Just got my first rotary, and wow.
06-18-06, 08:54 PM
#1
Me vs. Japanese Engineer
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Just got my first rotary, and wow.
I promise, I'll get pictures as soon as the camera un-disappears.
Today I found a 1984 Mazda RX-7 GLS for $500, in drive-home condition. Being nearly as old as me, she has some wear and scars. The most troublesome of which is the headlamps. The previous owner had attempted electrical work on them, but got frustrated past disconnecting various plugs from the multifunction switch (and breaking or losing the column/switch cover.
The existing switches are only good for cruise control and wipers. As an electrical specialist student in the automotive field, I thought this would be a cakewalk. Cheap car for maybe an afternoon's worth of rewiring.
My service manual (Chiltons) is no good. It claims to cover RX-7s from '78 to '89. Actually, most of the manual is very interesting... but the wiring diagrams are very misleading and vague. Wires labeled as one color and stripe in the diagram are in fact a completely different color, with horizontal stripes.
I can use a jumper wire to pop my headlamps up and down, and blow the horn. (Yes, the horn is broken too). But I can't seem to power them on. There are quite a few pins that sound the horn when probed with 12v. To me, it feels like a harness has been damaged in some way, further back in the dash.
Well, that's what's killing me with my rotor now, but gimme a week and something else will need attention. If anyone who is good with wiring/electrical can point me in the direction of good wiring diagrams, or schematics, I'd owe you at least a sammich, and many thanks.
Driving 35 miles back home, feeling out my new toy, I fell completely and totally in love with it. For 1984, this car was one of the top of the model line, loaded with power everything. It's also been well maintained and documented at Rotary Performance, here in Dallas. However, at 6'9" (2.05m) tall, I need a smaller steering wheel. My knee gets caught between the door and wheel when I prepare to use the clutch. Needless to say, I am ecstatic that it has a removable sunroof, and handles like a big, fast, fun go-kart.
Today I found a 1984 Mazda RX-7 GLS for $500, in drive-home condition. Being nearly as old as me, she has some wear and scars. The most troublesome of which is the headlamps. The previous owner had attempted electrical work on them, but got frustrated past disconnecting various plugs from the multifunction switch (and breaking or losing the column/switch cover.
The existing switches are only good for cruise control and wipers. As an electrical specialist student in the automotive field, I thought this would be a cakewalk. Cheap car for maybe an afternoon's worth of rewiring.
My service manual (Chiltons) is no good. It claims to cover RX-7s from '78 to '89. Actually, most of the manual is very interesting... but the wiring diagrams are very misleading and vague. Wires labeled as one color and stripe in the diagram are in fact a completely different color, with horizontal stripes.
I can use a jumper wire to pop my headlamps up and down, and blow the horn. (Yes, the horn is broken too). But I can't seem to power them on. There are quite a few pins that sound the horn when probed with 12v. To me, it feels like a harness has been damaged in some way, further back in the dash.
Well, that's what's killing me with my rotor now, but gimme a week and something else will need attention. If anyone who is good with wiring/electrical can point me in the direction of good wiring diagrams, or schematics, I'd owe you at least a sammich, and many thanks.
Driving 35 miles back home, feeling out my new toy, I fell completely and totally in love with it. For 1984, this car was one of the top of the model line, loaded with power everything. It's also been well maintained and documented at Rotary Performance, here in Dallas. However, at 6'9" (2.05m) tall, I need a smaller steering wheel. My knee gets caught between the door and wheel when I prepare to use the clutch. Needless to say, I am ecstatic that it has a removable sunroof, and handles like a big, fast, fun go-kart.
Last edited by floz; 06-18-06 at 08:59 PM.
06-18-06, 11:13 PM
#4
a.k.a TheLatinHeat
Congrats! on your find and Welcome to the forum.
A 84 GSL for $500 is not bad at all and I have own so far 2 Rx7 a 81 GS and now a 84 GS. Spending some love and care on my new Rx7 that I own for about 3 months now is a project. But a fun one that I don't mind spending my entire day doing stuff on it. Enjoy! the love, fun and headache that you might come across on this cars.
