I recently got a 1979 RX-7 and it currently does not run with the engine turning but not firing up seemingly because no fuel is being ignited or even making it to the engine. the engine seems to be okay so I'm thinking that its either a fuel pump issue, dirty/bad fuel tank, or spark plugs or all of the above. I'm very new to working on cars and this isn't the easiest first project, so any advice is greatly appreciated. If you have experienced any issues please tell me what to do to test for the fuel pump and other issues that are common in this car. and if you need more info tell me and I will say everything I know. Thank You!

 

Definitely without being the most technically literate in here, your logic seems to be good enough for starters.

First of all you have to explain what "does not run" means. In which part of starting the car up the process is interrupted?

Check if you have power, check if you have fuel and take it from there.

A common reason for a rotary to not start is a wet spark plug due to the big amounts of fuel they inject.
If you wet a spark plug then the solution is or removing and replacing or remove and burn with a blow torch until they are dry again.
Put them back on, try again.

If none of the above do not work then you will have to go with more advanced troubleshooting.

Hope some of this helps,
Konstantinos.

 

Post a video so we can see and hear what's going on.

 

Explain "does not run" in detail.

 

"does not run" and "the engine seems to be okay" are a little conflicting.

 

Thank you! I will try these and I will update my post to be more specific

 

Yeah they are sorry. The engine seems to be fine it seems to be an issue with fuel in some way

 

The gas tank can get really gummed up. First thing to test is that the fuel pump is running. If it is, take the carb rubber fuel inlet line off the carb and put in a bottle. Have someone turn the key to the ON position (NOT Start/crank) and see if there is fuel. It should only take a couple of seconds. Have the person ready to turn the key off. If no fuel, check filter. If it looks OK, remove the fuel pump outlet hose and take an air hose to the carb side and blow towards the tank. If it is OK, do the same with the fuel pump inlet hose and blow into the tank. Take the fuel cap off and you should hear air. If you don't the fuel tank pickup is clogged.

Before taking any hoses off, label each side of the connection. It doesn't have to have the hose function, just unique makers. Each hose connection with have two pieces of tape with the same marks you make.

ex: Carb inlet one piece of take on the metal part and one piece on the rubber part each with the same identifying mark.