Project Valkyrie: Resurrecting the Childhood Car
 

I've been waiting forever and it's finally happening! I'm finally getting back the Rx-7 I used to ride around in when I was a young kid.


So here's the story of the car:
I grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii. Back in 1993 my Dad decided to buy a 1994 FD with Montego Blue, and Tan interior. He bought the car from a dealership in Salem Oregon that his buddy owns. He shipped the car back to the Big Island and I used to ride around in it around the age 4-7.
I remember thinking the car was like a spaceship. He had these fluffy sheepskin seat covers, which I still don't understand why you would ever have in Hawaiian climates.
He decided the car was too small and too dangerous to drive around a kid in everyday. So he sold it to his buddy in 99. I think the car at the time had around 40~50k miles and he sold it for about $7-9K.
Since then, the car has been sitting around in the jungles of Hawaii. I remember hearing from the guy that the rats ate up the wiring harness, or it didnt start so he didnt drive it around.... I kept on trying to buy it, but he would never sell the damn car, even if the thing was sitting for years.
Well I'm graduating with a engineering degree this year, and my dad asks me "what do you want as a graduation gift."
Instant reply: "Your old Rx-7...."
Well the guy decided it was time to sell it..... and I finally got the car I've been trying to buy for the last 10 years.


Current Condition:
The car has been sitting in one of the wettest climates in the world since about 2000. It's going to need some major work.
Currently has about 55k miles.
Here's the 1st photos I've received before the car left the seller's house



https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...13de8f51c3.jpg
1st photos 1/4

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...cb159db625.jpg
1st photos 2/4

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...a0a3d81cd5.jpg
1st photos 3/4

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...65774a5626.jpg
1st photos 4/4



Found a shipping broker to send a non running car to Hayward CA and currently on a boat.
Unfortunately, the car was no where near the standard to pass the agricultural inspection, so had to pay the only mobile detailer to come and really do some magic.
The guy said rats lived in the car and ate the wiring harness, that was the least of problems....

Subbed for this build journey. Hope she gets back to her true glory days

I got my buddy to take a few photos and do a quick cleaning on the car. Found out there's a fern growing in the car...
Fortunately the plants that were growing only fed on the leather seats and carpet, and did not actually grow through the floor boards. The limited amount of underchassis that he could see due to the flat tires, said there is very limited rust which is also good news.
The mobile detailer sent me some images of the damage etc.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...9c52bc3728.png
Moldy Door Panels

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...99faf67821.png
Apparently the passenger side leaks.....

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...ed5d81f3ef.png
an actual rats nest... in the rats nest...

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c7bb69bc6b.png
not just a dozen rats... but also 1 dead mongoose.

The mobile detailer did an amazing job... lets just say i paid as much for the cleaning as I did for the car...
I was thinking I needed to replace the carpet and panels, but from the looks of these photos he's sent over they might be reasonably usable still!! Still need to find some leather seats however.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...5d261f50c9.png
door panel is saved!!!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...84fa52d51a.png
its actually shiney.....


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...b150b41100.png
headliner might be saved!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...0df9a1d598.png
the carpet is an insane improvement.... i cant believe he cleaned it.

I'm lost for words. I"ll be keeping an eye out though. Lord have mercy

The boat arrived from Hilo Hawaii to San Diego yesterday. Unfortunately I live in Northern California. So the car is going to be towed and be arriving Monday.

I've been slowly collecting go fast parts for the car...
So far:
-Pettit Racing Downpipe
-Pettit Racing Y-pipe
-Pettit Racing BOV kit
-HKS Intake
-Fluidyne Radiator
-Greddy Turbo Timer
-Greddy Ti muffler (needs a little repair)
-Apexi Tmax shocks
-SS Clutch Line

Since I have one more final exam left on next Thursday, Friday I will be cleaning out the fuel lines and tank, installing battery, and seeing if the car will start. Probably soak the rotors in Marvel Mystery oil before hand and hand crank it as well.

wow !! I want to know who the hell is your detailer

Insanely awesome. I wish I could help!

subscribed

Actual rats making a rats nest in the rats nest. Subscribed

The girlfriend got a call while I was in bed this morning around 6am.
"we are are 5mins away from your house...."
"wait what.... its Thursday, your supposed to deliver on Monday."

Anyway, the car is here... The Mega Project.
Interior is surprisingly clean due to the amazing detailer.
A good bit of rust on nuts and bolts and accessory brackets. Only major rust concern is a wart on the outer quarter panel and the driver wheel well is rotted through. everything else seems to be a minor surface rust.

Plugged the jumper pack in, and surprise surprise, the headlight motors moved! yay!! some sign of life. Unfortunately, the dash lights are non responsive with the battery pack. Checked the main 120A fuse, its blown. Checked oil, dirty but nothing out of the ordinary. No coolant whatsoever in the car. Added some distilled water and started leaking from somewhere near the lower coolant hose. Probably a cracked hose or radiator.

