Ok well I'm not that new to the board but this is my first post.

A while back I bought a 1983 RX-7 GSL 12B off of my ex girl friend... (long story)

Anywho I havn't done much with it due to the fact I couldn't get it to start.
I've read lots of the dead start posts and I figured it doesn't need a ATF/MMO treatment and today i tried using just some starter fluid... it fired right up (YAY!)

However...

Only a few times after it has been running can i get it to restart with out the starter fluid. Why might this be? All the spark plugs, cables, dizzy and dizzy rotar and even the battery have been replaced just prior to me buying the car. Could it be the spark plugs?

Also after it has been running a little it gets a sulfur smell coming from the behind the drivers door...

Could I ahve a bad cat? or what might be the issue with that?

And last question for now... what is the small selenoid that is directly behind the drivers side front strut? It has a cable that runs from it down near the base of the carborator... There is also a little white clip/connector that is not connected to anything... but looks like it should be connected to that selenoid. However when I put that connector on the selenoid and try to start the car I get the WORST screeching/grinding sound ever known to man... or atleast it sounds really bad.

Well thanks for any tips and if you know of any other posts that could help me then send me there. I did try to use the search feature but asking about what a part is doesn't really work.

Thanks again!
Johnny

 

That's the 'hot start assist' motor, and it does make a horrific noise when in operation. It's generally useless and should be disconnected, IMHO.

As for the starting issues, when does the car give you starting problems, when it's cold or hot?

 

I believe you mean 12 "A", not 12 "B" Your crossing a 12A with a 13B haha.

 

im assuming he means when cold. if it is carb it could just need tunned i dont know im not an expert

 

If the fuel in the car has been in there for a long period of time then you need to drain the tank and put a fresh fuel filter on. Old fuel does not ignite very well.

If that's not the case then start looking for vacuum leaks.

 

Yeah I meant 12A... oops... i knew better...

Ok I'll leave that disconnected then

It happens both when hot or cold... but ALWAYS when cold.

It is carbed...

Well I'll check out the fuel issue then... I havn't replaced the fuel filter or anything on this car yet. But it was filled up back in November when i bought it... since then it's just been sitting.

I'm compleatly new to Carburated engines... but I'll give it a shot..

Could miss gapped spark plugs be p[art of the problem?

Also any ideas about the sulfur smell?

 

Plugs come pre-gapped, if you haven't messed with them, they should be good. Sulfur smell, dead cat.

In my sig line is a link to the online FSMs, carb manual etc. Welcome to the forum and the Darkside.
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Wow i can't bealive the amount of fsm's you have posted that brings a tear to my eye. great job!

 

Awesome I just downloaded almost all the manuals!

Thanks everyone for their help... I'm gonna go out and try working on it a bit more.

 

Oh and is there a common place that our engines are known for haveing vacum leaks?