So I’m looking for some help on my 1985 rx7, I was able to get it started rite up and found a leak coming from the water pump, I pulled it out and the housing doesn’t look rite on the inside and of course it was discontinued so I’m not sure how to clean it up properly....... can anybody give me some ideas???

 

Has the cooling system been neglected or has the car been sitting for a long time?

If you housing and waterpump look like that, all other components need to be looked at.

The housing is a big chunk of cast iron, just clean it up and clean up all the gasket mating faces. It will be fine. Use degreaser, wire brush etc.

Suggest to look at replacing water pump, thermostat, all hoses, and check the radiator condition. Coolant flush etc...

That hose looks original.. I don't trust 35 year old parts like that.

 

It has been sitting and neglected for at least five years, my dad had it and couldn’t take it with him to his new house, so I decided to take on the project lol

i can do simple task with this car, only thing I’m can’t do is look further into the engine, I’m just hoping it’s not that badly

so what should I use to clean up the housing? I ordered the new pump and plan on ordering radiator and hoses as well

would that Metal Rescue stuff work for this situation?

 

What you are seeing is cosmetic and does not affect the functioning of the part. As long as the gasket surfaces (two flat faces on either side, and the surface where the thermostat sits) are cleaned up, it will be fine.

What is more important is the functional parts of the cooling system. Before getting a new rad, I would drain your coolant and see what it looks like (the drain is la small bolt on side of engine, find it by following your oil fill tube all the way down from drivers side). Take rad cap off, look in to get a general idea of the core.

Sitting 5 years could mean bigger issues with the fuel system. Before trying to run it more, I would try to get the old gas out, inspect fuel filter, replace it, etc.

But the fact that it started right up is a good sign. A general tune up.. plugs, wires, filters will go a long way.

Check out the FAQ page for some useful links:
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...q-page-237777/

Download the service manuals here:
Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals

 

it looks fine, its iron, iron rusts when you put it in water, clean it, repaint it and put it back on

 

Big warning on re-install tho:
Note ONE of the mount bolt-points requires re-using a SPACER in that position to compensate for the thickness of the rear gasket at the engine block! failure to re-use = leaks. "15082" in the picture-

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

Thanks for the info, greatly appreciated!!! I’m hoping to get it all back together this weekend, although I don’t remember taking out that spacer, gonna have to look and make sure it didn’t fall off when I pulled out the housing, if so it should be there

 

It's wafer thin, much thinner than a typical washer, so keep an eye out for it.

Tightening down the housing trying to get it to seal without that washer has cracked more than one housing around here. Find it, use it.

 

Are these the washers we talking about?

 

yep. Those are the 2. Remember their position!


Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

To me, it appears that the gasket had broke and shifted, at about the 10 o'clock position, on the housing during the installation process. Perhaps that's where it was leaking? I always try to use gasket sealer, such as Permatex, when installing cooling system components to hold the gasket in place and to avoid any possible gasket leaks.