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85 GSL SE starting point

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Old 02-24-20, 08:22 AM
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85 GSL SE starting point

Just picked up the 85 GSL SE. My plans are to restore her as best I can back to original condition. From what I have been told not many GSL SE Were sold and 85. So I would like to try and make it as original as I can. Car fax came back clean.....but due to the age who knows it’s early life. Here is a list in things at this point of things I found in the first 82 hours.

1. Possible rear end needs to be rebuilt. Still need to full test it. Should know this week.
2. OMP has been removed, will reinstall one when found.
3. Rear wiper are replaced
4. New interior as it seems front seat have be redone. ( cloth not leather). Carpet in trunk area is ripped.
5. steering column plastic replaced (missing)

I’m new to RX-7’s so I’m sure as I go I will find more things that have been replaced or missing. These are just the few things I can see at this point. Hope everyone enjoys the journey with me. Here are some pictures of the car as it sits.

Pictures We’re taken at the owner’s house that I purchased it from the 79 SA is his not mine.











Old 02-24-20, 12:47 PM
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Welcome to the forum,car looks in fair condition.Any rust on it that you can see.Look in rear fenderwell,remove storage bin behind seats and look at inside of fenderwell. This area known for gathering rust in these cars.
Why do you say rear end needs to be rebuilt?
Old 02-24-20, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by GSLSEforme
Welcome to the forum,car looks in fair condition.Any rust on it that you can see.Look in rear fenderwell,remove storage bin behind seats and look at inside of fenderwell. This area known for gathering rust in these cars.
Why do you say rear end needs to be rebuilt?
Thank you for that information. I will check it out after work. Have a clunking sound when the car is In Drive. Sounds like a flat tire. I have no play in the drive line. So I’m going to disconnect the drive line, spin the tire and see if the noise is still present. I don’t see any marks that the drive line is hitting something else. So just going threw Process of illumination.
Old 02-24-20, 01:04 PM
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Also no rust that I could find while inspecting it. Since I’m new to RX-7’s I didn’t know all the trouble areas. So fingers crossed I don’t find cancer. If so, time to do some body work.
Old 02-24-20, 05:26 PM
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Does the noise sound like it's coming from back of car,can you tell which side?
Old 02-24-20, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by GSLSEforme
Does the noise sound like it's coming from back of car,can you tell which side?

Rear passenger side.
Old 02-24-20, 06:31 PM
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1st guess,axle bearing. How many miles on car?
Old 02-24-20, 06:54 PM
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Toms a great guy. Talked to him a bunch. You got a great starting point there
Old 02-24-20, 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by GSLSEforme
1st guess,axle bearing. How many miles on car?
166,000 miles
Old 02-24-20, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by 84rtaryrcket
Toms a great guy. Talked to him a bunch. You got a great starting point there
Tom has been wonderful. He was sending me every RX7 he found that was for sale. Then he called with this one. I am excited.
Old 02-24-20, 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Sean Selliken
166,000 miles
I'd plan on replacing axle bearing/seals both sides. To get to that mileage they'll have been replaced at least once. You can hear the right side,may not be able to hear the left side-yet,but may when you get rid of noise on right.
Good time to change the diff oil. Swim a magnet around in what is drained for evidence of metal shrapnel. Be sure to add friction modifier on refill.
Old 02-24-20, 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by GSLSEforme
I'd plan on replacing axle bearing/seals both sides. To get to that mileage they'll have been replaced at least once. You can hear the right side,may not be able to hear the left side-yet,but may when you get rid of noise on right.
Good time to change the diff oil. Swim a magnet around in what is drained for evidence of metal shrapnel. Be sure to add friction modifier on refill.
Thank you so much! I will start with that. I will let you know how it goes. I appreciate all the advice.
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