85 FB

[Fair warning: This is kind of long winded but I give details]

Okay, what I thought would be a simple gas tank leak turned out to be a full blown headache, and with no results in the end. Which has led me to wondering if I really should keep my RX-7 and invest in it with the plans I have for it. Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my Rex. It's just perfect. The handling, the low weight, the near 50/50 balance, smoothness of the engine at all RPM, everything. I don't think any other car could come close. But, regardless of the love I have for it, some of the problems I'd like to fix turn out to be bigger problems than I previously figured.


Story time:

For example, today I wanted to fix up the gas leak coming from somewhere on the tank. I figured just remove the dust shield, remove the straps and drop the tank, find the leak, JB Weld it up (if possible), put it back up, and "boom", the job is done. Well, no. With this being a 21-year-old car, you know that there's going to be some rusted/frozen items. Like the nuts and bolts. Snapped two bolts holding the dust shield up and the two rear tank strap bolts will not move, due to the fact that the nuts separated from the body and stuck onto the bolts. So, those bolts weren't coming out at all. At least the front bolts came out no problem so I was able to drop the tank enough to peak at the top.

But during all this, I was getting more and more weary over the fact that everything kept breaking, or wouldn't come part/off, or whatever other problem happens with an old car. Can you blame me, really? Needless to say, I couldn't determine the leak, tho probably from near the bottom of the filler hose (judging from the saturation/discoloration around the area) and decided to forget about it, and placed the tank back up. Also, keep in mind that I wasn't able to drop the tank completely down, just enough without screwing everything up and being left car-less. Figured my problems were over, I was wrong. The tank, for some reason, did not properly align on the driver side, as evident by the front strap hole not sitting flush against the car. At least I was able to put the bolt back in and tighten it enough to keep it from snapping the strap and keep the tank secure (for now, I hope ). I'm thinking that tiny rubber bumpstop on the tank is not aligned in the hole, altho everything else LOOKS LIKE it is properly aligned. And, this isn't the first time I've encountered problems with this car that ended with no results, or results I wasn't pleased with.

End story time


I'm not lucky enough to have a garage (yet), or a decent, paved, level driveway. I rent a room and park my car on a crappy, uneven, gravel driveway. And, I have no one else to rely on for help. I own simple tools: big Craftsman 190-piece tool set (with case), hydraulic jack, and car ramps.

I have big plans for this car (who doesn't?) . New interior, motor, suspension, etc, the usual. But, I also want to go into detail with the thing: new shiny (strong where required) bolts, painted frame, components, etc. Basically, a car you can eat off of, regardless of where.

So, anyways, during all this hassle (stuff breaking off, not coming off, not aligning) I wondered: "Should I really keep this car?" I really don't want to get rid of it, but I thought I'd ask you all, and see what everyone else had to say. I'd also like to hear from some of the "veterans" (if you will) that have done near/all complete restorations on theirs, slowly but surely, and see what they have to say.

So.....what do you all think?

Naegleria_Fowleri

We all have problems with our cars, and I for one know that I would keep my car regardless of what happened to it (unless it was hardcore wrecked or something of that nature). Of course I bought my cars with the full understanding that with their age there was going to be a ton of things to fix along the way, and regardless of all else that comes up along the way, I would be right on top of fixing it.

Ultimately it is up to you. You'll be able to buy another one in the future, but it is all depending entirely upon your own priorities in life. If you really want to keep it (and assuming you bought it with the intention to keep it for a long time like I did) you will want to keep it, and you are just suffering from the frustration we all suffer through from time to time.

DublyDurty

85 FB,

You're probably not going to like my answer but it is submitted with the best of intentions. Get some Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster and two or three days before you want to tackle any job that has to do with nuts and/or bolts, spray 'em and tap 'em (to vibrate the fluid in) and do it again the next day. You'll be amazed at how much this helps loosen rusty old bolts and then you can go on to fixing/breaking other things . Old cars have to be coaxed (not beat) into submission.

Good luck,

DD

jarath

If PB blaster didn't exist, I wouldn't want to work on mine either... that stuff is absolutely amazing.

85 FB

DD,

Yes, at the time I didn't have any PB Blaster and kicked myself for it, knowing full well that I should always make sure I have some before starting any project. Yet, it slipped my mind. For now, I'm just going to look into finding a gas tank replacement in the best condition that can be found, clean it up, put some primer on it, some flat black, get some replacement straps..........and find out from my tech shop just HOW I can get access to those junked out bolts/nuts at the rear of the car.

Re-Speed.com

iTrader: (3)

Every time and I mean every time I work on a street car I get frustrated and pissed off. All the years working on purpose built race cars and full prep cars have spoiled me. I always say I wont do it again but after the job is done I feel the gratification. Then I start planning the next thing I want to do. Inevitably to frustrate myself for the gratification feeling at the end.

You realize the car is old. You realize things may go wrong. That is half the battle. I say keep the car and continue to work on it. Make sure to plan your projects according to your skill level, available tools and time limit. Plan for thing that may go wrong. Make sure to do the job the right way the first time. Replace bolts. Anti-seize hardware that needs it. Use good quality replacement parts. After a while there will be nothing you have not touched on the car and it will be easy to remove. Your project will come together.

Oh.....and keep a case of PB blaster in stock

-billy

bliffle

It's not the cars fault, it's the fault of the salt used on streets and highways. Here in the SF bay area we have little or no snow and no salt, so my old RX-7s, as well as my 33 year old REPU have none of these problems. ANY car you drive in the east must have proper undercoating or must be thoroughly cleaned to survive. When I lived in Minnesota I parked my sports car in the garage during the winter and drove a sacrifice car in the snow. On the few occasions I took the good car out I also treated it to a high pressure under-wash. When you buy an old used car beware!

If you want a good FB with no salt damage, be prepared to travel west. I plan to sell one, possibly two, of my cars, which have no problems.