1985 GS hardtop: Let's prove my wife wrong and get this running.
10-03-13, 08:49 PM
#1
1985 GS hardtop: Let's prove my wife wrong and get this running.
I've had a couple RX-7s like 8-12 years ago; they were hard to keep going, having to pass emissions, so they got sold. I told myself I'd eventually get another one and I did - towed this emissions-exempt '85 GS roller home last weekend.
My wife says it will never run, but I intend to defy her. It "only" needs.... just about everything that makes it go. An engine, intake, exhaust, transmission, and a new rear end.
BUT LOOK HOW STRAIGHT IT IS. You're looking at the worst part of the paint, at the trailing edge of the fender and leading edge of the door. I think I can buff this and make it shine. I've had two RX-7s before, both of which had some problems on the unibody; this one's is straight. Came with the radiator, fan, FMOC, driveshaft, and those sweet Enkei-alike wheels. Bonus hard top - lighter, more head room, no bullshit leaks, and marginally stiffer? Bonus never had power steering; big wheel and shorter ratio - perfect.
Interior-wise, it's there but a little dirty. Only things missing are hatch carpet and floor mats. Worst case, I'll find a low-pyle remnant and cut to fit for the hatch.
After putting a little effort into the finish, I'm looking for GSL rear end, a trans, and a (seeing as they don't make 12a housings anymore) 13b engine w/ some sort of carburetor. Wish me luck.
My wife says it will never run, but I intend to defy her. It "only" needs.... just about everything that makes it go. An engine, intake, exhaust, transmission, and a new rear end.
BUT LOOK HOW STRAIGHT IT IS. You're looking at the worst part of the paint, at the trailing edge of the fender and leading edge of the door. I think I can buff this and make it shine. I've had two RX-7s before, both of which had some problems on the unibody; this one's is straight. Came with the radiator, fan, FMOC, driveshaft, and those sweet Enkei-alike wheels. Bonus hard top - lighter, more head room, no bullshit leaks, and marginally stiffer? Bonus never had power steering; big wheel and shorter ratio - perfect.
Interior-wise, it's there but a little dirty. Only things missing are hatch carpet and floor mats. Worst case, I'll find a low-pyle remnant and cut to fit for the hatch.
After putting a little effort into the finish, I'm looking for GSL rear end, a trans, and a (seeing as they don't make 12a housings anymore) 13b engine w/ some sort of carburetor. Wish me luck.
10-04-13, 12:29 AM
#4
I can contribute to this thread! Ah, it's a red one. I thought it was cream colored.
So you need a tranny too, eh? They usually go for like 50 bucks used.
Are you going to go for a direct fire ignition of some sort? Ever tried DLIDFIS? It's great. That's all I have to say.
Good thing you have a rad and oil cooler. But do you need a waterpump?
After you get the RB front mount bar, I'd recommend hockey puck motor mounts. They are like 60% stiffer than stock. Or you could get competition mounts from RB/MZTX which are advertised as being 40% stiffer. But even new OEMs will be stiffer than nearly 30 year old mounts.
You also need a tranny mount. hint hint Competition hint hint. However I do have a race prepped one with a through-bolt. I test drove it in the white REPU and it wasn't terrible. But now it has a new competition but I have yet to test drive it as I'm pulling the fresh rebuilt 6 port soon. Anyway it does also have hockey puck motor mounts. They're really nice and not hokey at all! The engine vibrations are really quite miminal. Infact worn mounts can transfer more vibes believe it or not.
How's the fuel pump? Tank?
So you need a tranny too, eh? They usually go for like 50 bucks used.
Are you going to go for a direct fire ignition of some sort? Ever tried DLIDFIS? It's great. That's all I have to say.
Good thing you have a rad and oil cooler. But do you need a waterpump?
After you get the RB front mount bar, I'd recommend hockey puck motor mounts. They are like 60% stiffer than stock. Or you could get competition mounts from RB/MZTX which are advertised as being 40% stiffer. But even new OEMs will be stiffer than nearly 30 year old mounts.
You also need a tranny mount. hint hint Competition hint hint. However I do have a race prepped one with a through-bolt. I test drove it in the white REPU and it wasn't terrible. But now it has a new competition but I have yet to test drive it as I'm pulling the fresh rebuilt 6 port soon. Anyway it does also have hockey puck motor mounts. They're really nice and not hokey at all! The engine vibrations are really quite miminal. Infact worn mounts can transfer more vibes believe it or not.
How's the fuel pump? Tank?
