Restoring my 79
 

Ok so I have my Rx7 its a '79, last tags on it were from 1996 so the last time it has ran was in 1996...I was wondering what it would take to get it started again, the battery is dead, pulled the dipstick the other day and there is still oil in it so its holding the oil. I was thinking about changing the oil, new battery, is there anything else that might need to be done to it to get the thing to run? If you guys have any ideas let me know what you think....also if i were to just change the oil and battery and tried starting it what do you think would happen? thx

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/1st-gen-rx-7-faq-page-237777/
get to know your SA. They are getting more rare since they were produced from 1978 (tagged as 1979) til 1980. Change all fluids and maintainance items aka spark plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter just to be safe. Good luck

Just make sure all the fluids are changed, new wires, new plugs, check dirtributer cap, make sure engine's turning freely, check timing, add fresh gas, and you should have no problem starting it. Also make sure fuel pump is still working.

What would happen, it most likely won't start. Sitting that long, the fuel evaporates and turns to a varnish like goo, plugs everything up and stinks too. Fuel system needs to be flushed, carb most likely needs rebuilt. Replace the above mentioned parts and don't forget the cooling system. In the included link is the online factory carb manual and FSMs. Download the carb manual, and both the 79 and 85 FSMs. Read as much as you can and go through the FAQ link provided above.

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of rotarys. Your life and budget will never be the same. :) Since you are new with a new toy, post pics.


http://www.wankel.net/~krwright/cars/rx7/manuals.html

The first step I would take is finding out why it was put to sleep in 1996. You could go out spending lots of time and money on parts and there could be a serious engine problem. Usually when on of these cars sits forever is due to a blown rotor.
Could be costly to rebuild.

I bet it needs a new fuel pump too... I would never run a car on 13 year old oil! 3000 miles or 6 months tops.

-Fuel filter
-Spark plugs
-Air filter
-Oil change (20w50 Castrol, new filter)
-Drain and refill coolant
-Bleed brakes and new pads
-Bleed clutch
-New fuel lines
-New battery
-New tires

While your running off to buy parts, I would take the alternator into your local parts store and have them test it. It's free and may save you another trip back for a new one if it's bad.

Most likely unless the previous owner drained the fuel out of the car it will have quite a bit of gooey sediment in the bottom of the gas tank which can clog up the fuel pump, fuel lines, and carburetor. I would take the carburetor to a mechanic and have it rebuilt or find a friend who is knowledgeable about rebuilding carburetors.

I would not drive it at all on those 13+ year old tires either.

Ok thx guys, that was a lot of help.
Just so you guys know we have had the car since 1979, I have been the only owner of it so i know the motor isn't blown, once the kids came around the car kinda just sat there so that's the only reason that it hasn't run since 1996.

Did you drain the fuel and coolant? If you drained it and ran the carburetor empty you should be golden. New spark plugs, new fuel filter, oil and coolant change, and a new battery is all you should need then. You may still need to bled the clutch and brakes.

you have any pics of your SA rx7

If you didn't take out the fuel and such I'd disconenct the fuel line and let it dump it out into a container (also clean out the fuel tank) get all the old fuel out, make sure the carb and such look clean.

I'd also put some ATF or oil in the engine for a few days slowly moving it (pull on the belts easy) this will freshen up the seals alil, and when you first run it i would premix for a bit.

be gentle the when shes first going on for awhile.... i dunno how much to premix im sure others will tell ya

Premix 1ONZ oil per 1 GAL of gas, oil first of course so it makes a good mix.

i just picked up an FC that had sat since 97, we put some good used spark plugs in it and a battery, and it fired right up and runs perfect....

if you wanna take the worst case scenario and make a lot of smoke you can, but its optional....

you do want to look at things like the oil condition, coolant condition, and check to make sure the fuel pump pumps fuel before you crank it. since its easy on that i would drop a little oil down the carb and spin the thing by hand a couple times around. be prepared for the electricals to be inconsistent

once its running and the engine isnt bad (sitting does bad things to the rotor oil seals, and the aluminum/iron combo in the cooling system is bad too), then change the fluids. makes no sense to put $100 worth of stuff into the car just to see the motor is (or isnt) any good.

sitting all that time, the brakes will be bad, battery is dead etc etc