JasonT

Hey guys, when to look at a partly restored rx-7 today, it had been taken apart and the guy gave up on it. End result a nice looking rx-7 with great potential though it had been sitting there for 6 years. What kind of troubles would i have with the engine being sitting there for so long? Missing an igniting switch I didn't hear it run though if it was running what would usually need replacing.

Cheers for any help

Jason

pratch

Unfortunately, I can tell you - my baby sat for close to 4 years when I was working too many hours and had no clue how to fix her...

I ended up picking up a parts car (running with Leak of Death) to start making it run. I knew I was having fuel delivery problems, but couldn't figure out why...

End result? Swapped carbs (helped but ultimately needed to rebuild the carb), replaced fuel filter, found out that my tank was filled with varnish after so long, so I had to replace that. new cap & rotor, new plugs, coolant system flush, new battery, oil change... I think that's the short list. The biggest issue you'll face is going to be the tank.

Depending on how much gunk there is in it, you may have to replace it - otherwise, there are several posts on here about cleaning and restoring tanks - just do a search.

Hope it helps and good luck

Jezza D

I'm doing this project with Jason, infact it will be my car. Having being sitting there for 6 years, will that mean the seals and other componants are crucially damaged or will it just run a bit rough? I heard rumors it runs rough for a while however frees up after a while, can anyone confirm that or prove it wrong?

Junia

Or you could be lucky like I was when I got a free car that was sitting in the same spot for 5 years without ever being started with 1/2 a tank of fuel. Title got signed over and I jump started it and was of on my way.

vipernicus42

iTrader: (4)

WTF Junia?

My car sat for four, and there's been an endless supply of things that needed to be replaced or fixed because of it sitting.

My engine siezed (and hence I learned enough to write the decarbonizing article) my brakes siezed (and so I spent $1200CDN replacing EVERYTHING in the brake system), my gas turned to a varnish-like substance (and so I had to have my carb rebuilt, replace my lines and pump, and flush my tank) and many other small things.

Battery replacement, spark plugs, plug wires, dist cap and rotor, oil, coolant flush, thermostat and gasket, tranny fluid, rear end fluid, air and fuel filters.

And alot of the rubber will be not-so-good... You can get away with it probably, but be aware that you *should* change high-pressure hoses like your brakes and clutch fluid hoses.

So have fun, I remember having written a post about this a while back and if I find it, I'll dig it back up. It's a lot of fun to restore a car, but remember to expect the unexpected. Just look what's written under my name :P

Jon

nevarmore

http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/ Go to Tech, and scroll down till you see a pic of a rusted rotor. That describs the gist of what kind of problems you could have.

Junia

yup, I know about that thread. I've done regular stuff like rebuild the master cylinders and stuff but thats just normal wear and tear. I've been driving this car for almost 2 years now. Theres only one thing leaking on that car and its the power steering, other than that nothing else(even that damn honey comb) leaks

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

remove the spark plugs and exhaust manifold, pour some marvel mystery oil down the carb, in spark plug holes, in exhaust manifold. put in neutral, 19mm socket on crank pulley and cross your fingers it will turn over by hand. spin it several times.

if it turns, take oil filter off, put 3/4" heater hose on the oil filter pedastal. pour two quarts of oil in there to pre-lube the bearings and rotors. crank it on the starter and enjoy the smoke screen!

Jezza D

Ok i think we might go and get it all lubed up before we go starting it up to try and prevent any damage. I have a serious lack in knowlege for buying old cars seeing that this is my first one! The car has been sitting there for 6 years, so apart from the possibility of having some problems with the engine is there some things i should be looking for to see whether its a good buy or not? i.e. things a novice should look for that i dont want to find cost a bomb to replace in the future and to prevent me from getting ripped off!

A bit of background info, engine and gearbox reconditioned (6 yrs ago) and placed in the car and conected. (apparently ran beautifully last time it was started up), glass, seats, dash etc etc have been pulled out (i.e. car has been gutted), body has been stripped and a coat of primer has been applied, seats have been re-upholsterd, and dash has been reconditioned, repainted and sun-proofed. needs recarpeting and new front windshield but thats bout it, all for AUS$1500

nevarmore

egh $1500. I'd shop around for a bit. Whats the market like for 7's down under? Even with the exchange rate AUS $1500 still sounds rather steep for a 'might run' car.

Do you want a car or do you want a project. Decide now, because it sounds to me like you're looking at a project. An amalgation of parts that looks like a car.

Jezza D

Yea we're deffinatly lookign at a project car! the guys a mechanic and he's done all the hard work but he hurt his back and cant go on with the project. i thought it might be a decent price, prices r at about $500 for just the frame and no engine or gearbox and for a rx7 in working condition they range from $3000-$5000 depending on what little extras have been done to it. The guys pretty confident it'll run but there r sum dodgy people around so i want to here the beast running myself

inittab

that has been my experience as well. The 12a in my 1st gen felt constipated when I first got it but after running her for a few weeks she freed up and ran well. If you can get it running, go easy on it for a while and let it loosen up.

nevarmore

3000-5000 sounds like the one you're looking at is half a car for half the price. Sounds fair.

Snapshot

You just might be surprised. Pour some auto trans fluid down her throat & turn the engine manually for a while before you try to start it. Smokes like a bitch for about 30 mi & then smoothes out. Mine has 200,000+ mi on the original engine.