Neg/Pos battery cables crossed on '79 SA
11-01-14, 05:04 PM
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Rotonewb
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Neg/Pos battery cables crossed on '79 SA
I had a running/driving 79 SA. No mods/upgrades that I'm aware of, except that it was converted to points before I bought it.
It didn't pass smog, so I replaced the cats. The battery died, so I bought a new one.
Long story short... my niece's boyfriend was helping me clean out the garage etc... my drunk ol' lady next door came over and interrupted me... it got dark... and my brother's future son in law hooked the battery up backwards.
The car no longer turns over. I hear a single click, then nothing. I don't know much about the electrical system in this car, or any car for that matter. I plan to work on it tomorrow if my cold subsides a bit.
How screwed am I? Will I be lucky and only have to replace a fusible link or solenoid? Figured I would ask before I start this adventure. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Trying to get an idea for what I'm in for. Thanks in advance!
John
It didn't pass smog, so I replaced the cats. The battery died, so I bought a new one.
Long story short... my niece's boyfriend was helping me clean out the garage etc... my drunk ol' lady next door came over and interrupted me... it got dark... and my brother's future son in law hooked the battery up backwards.
The car no longer turns over. I hear a single click, then nothing. I don't know much about the electrical system in this car, or any car for that matter. I plan to work on it tomorrow if my cold subsides a bit.
How screwed am I? Will I be lucky and only have to replace a fusible link or solenoid? Figured I would ask before I start this adventure. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Trying to get an idea for what I'm in for. Thanks in advance!
John
11-02-14, 05:47 PM
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11-02-14, 10:02 PM
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Ive had that happen on another car. if the fuseable links didn't blow, or they've been replaced with regular wire, you may have to rebuild the starter and or alternator. Thats like the worst case scenario.
11-03-14, 11:15 AM
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Rotonewb
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Thanks for the info everybody... I saw a thread on switching to the 2nd gen fusible links. I probably won't be able to start working on this until next weekend, unless I go to Vegas. I know I should stay home and work on the car to save money! I will report back with my progress. Thanks again.
John
John
04-30-15, 03:31 AM
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Rotonewb
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I was able to get the rx7 running. I took it to a local shop for a tune up and to get it smogged. I had 3 vehicles there, and I knew they were going to only work on them when things were slow. I didn't care since I didn't have to worry about storing it. I didn't expect any bad news... So I got a call today that the internal seals are bad, and it's smoking badly from sitting for so long.
CA requires smog to sell a vehicle, so I was trying to get it smogged to sell. I didn't want to try to sell it as is / no warranty etc... and risk future trouble if it took more to get smogged than the buyer expected. I can't sink any more money into this project, so I'm going to check into my options more closely. The car runs and drives, but won't pass smog. It's probably best to swap the motor. Unfortunately, I already had catalytic converters installed believing that and timing was all I would need to worry about.
I would appreciate any input as far as to what it's worth. I'll pick the car up on Saturday, and take some pictures. Tires seem to be in great shape. There is some minor fender damage where the fender meets the passenger door. The interior isn't terrible, considering the age of the vehicle. I think there is a crack in the dash, but I don't recall. Paint is oxidized, but I'm not aware of any rust. Transmission seems to be fine. Antenna busted. Stock stereo, and I don't know if the speakers are any good, doubt it. I'll research a bit before posting a FS thread. Thanks!
CA requires smog to sell a vehicle, so I was trying to get it smogged to sell. I didn't want to try to sell it as is / no warranty etc... and risk future trouble if it took more to get smogged than the buyer expected. I can't sink any more money into this project, so I'm going to check into my options more closely. The car runs and drives, but won't pass smog. It's probably best to swap the motor. Unfortunately, I already had catalytic converters installed believing that and timing was all I would need to worry about.
I would appreciate any input as far as to what it's worth. I'll pick the car up on Saturday, and take some pictures. Tires seem to be in great shape. There is some minor fender damage where the fender meets the passenger door. The interior isn't terrible, considering the age of the vehicle. I think there is a crack in the dash, but I don't recall. Paint is oxidized, but I'm not aware of any rust. Transmission seems to be fine. Antenna busted. Stock stereo, and I don't know if the speakers are any good, doubt it. I'll research a bit before posting a FS thread. Thanks!
