79’ SA Complete Restoration Thread
 

Hi all, I wanted to introduce myself and my 79 Rx7. I bought the car about a month ago and plan to do a total restoration and tasteful modernization for drivability. The 12a is locked up, I’ve tried the ATF treatment for carbon lock to no avail. I plan to do a 13b swap anyway but I will be pulling the engine soon to do a tear down and see what’s salvageable. I’ve posted some pics below of the car when I got it to where it stands now. I’m brand new to rotary life but I look forward to talking with everyone and learning along the way. Glad to be part of the community!https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...fceff3019.jpeg


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Welcome!!! The car definitely has potential and a 13B would be a nice choice for the car! Do you know any of the car's history?

Not much about it unfortunately though the guy I bought it from claims to be the second owner and to had personally know the original owner. Odometer reads 92000 and as for now I believe that to be accurate. Almost all the parts for it are still here and it’s bone stock original. No rot anywhere other than some small pinholes at the bottom of the rear quarter panel and a bit of rust on a couple other spots. Overall though a solid car.

Engine removed
 

Floor jack and a good heave ho and she was outta there by hand!


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Motor Disassembled
 

Got the engine torn apart, rear rotor and housing looks great, front apex seals look significantly worn and the rotor housing looks even worse.
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Got full potencial
 

All done under 12 months!!!!

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Hi I just post some pictures from my 1980 restoration here I drop this one for motivation!!!

That’s awesome man, the car looks fantastic. I’d love to be able to get this done in 10 months, I think physically I could manage that but we’ll have to wait and see if the paycheck is in favor lol

Cleaning has Begun.
 

Cleaned up engine bay and preparing for body work.
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You are making some excellent progress!! I have a feeling this will be a beautiful car once again! Glad you are already rolling on the body work!!

Thank you! And yes I have started stripping some of the old paint down and starting to lay down some primer on the rear.
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Definitely keep up the good work!!! You are doing amazing things with that car! Are you still planning on a 13B swap?

Sorry for the late reply, been fairly busy this week lol but yes I will be doing a 13b swap, thinking of grabbing one from an RX-8 and doing a few mods, I’ll probably keep it N/A but may consider a turbo set up if it fits my budget lol. Here are some updates pics, been stripping what’s left of the body off and starting to strip out the old sound dampening material
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More stripping in progress
 

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Subscribed. It’s great to see theses cars getting the full treatment. I got some dry ice from NORCO, saved my butt in labor. My 1980 is coming home from paint this Friday. Details in my sig. Are you keeping factory color?
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Dry Ice sized as Rice
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Dry ice is nice
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Nothing witty here.

Thanks man! And yes it will remain the original color, will have to try the dry ice, thus far I’ve just been using a scraper and a hammer lol.

I have done the sound reading abatement twice. once about 18 years ago on a cold January morning in the single digits. I believe I spent $20-30 for the dry ice.

Rx7 1979
 

Hi A.Burk hard93, I am amaze to see your project. I have a 1979 RX7 for over 10 years, I got from a farmer in Virginia, the car needs some body work, the floor is rusted needs new floor pan. I was able to rebuild the engine (street ported) and update the alternator from a 1984 RX7. There has been work than by the previous owner on the electrical system with some flows.
I would like to get in touch with you. If you can send me an e-mail please, at vlaexp@verizon.net.
Thank you,
Ranita RX7