slightly grind, but not much if I'm careful

My questions:
-Are there any common oil leaks that occur somewhere around the oil filter area? If it was as simple as the oil pressure switch I'm sure he would have already replaced it.
-Is there any weatherstripping available for these cars anymore?

I only have pics of the interior besides the ad:

pinoyremix

I don't know about the oil cooler but there is weather stripping..:

http://www.rxforyour7.com/RX7%20parts%20int%20ext.htm

Here is a link for your stripping..

pinoyremix

Also, about 60 psi is normal when driving...as long as it fluctuates..your good.. i had an oil leave before and the psi wouldn't drop to much..also..check and see if the engine has been rebuilt..if it hasn't..go lower..because it might need to be rebuilt soon..150K is a lot of wear on the seals..

mar3

iTrader: (8)

Buy it now.

dreamingofRX7

Engine hasn't been rebuilt. Thats why the power surprises me, as well as the oil pressure.

dreamingofRX7

Thanks for the link. I dont see a clear-cut part called a "windsheild seal"?

dreamingofRX7

opps, it has 169k miles as seen in the pic.. I forgot... the engine CAN'T be original then right?? Theres no way it would still have 60psi-70psi oil pressure is there??

dreamingofRX7

I have been reading about the dowel leak for 30 mins.. I just can't take the chance that this motor has that issue. I was a mechanic for 3-4 years and do timing belts and stuff like that, but a rebuilt engine is definitely not in my cards. I do not want to buy something that will have a oil leak getting worse and worse, especially if the engine is original with 170k.

Rotary-MG

iTrader: (1)

Isn't it pretty common for the O-rings under the oil filter to go bad? The should cost u a few pennies at most.

Is the power band smooth? No funny smoke coming from the tail pipe.

Oh, hey thanks for the link, I think I'm going to off the guy $2,700 cash, j/k.

dreamingofRX7

If it were a simple fix he would have already done it is the way I feel.

I already decided I think I'll pass. Anyone can go buy it.

wanklenoob

dude, BUY IT. I can almost promise the small oil leak under your filter is just some busted O rings, I should know, I just replaced them about 2 hours ago in mine he he. Easy fix, kinda a pain to remove some of the hoses but that's it. or take it to ashop have em do it for about $70.

mar3

iTrader: (8)

My 178,000+ 1983 RX7 GSL (carbureted) easily passes 60 psi on wind-up AND has the dowel pin leak AND doesn't smoke at all once warmed up....well, it does smoke from where the leaking oil has wicked its way to the exhaust side of the engine. .

bliffle

Negatives:

-Car has about 150k miles on it.
Not a problem. Bought my SE with 140k and now has 164 and still plenty tight and great power. Just be sure to add 6-8 oz. of MMO to every fillup, for a couple months, then switch to 2-cycle oil.

Enemy of the rotary is overheating so replace the coolant hoses and the clamps. Check the radiator, ask the PO, and check the overnight pressure loss. Ive had to replace all 4 radiators because they started leaking around 100k

-Drivers seat adjustment lever is broke off, can't really adjust the seat.
Go to the pick n pull over on Mowry or Commercial in san jose with a 10 and 12 mm socket for the 4 hold-down bolts. 3 minutes of work.

-Roof seems low, probably just me. My hair hits it.
Join the club!

-Pieces of weatherstrip missing above the front windsheild.
Get ém at that PnP

-Oil leak somewhere under the oil filter location.
O-rings

-One piece of side molding near rear is bowed out
PnP

-Gears very slightly grind, but not much if I'm careful
Refill transmission with Redline MTF. Pick it up in Redwood city while youŕe there at Kohlweiss on Veterans blvd. Pickup the MMO and some neato Royal Purple 2-cycle oil ($12/bottle!) and Redline LSD lube at the same time.

Those seats look great! As good as the ones in my 85GSL. I have cloth seats in my DD 85SE, which I prefer.

Look for a good cloth drivers seat from an 83, theyŕe lower and feel much better. If youŕe lucky youĺl find the red one.

Let me know if you need a glass moonroof, Ive got an extra.

dreamingofRX7

Thanks for all the good info. After reading replies on a few different forums, I think I'll risk the dowel oil leak issue and buy it.

I'll have to check if the oil metering pump works? I have no idea. Wouldnt want to hurt the engine.

I can get the seat mounting frame at the PnP in Hayward.

By weatherstripping i dont mean the metal part. I mean the actual rubber under it. Its just missing in a few places. Concerns me with rain coming.

If I'm lucky the leak is just the o-rings... but if im not.... its the rotor housings..

I guess the first thing i want to do is replace all the water hoses. How hard?

BlackWorksInc

Yeah, go for it.

I like the stereo, very clean...

O.o Hey, where in the Bay Area do you live?

XD maybe I've run into you...

dreamingofRX7

im in san mateo

bliffle

Dowel pin leak doesn't require a rebuild. I've fixed that temporarily just with JB Weld. Clean area with laquer thinner first. Check it every month and renew as necessary. Should last a year or so.

There's now a better product (maybe made by permatex) that is more flexible but just as good a bond. Should work even better.

If you don't want the car I might take a shot at it (like I NEED another 7!!!).

If you want a cherry creampuff I'll sell you my 85GSL.

dreamingofRX7

anyone is welcome to look at it or buy it. I dont own dibbs. I need to see how the next 2-3 days work out regarding my job situation before I spend $2500. Tho I do want it, and I figure its probably the oil pedestal leaking in all likelyhood.

PS, how much would your creampuff go for, and what is is missing that an SE would have? LSD?

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

dreamin/bliffle. Please keep the talk about buying selling between yourselves thru Pm's. Thank you. :-)