Saw an add that someone is selling a rx7 for under 1k that hasnt ran in a long time. Its an FC convertible, no rust just a few knicks and the top cover is peeling off. Its in my price range and im not in any hurry to build it up just trying to take it apart and learn slowly. What do you guys think?

 

Are you willing to rebuild the engine and do things like drop the fuel tank to clean the system out?

 

 

I did that 3 times now! Im on my third FC I bought as a project that has stood for over 10 years! First one really had a blown engine it was a T2 S5 with 30000 miles! Interior was like brand new but engine was shot I wanted to rebuild but had to scrap most of the engine as it was full of water and that for a couple of years.... And beyond saving!
so I bought a used engine / transmission and drove it for a couple of years then sold it and bought a convertible ... Same story! That was a couple of years ago and fcs have become really rare in Germany by now and those that are for sale are really expensive so I got one off eBay ... S4 n/a that I am currently getting ready for inspection ( has stood 12 years now and I just got it to run today! )

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​​​​​​Issues I have faced on those cars:
dead fuel pump ( on 2/3)
Rusty fuel tank (on 2/3)
Stuck fuel injectors (on 1/3)
Bad compression (search for how to unstuck apex seals with atf;! That saved my current na engine that had really bad compression)
(Blown water seals 1/3)
bad fuel pump relay
bees nest inside the AFM (1/3)
Bees nest In air filter box (1/3)
rust in coolant hoses and passages(2/3)
Rusted waterpump(2/3)
bad starter (2/3)

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that are the main issues I had on my 'barn finds'

If you buy it first I would recommend the following:

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Remove fuel pump and check inside the fuel tank for rust!
If it has no rust test the fuel pump

 

 

Being "completely new to cars" makes this car in specific and any major project car in general, a bad idea.
This is not to denigrate your intelligence or ability to learn, it's just acknowledging your current skill level.
You would hardly begin your skiing career by entering the Olympics, success encourages progress, not abject failure.

What you want is a running car with a few issues.
Maybe the brakes need work...that's an easily defined project with a definite endpoint and along the way you'll gain some knowledge of the general condition of the car (since you'll be in all four corners of the chassis).
Baby steps, young padawan, that's what gets you to expertise, not biting off more than you can chew and gagging.

 

i pretty much only buy Rx7's that have sat that long, and its been fine. there will be a reason it was parked in the first place. i go in prepared to inspect every system before i drive it, so if i had to clean out the cooling system, or fuel system i could, although i have not really had to yet.

i have even had these things pass smog in California on gasoline that is 5-6 years old

all of the manuals we know about are here: Foxed.ca - Mazda RX-7 Manuals