Working on RX7 Again - Rats Nest Question
 

Well I finally started working on my RX-7 again. I haven't started it in about 8 months, it took a new battery and some coercing to get it running. Once I let it run for about 10 minutes I had no problem starting it again after that. Its been out of commission since last winter when I slipped on some black ice and curbed it (going about 40mph), which messed up the front passenger control arm and possible some other junk over in that area. I just ordered a new control arm since that was the most noticibley damaged part, and I'll be working outward from there.

Anyway, while I'm waiting for the control arm, I decided that I might start clearing up the rats nest. I had planned to do it during the winter while it was garaged, but I never got around to it. My biggest question is regarding the lawnmower belt needed after removing the air pump. I saw that the pdf guide mentioned the yoohoo belt sold at pineapple racing. So I'm assuming from the picture and the description of the yoohoo belt, that would replace the lawnmower belt. Is that correct?

Also, is there any other advice that anyone would like to give regarding their personal experiences, I'd like to hear it. Thanks guys, and glad to be back.

Rats nest is a separate ordeal than the air pump removal. If you are removing the rats nest, you do not have to touch the air pump.

When you remove your air pump, you HAVE to install a header. Your alternatives for the waterpump belt situation is either the yoohoo belt (I run one) or the dual alternator pully from Racingbeat. The yoohoo belt will be hard to put on...

Also, the Yoohoo belt is a fancy lawnmower belt AFAIK. I think it is called the L2200 or something.

I already have a header on. I was just going to follow the PDF guide in the FAQ section to remove the rat's nest, and they removed the air pump at the same time. I just planned on doing it then as well.

So if I get the yoohoo belt I won't need to buy that lawn mower belt?

EDIT:

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Good man, props on searching before asking! Good luck on the install. When I installed my belt, it was a very tight fit and I remember taking it off and back on a few times to get it seated right :)

jeezuz you need to come over and explain this whole ordeal to me in person..cause sounds like somthing id wanna do :rlaugh:

but im shit with instuctions without pictures or a guide.

What year is your car? I only did this to a 79 engine lol. Not if it differs between years, but I can do what I can :)

Follow this post. It will tell you why a dual pulley on the alternator is better and easier than a yahoo belt, all you ever wanted to know about rat's nest removals and why you shouldn't strip your Nikki:

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/whats-not-needed-nikki-671804/

Been there, done that,

Ray

No info on yoohoo or dual alternator in the thread :p

I run the yoohoo belt with zero problems so far. I plan on changing it to a dual alternator pully just because it looks cool. At the time of the yoohoo purchase, it was the cheapest alternative to have my car running.

When I bring it down, I will keep it on for ya to glance at.

Oh, and the only fear I had with the yoohoo is the tightness. It made me very cautious about my water pump bearings going bad with the amount of tension on it. But now after a few hundred miles under my belt, it seems to have relaxed quite well!

"When you remove your air pump, you HAVE to install a header."

Stu, not correct. You saw the set up on my white one, it still has the stock header connected to a bonez racing pipe and the air pump removed. I added the dual pulley instead of the yo hoo belt because I'd heard some bad things about what they do to your bearings and eccentric shaft. Besides, it looks way cool. Here's a picture of mine:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member...7_258_full.jpg

And here's the movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa9uyh_P-EE

Ray

Keyword Bones Racing pipe :wink:. I think that removes your cat (I call it a test pipe), and thats what will start glowing/burn up/possibly catch on fire, if you still have it on. I had a 79 with the thermal reactor, same situation.

its a 85 :]

^^ Ah, I see it in your profile... forgot you can go there and find out! I will go look around and see what I can find in the differences and whatnot. Hopefully it is the same

Pineapple racing (.com) sells a "real" yohoo belt - one actually made for just this "no pump" application! No more shopping Sears or Napa for lawn mower belts :)
$14
Damn Ray, that is one clean motor!! (this from someone you went over his with a Toothbrush!)
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

i feel dumb asking still kinda new but what that under your oil filter i know its probly a oil cooler, i like the way it work, pn# or any thing .

That is the beehive oil cooler. It came on later models, I believe 84-85?

And they are terribly inefficient! If you don't have one, be thankful!

Well the beehive cools the oil on my 84/85 GSLs just fine Mr. Gray, I'm mighty thankful for that beehive (had to replace the "O" rings awhile back, no big deal).

And Stu I've had that bonez "test pipe" on for more than five years and three different GSLs, about 150,000 miles, and it hasn't caught fire yet. Saved me a lot of gas in fact and the car's a hoot to drive without all those cats (and yes, a stock header).

Thanks Stu for the compliment, it's fun keeping it clean but I wouldn't want to eat off it.

You can get those dual pulleys for around $20-30, they look cool and grab so good you can use your old belts, that's what's on mine.

Ray

Lol, sorry, I dont clarify. I had the thermal reactor on my car (couldnt remember what it was called) which would glow/burn up if I did not have the air pump. Same situation for the non TR cars, but they had that issue with the cat converters instead. I was just used to calling my TR a header, even though... well, now I know it isnt haha.

I am still working on the rats nest removal process and stumbled on this.

Is there some kind of fire risk if I leave my stock exhaust on and take out the rats nest and air pump? I was not going to buy new exhaust for about a year. Money wise.