A 84 GSL for $500 is not bad at all and I have own so far 2 Rx7 a 81 GS and now a 84 GS. Spending some love and care on my new Rx7 that I own for about 3 months now is a project. But a fun one that I don't mind spending my entire day doing stuff on it. Enjoy! the love, fun and headache that you might come across on this cars.
06-19-06, 01:32 AM
#6
Too old to act my age
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Congrats on the find. I bought mine well over a year ago, and even after having driven it almost daily for the last 15 months, I still feel a kid with a new toy. I'm far from being a kid, as I have a married daughter and teenage son. Both of them are always trying to talk me outta one of my cars. I also have a 2nd gen, but it currently is not running, which is why it was gave to me for free.....
Rotary powered cars are sorta like drugs. Once you get a sample, you're addicted for life.......
Rotary powered cars are sorta like drugs. Once you get a sample, you're addicted for life.......
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06-19-06, 02:04 AM
#8
Terrified.
Welcome, I've owned my first rx7 for two years now. Its now engineless waiting for the cash to do a 13b turbo II swap, but I had to buy another one while finances are getting prepped for that one. They are a joy to own and have. Tons of fun even with 22 year old suspension and a 12a. You'll be wanting more power soon enough, though.
06-19-06, 09:28 AM
#10
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Congrats on your new RX-7!
I know I spent my whole weekend working on mine...
After that, I spend some time on the Porch, just looking at her!
This is the palce to learn & share your times with about these great cars!
I know I spent my whole weekend working on mine...
After that, I spend some time on the Porch, just looking at her!
This is the palce to learn & share your times with about these great cars!
06-21-06, 03:18 PM
#13
Senior Member
welcome! and watch out they become addictive i started with my 1st gen GSL-SE '85 and then follow by my '87 turboII now looking to swap a 20B engine!
06-21-06, 04:12 PM
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If u can try to change the main fuse box for an aftermarket one like the ones used on audio amplifiers trust me you will see the difference in power windows and in the overall electric system trought the car i had problems with mine it was allways burning fuses or burning the power cable from the battery to the ignition . i changed the whole thing including better gauge wires an now it really works and i no longer have problems with my power windows nor the ignition sistem and u can really see the difference specialy in the interior and while using high beams... ohh and im new in ths forum but have had few rx7 currently have an 84 gsl-se and an 83 gs project and they are both my pain in the as* but i love them specialy when u have a 40,000 sprots car next to u on the highway and 10 seconds latter they can only see flames blowing out of the exaust getting far far far farr farrrrrrrr from them jejeje
06-21-06, 05:34 PM
#17
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Congrats & welcome to the unique world of Rotary Now a little word of advice be a cautious driver dont get riced out the RX7 is a great machine & well engineered & deserves respect. There was some guy who posted in here that he wrecked his & it's a shame cause they are hard to come by. In the rain she needs care cause if you nail her she will respond & you will lose her if you dont know how to handle her. I dont want to be the lecturer but i love the FB's & i hate reading post where guys have gotten them in "immaculate condition and turned them into shreeded sheets metal. I know most of the Rotary guys & girls cause I have met a few female FB owners can vouch to the fact of loving there RX's from FB - FD. So good luck welcome enjoy & as experience & trust grows that you can handle her kick some piston *** lol.You can def ask here for all kinds of Rotary advice here & tech questions this forum has love for the rotary theres a few i have seen that arent true to the rotary who put piston engines in the RX & why be on here it's not rotary anymore but i wont start a feud over it but sometimes the rotary can be a nailbitter headsmashing stubborn lil car but bear with it ,it's worth it in the long run
1983 GSL Grey About to drop my 13b with dellortos & my GSL SE suspension , 13b streetport project on hold started a new job have to pass probation b4 buying crazy **** lol good luck dude,pal, guy whatever the new slang is fromn state to state
1983 GSL Grey About to drop my 13b with dellortos & my GSL SE suspension , 13b streetport project on hold started a new job have to pass probation b4 buying crazy **** lol good luck dude,pal, guy whatever the new slang is fromn state to state
06-21-06, 09:00 PM
#18
1972 Rx2/1988 Rx7 TurboII
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I remember when I bought my first rotary! I fell in love from the first drive! Now if you want to be a TRUE rotary guy you have to:
A) Buy another... doesn't matter which just another. SA, FB, FC, FD, RX2-3-4, REPU
B) Blow an engine... and rebuild it... use old blown parts as tropheys for your work desk
C) Jerry-rig something to get it to work.