04-30-15, 06:27 AM
#7
I would appreciate any input as far as to what it's worth. I'll pick the car up on Saturday, and take some pictures. Tires seem to be in great shape. There is some minor fender damage where the fender meets the passenger door. The interior isn't terrible, considering the age of the vehicle. I think there is a crack in the dash, but I don't recall. Paint is oxidized, but I'm not aware of any rust. Transmission seems to be fine. Antenna busted. Stock stereo, and I don't know if the speakers are any good, doubt it. I'll research a bit before posting a FS thread. Thanks!
Generally, unmolested SA's are more desirable than other 1st gens, except for the GSL-SE's, and those two are prolly close to each other in popularity. There was a thread on here not too long ago with that conversation on it...
That all said, it really depends. Spend some time on here, CL, Ad Hunter, etc. and see what others are asking. You'll get a good feel for the market quickly.
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04-30-15, 07:13 AM
#8
Waffles - hmmm good
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SAs don't have catalytic converters, so putting those on there was probably not what it needed.
You can get an SA to pass smog but all the emissions stuff has to be tip top, including a tune
up and a well tuned carb.
That shop sounds like it doesn't know anything about rotaries or maintaining them. Do it yourself
or take the hit when you sell it.
You can get an SA to pass smog but all the emissions stuff has to be tip top, including a tune
up and a well tuned carb.
That shop sounds like it doesn't know anything about rotaries or maintaining them. Do it yourself
or take the hit when you sell it.
04-30-15, 08:43 AM
#9
Where in socal? I maybe interested in buying it from you. Send me a PM with your #. Thanks
I was able to get the rx7 running. I took it to a local shop for a tune up and to get it smogged. I had 3 vehicles there, and I knew they were going to only work on them when things were slow. I didn't care since I didn't have to worry about storing it. I didn't expect any bad news... So I got a call today that the internal seals are bad, and it's smoking badly from sitting for so long.
CA requires smog to sell a vehicle, so I was trying to get it smogged to sell. I didn't want to try to sell it as is / no warranty etc... and risk future trouble if it took more to get smogged than the buyer expected. I can't sink any more money into this project, so I'm going to check into my options more closely. The car runs and drives, but won't pass smog. It's probably best to swap the motor. Unfortunately, I already had catalytic converters installed believing that and timing was all I would need to worry about.
I would appreciate any input as far as to what it's worth. I'll pick the car up on Saturday, and take some pictures. Tires seem to be in great shape. There is some minor fender damage where the fender meets the passenger door. The interior isn't terrible, considering the age of the vehicle. I think there is a crack in the dash, but I don't recall. Paint is oxidized, but I'm not aware of any rust. Transmission seems to be fine. Antenna busted. Stock stereo, and I don't know if the speakers are any good, doubt it. I'll research a bit before posting a FS thread. Thanks!
CA requires smog to sell a vehicle, so I was trying to get it smogged to sell. I didn't want to try to sell it as is / no warranty etc... and risk future trouble if it took more to get smogged than the buyer expected. I can't sink any more money into this project, so I'm going to check into my options more closely. The car runs and drives, but won't pass smog. It's probably best to swap the motor. Unfortunately, I already had catalytic converters installed believing that and timing was all I would need to worry about.
I would appreciate any input as far as to what it's worth. I'll pick the car up on Saturday, and take some pictures. Tires seem to be in great shape. There is some minor fender damage where the fender meets the passenger door. The interior isn't terrible, considering the age of the vehicle. I think there is a crack in the dash, but I don't recall. Paint is oxidized, but I'm not aware of any rust. Transmission seems to be fine. Antenna busted. Stock stereo, and I don't know if the speakers are any good, doubt it. I'll research a bit before posting a FS thread. Thanks!
IMO. Still negotiating on pricing as i prefer orig paint (good or bad).
04-30-15, 10:10 AM
#12
Without replacing everything forward of the midpipe, you'd not be able to get cats to work properly on a 79 anyway - - all the plumbing from the engine to the midpipe is designed to feed the thermal reactor.
Last edited by DivinDriver; 04-30-15 at 10:12 AM.
04-30-15, 12:22 PM
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Rotonewb
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In fact, installing cats on a 79 in Cali would be an illegal modification of the emissions system; even if it passed on the numbers you could be failed by a (knowledgeable) smog tech during the visual. Provided they cared enough to look & knew what they should look for.
Without replacing everything forward of the midpipe, you'd not be able to get cats to work properly on a 79 anyway - - all the plumbing from the engine to the midpipe is designed to feed the thermal reactor.
Without replacing everything forward of the midpipe, you'd not be able to get cats to work properly on a 79 anyway - - all the plumbing from the engine to the midpipe is designed to feed the thermal reactor.
