So I picked up a 1983 that was in really decent shape and it was flooded out during Hurricane Sandy. I've slowly been taking out and cleaning the interior piece by piece. The water came up as high as the glove compartment so all the wiring and fuse box, etc went under, salt water.

Anyways, I've used the search and every post just says to be patient and she'll come out but some spots are giving me trouble. There's even a write up in the archives but all the pictures are gone.

Here's where I'm at now:



And I can't seem to figure out how to get the gauge cluster out. I've already broken one small tab and don't want to break any more. Any tips...? Thanks.

 

Well the patience part was defiantly right. I managed to get the dash out w/out breaking anything else. Turns out the gauge cluster doesn't have to come out. If you remove the 10mm bolts securing the entire dash as one piece to the car you can unplug the cluster from behind. I believe it was 3-10mm bolts on the top under the vin# trim, 2-10mm bolts on each side nearest the door hinges, and 2-10mm bolts securing it below the shifter area... And that's all she wrote.

 

Really Mazda...? The under dash harness is connected as one piece all through out the front end chassis...??

 

yes i know it sucks ive replaced one in a gs that i did a swap to the 13b FI engine it is also connected to the dome light. and wraps around to the back of the car as well but there is a connector plug behind the drivers seat. it is a pita but will come out with out cutting. if you have questions about where things are hidden just PM me im quite good with the wiring of these cars

 

Mind writing a step by step? I have a 82 and its the same dash . I need to tackle this to get to my heater core . Pics would be awesome . (:

 

I would really love to do a write up except I find myself already consumed by the task I've taken on here. I'm seriously considering throwing in the towel and just getting myself $500 from the junkyard. I did feel a bit overwhelmed at first, that being my reason for starting this thread. Just get whatever is in your way, out of the way... Steering wheel, ignition surround, glove compartment, radio surround, heater controls and then all the bolts I mentioned above are accessible. I also labeled each connector which should make it easer to put back.

Bugman, I'm thinking about doing a stock EFI TurboII swap...??? Don't know yet.

 

it does get easier putting it back together when you have a new harness

 

That sucks... Best of luck with cleaning all that out! Its always sad to hear that a fellow rotary enthusiast got hit by this tragedy.

 

Don't give up! Rotary owners never give up

 

Ex-Eg... Your last comment kept ringing in my head. I couldn't abandon her, I just let myself get fustrated too easy sometimes and I let it show in my "junk-it" comment. Anyway, daamm near entire interior is out:



Old Clifford alarm is out:



I think I'm going to start a build thread to document "Operation Sandy"

 

Thats whats up Jimmy....build the hell outta this thing!