Have fun!
A) Buy another... doesn't matter which just another. SA, FB, FC, FD, RX2-3-4, REPU
B) Blow an engine... and rebuild it... use old blown parts as tropheys for your work desk
C) Jerry-rig something to get it to work.
Have fun!
06-22-06, 03:30 PM
#19
Me vs. Japanese Engineer
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Originally Posted by rxtory
so its auto right
But, after having her for only a week, I've blown a seal inside the engine. As far as my understanding goes, it's most likely one of the gasket/seals between the rotor housings. My oil pressure dropped to about 15 psi, I cut the engine off, and she started venting exhaust through the coolant. I know on a piston engine, this means a head gasket. Since we don't use silly things like cylinder heads, it must be a housing seal, right?
So there's the blown engine.
Within a few hours of having it at the house, I had to temporarily wire a switch for my headlamps until I can afford the headlamp/turn/cruise switch.
That's the backyard-engineered repair.
Suppose I should go hunting for a 2nd gen now, so she's not lonely.
Last edited by floz; 06-22-06 at 03:32 PM.
08-21-06, 04:17 PM
#22
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Headlight switch
Originally Posted by floz
Nah, mine's a 5 speed.
But, after having her for only a week, I've blown a seal inside the engine. As far as my understanding goes, it's most likely one of the gasket/seals between the rotor housings. My oil pressure dropped to about 15 psi, I cut the engine off, and she started venting exhaust through the coolant. I know on a piston engine, this means a head gasket. Since we don't use silly things like cylinder heads, it must be a housing seal, right?
So there's the blown engine.
Within a few hours of having it at the house, I had to temporarily wire a switch for my headlamps until I can afford the headlamp/turn/cruise switch.
That's the backyard-engineered repair.
Suppose I should go hunting for a 2nd gen now, so she's not lonely.
But, after having her for only a week, I've blown a seal inside the engine. As far as my understanding goes, it's most likely one of the gasket/seals between the rotor housings. My oil pressure dropped to about 15 psi, I cut the engine off, and she started venting exhaust through the coolant. I know on a piston engine, this means a head gasket. Since we don't use silly things like cylinder heads, it must be a housing seal, right?
So there's the blown engine.
Within a few hours of having it at the house, I had to temporarily wire a switch for my headlamps until I can afford the headlamp/turn/cruise switch.
That's the backyard-engineered repair.
Suppose I should go hunting for a 2nd gen now, so she's not lonely.
If you still need a headlight switch, I have a spare compination switch i would be willing to part with. PM me for more details.
08-21-06, 04:39 PM
#23
Wankelbator
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I just got my current one (84 GSL-SE) for $350 from a neighbor. It has a siezed pilot bearing but we've already got the transmission off and it looks like there has been motor work done to it... Rotor housing don't look original along with other indications the motor has been removed. Anyways, it had sat for about 2 months and they wanted to get rid of it. Someone had taken the motor all apart in preperation of removing the motor to do the tranny. To be on the safe side, we bought all new intake gaskets, fuel injector seals etc. We fired her up and she runs fantastic. Now just to get this clutch / bearing job done and we're rolling. Body virtually has no damage, just mild wear and tear and it is fully loaded. Pretty rare find being a GSL-SE
08-21-06, 06:11 PM
#25
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Tsi_Xtreme
B) Blow an engine... and rebuild it... use old blown parts as tropheys for your work desk
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