GTX79

I got a '79 that I've been driving for about a year, and I need to know. Is an engine rebuild worth it? Should I repair the body? I got pics of my car here. Sorry if the lighting is less than stellar as I just took these and am in search of answers. I noticed that there was some kind of leakage both of my rotor housings, and am worried that the engine is on it's last legs. The big dent is from an SUV hitting my parked car in the middle of the night. I did what I could fixing the bumper and pounding out the dent, but is all this really worth fixing? The only other 1st gens I see lately are at the Pick n' Pull, which you're not allowed to take the whole car. Any suggestions?

djessence

Is a rebuild worth it? Well, whats wrong with your engine right now? and how many miles.

These cars generally start to need a rebuild around 220k kms but some go longer, it all depends on how your engine has been treated.

Should you repair the body? I think so. Especially since where you are they salt the roads heavily which leads to quicker body degeneration. AND if you repair the body its another rx7 that can last longer as they arent overly common cars.

GTX79

Well, I dunno how many miles as the OD doesn't go over 5 digits. It says about 73K, but I assume it has already gone past 100K at least. Also, whenever I go over 6K rpm, I get lots of smoke out the tailpipe, but it goes away after settling down for a minute. I think the U-joints are going on it, too. All I did, suspension-wise is replace my rear sway bar links last year to pass an OOP inspection as it was a BC car. I plan on doing my front links this weekend, along with the oil pan gasket, and the brakes. May need to replace the shocks, but I dunno how much a set goes for, or how hard it is to do myself, since shop labour kills my wallet.

djessence

Most of the stuff can be done yourself with minimal tools.

If you need specialty tools check parts source, alot of times they have free 3 day rental, you just need to pay for it up front, then they refund you after 3 days (minus late charges if you are over)

What kind of smoke, these cars do burn oil, how much smoke as well.

Rebuilds cost between 600-1200 dollars depending on how many parts you are replacing.

Id recommend trying to do everything yourself. Learn alot and everything is relatively simple.

Currently in the middle of a rebuild/quasi restoration but exams are getting in the way.

Man how many 1st gens have you seen at pick 'n pull. Ive only seen 1 an 83 GS?

GTX79

The smoke is a black smoke so it burns oil, but its a lot. I will occasionally go over 6K rpm, then come to a stop. Once the car comes to a complete stop, I'm surrounded by a cloud of buish black smoke from my tailpipe. I want to avoid rebuilding the motor, as the only guys I know can do the job is Rx-7 Specialties, and they charge quite a bit for a rebuild. Also, I have seen about 5 or 6 1st gens there over the span of a year. not sure if they have any there, now, but there was a TII there just the other day with the motor still in it. I hope I can save this car from the scrapper, since it was my first car, and I plan on passing it on to my friend someday (whenever the lazy bum gets his license) who is prit-near car iliterate. This thing is my daily driver right now, and I don't have anything else drivable at the time, so an engine rebuild may be out of the question right now.

djessence

Check the calibration on your OMP, do some reading around the forum, check your oil all the time. Not sure if you are newer to the rx7 scene i assume not if this was your first car and i noticed you have an rx4 (which id be interested in seeing).

I personally wont go to rx7 specialties, but ii dont want to risk saying anything on this forum as its a touchy subject in certain sections, so i will avoid that topic. Rebuilds arent that hard on these engines and really dont require all that many tools.

If it runs strong i wouldnt worry about it too much, Maybe just a full tune up and see how it goes from there

GTX79

Thanks for the input. I'll do what I can to fix the 7 up. Seems I got a long weekend of work ahead of me. If you look at my sig, yes, I am selling the 4. If you like, I can tell you everything I know about the beast. I even have pics. PM me for pics and details.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

GT: from the body rust it looks like your car has the beginnings of being a money-pit. I salute djessence willingness to rebuild a rotary himself, but would certainly recommend you maybe invest in one of those rebuild-rotary video DVDs to (1) see just what is really involved and (2) you'll certainly want it as a guide if you DID. Its one thing to tackle a set of shocks (easy) - but engine rebuilds are a whole new level. (BTW whole sets of 79-80 RX7 shocks on ebayregularly for about $125) Frankly, even if you were lucky enough that some/all the housings didn't require some sort of refinishing (if not replacement or complete refurb), just the "consumables": seals, apex seals, oil seals, gaskets, etc. etc. etc. is pretty serious $$. And the rust in your pic of the rear fender sez there is a LOT of rust on that car, so unless your handy with welding and body work or have someone who is, THAT is going to be a long dollar too. Oh, and then you' d want to paint it...

I appreciate your trying to prevent it going to the scrap pile - as an SA lover I hate to see it to, but this looks to be one tired car. For all that money - and time- consider looking for a replacement RX that someone else has either done all that stuff or has a car that has just lead a better life. BC is full of RX7s. Old RX7s have just bottomed out in price and are starting to climb. Why not spend $2K-ish on a solid car with few needs - because you will definitely spend w-a-a-a-ay more than that to get this one anywhere near as good.
I know there was a rotary specialty shop in Calgary at one time. Inspite what dj sez, its worth at least talking to them. At the very least they will have some good leads on RX7 customers and maybe someone looking to get rid of their 7??

Get informed about just what all its going to take to get this car to where you would like it to be, before you start "dying-of-a-thousand-cuts" as you start throwing $$ into this one. I think you'll find that in the long run its far (!!) cheaper to put that $$ towards a better car. I know this because its _exactly_ what happened to me between RX7 no. 1 and RX7 no. 2!!

Best of Luck
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska (but ex-Calgarian!)

GTX79

Seems my 7 is already past the point of no return, after reading that last reply. I guess I'll fix the cheap stuff (i.e. oil pan, front sway bar links, brake pads, etc), and get ready for something else when it comes along... Like I said, my 7 is my DD, and I'm not made of money. The only other car I know of that could replace it would be a silver '83, but I'm getting ready for a Z car, and I don't need (plus, parents won't let me have) two sports cars. I also have other things that I gotta unload first. Might look into a replacement car to build up for my friend, but it's staying at his house. I'm not saying I'm abandoning rotaries, I'm saying that I'm at a loss at this point. What do you guys think?