04-30-15, 04:44 PM
#14
1980's had no cats either. Thermal reactor/heat exchanger, identical to the 79.
Cats don't show up on the RX-7 until the FB (1981) model year.
It's not uncommon to meet people who don't know this, including automotive professionals who simply haven't had to deal with pre-81 rotary cars.
Cats don't show up on the RX-7 until the FB (1981) model year.
It's not uncommon to meet people who don't know this, including automotive professionals who simply haven't had to deal with pre-81 rotary cars.
06-17-16, 07:28 PM
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Rotonewb
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I just got back from the muffler shop that installed the cats. They cut the cats out, and welded some pipe in it's place. The shop is claiming it had cats when they installed the new cats. The shop shop states he won't be refunding my money, and I'm lucky he's taking them out for me.
The smog shop guy next door who originally told me to take it next door to have cats installed and to bring it back happened to stop by. He talked to me for a few minutes and said the 1.1L 79 rotary (12a I believe) showed cats in his "book", but that the sticker on the car itself states no cats. He doesn't think it will pass smog without cats. The muffler shop guy is saying his "books" that don't show the cats are wrong. As DivinDriver stated previously, the other smog shop I took it to said he wouldn't pass visual with the cats.
I just read a notice from Summit stating that California is doing a final vote and changing the smog exemption from 75 to 80. However, I think you would have to insure the vehicle as a collector/classic, and also have a registered daily driver in addition. This may also be kind of a temporary trial to see how it goes. But this may be a good thing so that a 13b swap can be done.
The car blows a lot of smoke when first started. I doubt I could get the car up to freeway speeds as it's currently running. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to sell it as is. I originally wanted to avoid this, but I don't have any money to put towards the car, and it deserves better.
I need to decide if I should try to sell the cats on craig's list (they have less than 10 miles on them), or try to get my money back from the muffler shop via the BAR. The muffler shop says to hang onto them because whomever buys the car will need them. I figure if I list the car here, then whomever buys it will know what they are getting into, and not end up in the predicament I'm in. If I had any funds, I feel confident that I could purchase a used engine and swap it. I don't think I could manage a rebuild on my own.
The reason it took me so long to get the car into the shop was because it was blocked in my garage by my 77 Ram Charger died on me. I do have it running now, so I'm glad to report a sliver of good news. I bought it when they had the rolling 30 smog law thinking I wouldn't have to worry about smog ever again. I probably should have moved out of California!
I'm 46 now. When I owned my RX7 back in high school, I had to sell it because I couldn't afford to replace the exhaust system. But back then, I could barely afford the gas as well. Anyhow, thanks for listening to me rant a bit.
John
The smog shop guy next door who originally told me to take it next door to have cats installed and to bring it back happened to stop by. He talked to me for a few minutes and said the 1.1L 79 rotary (12a I believe) showed cats in his "book", but that the sticker on the car itself states no cats. He doesn't think it will pass smog without cats. The muffler shop guy is saying his "books" that don't show the cats are wrong. As DivinDriver stated previously, the other smog shop I took it to said he wouldn't pass visual with the cats.
I just read a notice from Summit stating that California is doing a final vote and changing the smog exemption from 75 to 80. However, I think you would have to insure the vehicle as a collector/classic, and also have a registered daily driver in addition. This may also be kind of a temporary trial to see how it goes. But this may be a good thing so that a 13b swap can be done.
The car blows a lot of smoke when first started. I doubt I could get the car up to freeway speeds as it's currently running. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have to sell it as is. I originally wanted to avoid this, but I don't have any money to put towards the car, and it deserves better.
I need to decide if I should try to sell the cats on craig's list (they have less than 10 miles on them), or try to get my money back from the muffler shop via the BAR. The muffler shop says to hang onto them because whomever buys the car will need them. I figure if I list the car here, then whomever buys it will know what they are getting into, and not end up in the predicament I'm in. If I had any funds, I feel confident that I could purchase a used engine and swap it. I don't think I could manage a rebuild on my own.
The reason it took me so long to get the car into the shop was because it was blocked in my garage by my 77 Ram Charger died on me. I do have it running now, so I'm glad to report a sliver of good news. I bought it when they had the rolling 30 smog law thinking I wouldn't have to worry about smog ever again. I probably should have moved out of California!
I'm 46 now. When I owned my RX7 back in high school, I had to sell it because I couldn't afford to replace the exhaust system. But back then, I could barely afford the gas as well. Anyhow, thanks for listening to me rant a bit.
John
Last edited by user 73930; 06-18-16 at 02:47 AM.
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