The next step will be to start tossing some of the interior bits and parts that need replacing. Maybe do a large fastener order through Mcmaster Carr to replace all the rusty ones. The pulleys seems to be quite rusty, so i would like to replace them before trying to start the engine. I only have a aftermarket main pulley, but it does not support power steering. So need to order some aftermarket pulleys etc. Maybe decide to pull the AC compressor while I'm at it.

There really seems no point for this car to go back to a clean stock look, so I've decided to go the "streetable" racecar direction. Still make it clean, but without all the overpriced factory interior bits etc.

Also major thanks to my girlfriend Amanda! Without her help, the car would have never made it here!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...007f8c3649.jpg
Wooo its here!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...69ebbba41d.jpg
Some rusty brackets, but everything seems in order. Some rat remains in the rats nest, in the rats nest.....
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...178e48dc44.jpg
only major concern for rust repair. Rear Driver wheel well. Should be about to cut out and repair later down the line.

Wow! This is quite the undertaking; it might be worthwhile for you to get a sandblasting cabinet. Good luck with this, you're on the right track with the "streetable racecar" plan, a complete restoration will be very expensive.

I have access to a sandblasting cabinet at Tech Shop.
So one of the first things to do is: Almost complete disassembly, sandblast and powder-coat all rusty brackets. Would love to soda blast the underside of the car, but I don't think my neighbors would appreciate it...

I've recently found out that non sunroof roof skins are still available, so might consider that since the glass sunroof is useless due to complete rotting of the integral brackets.
I was almost considering doing a Post-Apocalyptic car! hahaha

So... when are we going to strip the car down? :egrin:

Facebook brought me here! Lol. Good luck Kai and hope I can check it out soon.

subbed! Goodluck with the build!

Pulled out the old battery, intercooler, box etc.
Revealed some more rust areas that have to be repaired, shouldn't be terrible.
Plan for rust:
1) wire brush and sand paper to remove majority of rust on surface.
2) Acid neutralize the rust
3) Seal the area using epoxy primer until car will be painted at a later date.
Some areas will need to be patched or welded, but majority is surface rust.


I replaced the 120A main fuse and the dash lights and beeps now work! woo~ electronics are not completely dead.
Removed the spark plugs and currently soaking the chamber in Marvel Mystery Oil before hand cranking in a few days.

I would like to clean out the fuel tank, but I cant get the damn hatch to open... tried the key and the lever... i just need to remove the trim from the inside and see if i can unlatch it.
The alternator needs to be replaced since it's seized, and will end up removing the airpump, ac and power steering later down the line.

I had a coral fall out of the car today.... i guess it rode here all the way from Hawaii..... https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...e0f294ca3.jpeg
car runs on... coral..?

Insane. Subscribed.

Wow! It's going to be a big project but I love stories where people find THE CAR that started it all for them and bring it back to life. Such a shame that someone let it sit and rot in the elements for so long.

Few recommendations -

- I would pull and rebuild the motor. That will also give you a chance to really go through the engine bay. There is no WAY that motor is going to be good. It may not have broken seals but most likely the water seals or oil seals are shot, rotors are rusty, etc. No sense trying to fix everything around the engine, get it running, then have it barfing coolant.

- Gas tank is likely done, it's probably full of rust. You MAY be able to do one of those gas tank rust repairs but I'd probably get a good used or new tank.

- Under the dash will need to be carefully gone through, if vermin were in the car you quite possibly have chewed wiring or insulation under the dash, maybe even rat/bug nests.

Yes, this is a LOT. Don't get too carried away and try to do everything at the same time. Pick a project, get it done, move to the next thing. Be VERY careful if you try to do anything electrical, with chewed wiring it's real easy for something to short out and the car to catch fire. Keep a fire extinguisher handy!

Take advantage of local rotorheads and the forum for help, we're here for you!

Dale

pretty sure that the engine will need to be rebuilt,

but

its a Mazda with 40k on it, i bet you it fires right up and runs.

I won't have any real updates until I try cranking the engine Friday. I'm expecting the engine to be bad, but doesn't hurt to try see if it idles.
Found some more rust spots that I need to try fixing or supporting (weld) later down the line.
Considering getting a non-sunroof skin to not deal with the rust from the leaky glass sunroof.
Direction is street able Race car:
- no carpet (truck liner or POR15)
- no AC
- no airpump
- maybe remove power steering
- unsure on the dash, stock or aluminum.

Current plan is:
1) remove interior and toss anything not usable.
2) remove and seal all rust on chassis, and determine which parts need to be reinforced with new metal.
3) if engine is bad, pull engine and prep the engine bay for paint. Powder coat all needed accessory brackets as well.

There is ALWAYS a tractor! Anyone that has cars sitting around in their back yard, on the porch, wherever, also has some broken ass tractor sitting with it. :lol::lol:

Atleast the tractor had a cover on it!!!! :tear:

I love resurrection ! This one is a long shot , don't give up ! 👌

Wow...good luck to you...