10-04-13, 12:00 PM
#7
Haven't checked the pump and tank, it wouldn't surprise me if it needs a new pump. I hope the tank doesn't leak. Really, I've just gotten it home just in time for it to rain all week. Going to take some simple green to the engine bay and some polishing compound to the body this weekend if weather cooperates (gray and dry?).
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10-04-13, 04:28 PM
#8
i'm liking the hardtop.
once u get the polishing done and it looks good when it's "gray"...imagine once the sun comes out on those special days...lol (i've been to redmond and out of 4 weeks i was there, i only saw the sun once...but boy was it beautiful).
once u get the polishing done and it looks good when it's "gray"...imagine once the sun comes out on those special days...lol (i've been to redmond and out of 4 weeks i was there, i only saw the sun once...but boy was it beautiful).
10-07-13, 11:32 AM
#9
I have some Meguiars polishing compound left over from painting my motorcycle, so I tried it on the faded RX7 paint. Shines up real nice. Next dry day I get, it's getting a full polish and wax. Not going to be perfect, but for 237k mi it will look real nice.
The door and fender will need a respray or replacement. I think chances are good I can find red replacement panels though.
The door and fender will need a respray or replacement. I think chances are good I can find red replacement panels though.
10-13-13, 02:48 PM
#14
You just can't see all the rock chips from there 
The wax will keep those sealed until i'm motivated with touch up paint. Still have damaged paint to deal with on the driver side. wet sanding seems to be effective but i'm taking a lot of red off.
The wax will keep those sealed until i'm motivated with touch up paint. Still have damaged paint to deal with on the driver side. wet sanding seems to be effective but i'm taking a lot of red off.
12-16-13, 10:16 AM
#20
On Saturday I picked up the engine, clutch, trans, small-flange prop shaft, and an '81 GSL rear end functionally complete from caliper to caliper. I think that completes the list of stuff I need to start it and move it under its own power.
I still need to find an exhaust and a better carb setup. I think I'm going to keep my eye out for a Dellorto.
I still need to find an exhaust and a better carb setup. I think I'm going to keep my eye out for a Dellorto.
12-30-13, 11:41 AM
#22
I found a great deal on a '83 stock exhaust w/ gutted cats, so I am going to run that setup until I can save up for some RB components.
I don't have a place to put the car together, so now I am on a waiting list for a 10x20 storage unit.
I don't have a place to put the car together, so now I am on a waiting list for a 10x20 storage unit.
01-19-14, 01:03 PM
#23
Finally got some garage space squared away. Car is up, hood off, wheels off.
Transmission SCRUBBED clean, looks fantastic (BUT FOR HOW LONG). I can't believe there was nice white aluminum under all the road grime and oil haha. I'm missing one of the rubber grommet doodads for the transmission crossbar so I got a stack of rubber washers at Lowes.
Inspecting the rear end that came on the car: dead. Makes a nasty grinding noise when I turn it, from the center section. Good thing I was particular about wanting a LSD/discs unit and found one.
There is surprisingly little rust on this car. Very happy with that.
Considering getting new shocks/struts and springs for this while I have everything apart. What's a good budget combo to get me some good street comfort and performance?
Transmission SCRUBBED clean, looks fantastic (BUT FOR HOW LONG). I can't believe there was nice white aluminum under all the road grime and oil haha. I'm missing one of the rubber grommet doodads for the transmission crossbar so I got a stack of rubber washers at Lowes.
Inspecting the rear end that came on the car: dead. Makes a nasty grinding noise when I turn it, from the center section. Good thing I was particular about wanting a LSD/discs unit and found one.
There is surprisingly little rust on this car. Very happy with that.
Considering getting new shocks/struts and springs for this while I have everything apart. What's a good budget combo to get me some good street comfort and performance?
01-26-14, 08:57 PM
#25
Transmission went in today. That was a bit of a faff. Used two jacks, took some wiggling and muscling into place but it's in. Front is hanging from a tie-down strap waiting for an engine to go on it.
The front seal on the transmission was kind of a pain to do. The old one just disintegrated, and I scratched where it sits trying to extract it... but I left it up on the bell housing last night and nothing dripped out of the shaft. Going to flush the gearbox oil on this one, the stuff behind the cover was gross.
The front seal on the transmission was kind of a pain to do. The old one just disintegrated, and I scratched where it sits trying to extract it... but I left it up on the bell housing last night and nothing dripped out of the shaft. Going to flush the gearbox oil on this one, the stuff behind the cover was gross.