1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

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Old Oct 22, 2020 | 10:52 AM
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Here we go!

So, kind of a long story. One of my employees had a 1980 rx 7 that I've heard her go on about for the better part of twenty years. She "sold" it to her dad years ago who supposedly had the engine rebuilt, but it's been sitting for seven years. Her dad recently passed, and she needs to now get rid of a mouse infested, rusting, probably too far gone little beauty. I'm no mechanic, but I love cars and I'm not afraid to get into projects of any kind. I've got the garage space, a storage lift, and plenty of tools. She's begging me to take this and try to get it back on the road, mostly for nostalgic reasons. I've been looking for a fun little car to teach my kids to drive a manual transmission on, and for some reason I always need a project. She loves the idea of my kids riding around in this car. Thinking this might not be worth while. But, I told her I'd take a look at it tomorrow and likely drag it away on a trailer with the condition that she wouldn't be upset if I gave up on it. They need it gone, and I need a project. Either going to be a match made in heaven or hell. Guess time will tell. Headed up to "look at it" tomorrow.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.



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Old Oct 22, 2020 | 11:04 AM
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Good luck, i hope it works out for you. Doing projects with your kids is the best, i still remember doing all the projects with my dad when i was younger.
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Old Oct 22, 2020 | 11:08 AM
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These cars are kind of tinker-toy simple to work on. Don't know any history or why it was taken off the road, but if the engine turns over by hand there's a good chance that after cleaning out the carb and fuel system and getting some fresh oil in there, you can get it running fairly simply. To get it back on the road may take a little more depending on any electrical system problems, brake work, clutch ect....Rust is probably your biggest enemy, the cost to fix a badly rusted out car can quickly put you upside down value wise.

79 and 80 cars are known as "SA's" (Vin begins with SA22C) The 80 model year has a few one year only parts. If you decide you don't want to make the investment to get it back on the road, I'm sure you would find a substantial interest in parting the car out. Post up some pics of the car after you go see it.
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Old Oct 22, 2020 | 11:09 AM
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Looking forward to hearing about this. Everyone loves a good "find".
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Old Oct 22, 2020 | 04:59 PM
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acdelco d1906 Nkg 49034
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Tooth, so she is just giving it to you? Maybe she'll want it back if you get it running. I heard that Automatic Trans Fluid is good for breaking loose seized rotors.

Massachusetts huh? Do they still salt the roads like crazy there?
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Old Oct 22, 2020 | 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by midnight mechanic
Tooth, so she is just giving it to you? Maybe she'll want it back if you get it running. I heard that Automatic Trans Fluid is good for breaking loose seized rotors.

Massachusetts huh? Do they still salt the roads like crazy there?

They just want it gone. She’s worked for me for about twenty years, and my staff is like family. Car is in Maine, so yeah it’s going to be a rust bucket.
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Old Oct 22, 2020 | 08:17 PM
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I'd take it in a heartbeat! If it's not salvageable, part it out. Always worth trying to save a SA!
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Old Oct 23, 2020 | 04:16 AM
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if you do determine its not salvageable PM me . There are lots of parts of a SA I'm looking for!
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Old Oct 23, 2020 | 05:39 AM
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acdelco d1906 Nkg 49034
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It took me from halloween to thanksgiving to do an engine swap. Partly because I had to wait for parts, and because of the weather. I fondly reminisce about the project SIXTEEN YEARS later. Only wish I took lots of pictures.

My rx-7 is now 37 years old. That's like driving a 1968 vw bug in 2005 but somehow it is not the same.

If you get that FA back on the road, it will really be something.
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Old Oct 23, 2020 | 08:43 AM
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Car is too far gone for what I’m willing to put into it. It’s in really tough shape. But, if anyone wants it, it’s in Maine and they need it gone. No time to part out, so you’d need to take the car.
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Old Oct 23, 2020 | 05:16 PM
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acdelco d1906 Nkg 49034
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uh, I made a 300 mile round trip, and dropped $100 on a driver's door.

check out what rear lights assemblies are going for.

door handles are popular. windshield wiper assemblies are popular.

the part I waited for was the water pump housing. the original cracked where the bolt goes in. I waited 10 days and dropped maybe $50 including shipping.
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Old Oct 23, 2020 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by midnight mechanic
uh, I made a 300 mile round trip, and dropped $100 on a driver's door.

check out what rear lights assemblies are going for.

door handles are popular. windshield wiper assemblies are popular.

the part I waited for was the water pump housing. the original cracked where the bolt goes in. I waited 10 days and dropped maybe $50 including shipping.
Tooth's really passing up on a golden goose.. Parting out doesn't take much time at all.. You can take the exterior parts off in under an hour .. **** i think i could disassemble the entire car in about a day
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Old Oct 24, 2020 | 06:26 AM
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Not about the $$, just the time. If anyone has interest let me know. But you’d need to take the car.
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Old Oct 27, 2020 | 05:45 AM
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Wish it were closer. I'd love to come and get it. I've restored some pretty rusty cars over the years. Ohio is in a snow belt and they liberally spread salt on the roads every year. Just destroys the cars.
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