85 SE radiator resurrection
05-13-17, 09:43 PM
#101
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
I'm slow. Ok dupli as is in "duplicate " ..color as in original paint that is oe look but a high temp for the application (?)
the orange/red silicone ...is it a standard I can get at a zone, o Reilly or advance. ?Sorry I'm new at this but I'm learning ..
the orange/red silicone ...is it a standard I can get at a zone, o Reilly or advance. ?Sorry I'm new at this but I'm learning ..
05-13-17, 09:43 PM
#102
ancient wizard...
See my above post about radiator...if you have to buy a replacement,then you have to. My opinion as stated in last post,oe radiator is very good quality. A reputable radiator shop should be able to disassemble,evaluate,clean,resolder,flow test and repaint it. You now have a 100% new radiator and peace of mind that goes with it. My first choice over a relacement. 180 degree bypass type t-stat is good. Kansas Citys' water pump advice is sound,i like to use even less rtv,just enough of a smear to show some color,just enogh to hold gasket in place for assembly. This is one of those situations where more is not better.
05-13-17, 09:48 PM
#103
ancient wizard...
You can get the hi temp rtv at pretty much any parts store. If you want to paint the radiator yourself,after reconditioning,mention it to guy at rad shop. Certainly he'll accomodate you. Yes on the duplicolor hi temp paint.
05-13-17, 09:48 PM
#104
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
See my above post about radiator...if you have to buy a replacement,then you have to. My opinion as stated in last post,oe radiator is very good quality. A reputable radiator shop should be able to disassemble,evaluate,clean,resolder,flow test and repaint it. You now have a 100% new radiator and peace of mind that goes with it. My first choice over a relacement. 180 degree bypass type t-stat is good. Kansas Citys' water pump advice is sound,i like to use even less rtv,just enough of a smear to show some color,just enogh to hold gasket in place for assembly. This is one of those situations where more is not better.
05-13-17, 09:59 PM
#105
ancient wizard...
May have been one of threads i posted in. I believe the cast iron impeller like oe flows best(strictly my opinion,not shared by others). I had a Mazda new replacement pump develop a squeaky bearing with less than 5k miles on it,but to be fair,in that same timeframe had a fan clutch lock up which likely had an effect on the premature wear. Pump still worked,no leaks but had a squeak at idle that bugged me til i replaced it...with another. Hasn't been many miles but squeak is gone. Mazda still sells the oe pump.
05-14-17, 07:42 AM
#106
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
May have been one of threads i posted in. I believe the cast iron impeller like oe flows best(strictly my opinion,not shared by others). I had a Mazda new replacement pump develop a squeaky bearing with less than 5k miles on it,but to be fair,in that same timeframe had a fan clutch lock up which likely had an effect on the premature wear. Pump still worked,no leaks but had a squeak at idle that bugged me til i replaced it...with another. Hasn't been many miles but squeak is gone. Mazda still sells the oe pump.
05-14-17, 07:51 AM
#107
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Mike one more thing. I can't imagine many people alive that worked on more rx7's than yourself. Working as a mechanic in a Mazda Dealer during the 80's speaks for itself. We only talked a while but what were you driving at the show? Maybe I saw it!?
05-14-17, 08:48 AM
#108
ancient wizard...
Paul,i'm in Rising Sun Maryland. In northeastern corner of state,can see Pa. from my kitchen window & about 12 miles to Delaware state line. To give some perspective on distance,took about 12 hours to get to DGRR.
Last edited by GSLSEforme; 05-14-17 at 08:52 AM.
05-14-17, 09:06 AM
#109
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Paul,the oe radiator is well made and is very effective at keeping the engine cool. If yours is not corroded,consider having it professionally gone through. Mine at 137k is original,though in late 90s i had it to my friends' rad shop where he pulled it apart,cleaned and flushed the core and soldered all back together,tested and painted. He gave it a 100% bill of health. There were no leaks,i pulled it to replace oil cooler ruined by a bird strike & since it was out... now a good time to look at your oil cooler mounts,the rubber part in particular. If one of these fails,the cooler drops down a bit and rubs on sway bar til it rubs a hole in it-seen it on a couple SE cars. While on subject of oil cooler, the foam seal that goes on bottom radiator/oil cooler area gets a little rotted on some cars. I have used the foam intended for sealing window air conditioner units successfully on several cars. This seals against belly pan so all air coming in the front of car at grille opening goes thru radiator/oil cooler instead of around it
05-14-17, 09:19 AM
#110
ancient wizard...
Paul,80's was a long time ago. Worked on entire Mazda lineup,lots of RXs as a line tech,team leader,then shop foreman. Owner of dealership was a rotary fanatic who campaigned our REPU parts delivery truck at local dragstrip. My SE at the time of DGRR was about to get its first color coat at my friend's body/paint shop. I had hoped to bring it to my 1st DGRR but timeline was not in my favor. I'm a big fan of doing it right,once. Don't like to rush and get results that are less than expected,also wrestling with health issues and lastly,an almost 3 month ordeal with insurance company trying to prevent them totaling and then finally paying for repairs from an incident that happened nearly a year ago. While this was going on the car just sat,had recently invested quite a bit of money and time in it and did not want to proceed if there was a chance i'd lose the car. You can go back to last May and find my"Well,it finally happened" thread if interested in the whole story. Couple cell phone pics..
Last edited by GSLSEforme; 05-14-17 at 09:40 AM.
05-14-17, 09:30 AM
#111
ancient wizard...
So...drove my daily driver to DGRR,a sleeper,90 Buick Regal with recently reworked suspension,brakes with a couple hundred pounds of tools and stuff in the trunk...on the dragon,lol. The dragon part wasn't intentional,i drove to Addicted Performance Friday for their open house,plugged address into my phone and the dragon was part of the route. For what it is,the car accorded itself pretty well. Always wanted to drive the dragon in my RX,never thought my 1st time would be in the Buick,was enjoyable but really can't wait to run it in the SE. Next year hopefully. P.S. told my buddy about it,we had a good laugh. Couple days later he texted me a pic he pulled off the internet of me/and car on the dragon. Look on Killboy website for 4/28/17,yep there's the old guy in the Buick cutting corners,lol.
Last edited by GSLSEforme; 05-14-17 at 09:51 AM.
05-14-17, 12:07 PM
#112
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
So...drove my daily driver to DGRR,a sleeper,90 Buick Regal with recently reworked suspension,brakes with a couple hundred pounds of tools and stuff in the trunk...on the dragon,lol. The dragon part wasn't intentional,i drove to Addicted Performance Friday for their open house,plugged address into my phone and the dragon was part of the route. For what it is,the car accorded itself pretty well. Always wanted to drive the dragon in my RX,never thought my 1st time would be in the Buick,was enjoyable but really can't wait to run it in the SE. Next year hopefully. P.S. told my buddy about it,we had a good laugh. Couple days later he texted me a pic he pulled off the internet of me/and car on the dragon. Look on Killboy website for 4/28/17,yep there's the old guy in the Buick cutting corners,lol.
05-14-17, 12:25 PM
#113
Banned
iTrader: (40)
Awesome Story!!! I just read thru the entire thread!!! I actually spoke to you at Fontana Dam (the blue rx3 guy). So sorry you had a tough time!! i wish i would have known... I had tools and i also had my truck and car trailer!! could have atleast saved you the roll back bill... hind site i guess.
so glad your enjoying that Award Winning SE!! 2nd place feels pretty good!!! I also won 2nd place in my class, i totally understand the feeling and the pride!! Im only sorry i wasnt around to help you when you were having troubles.
so glad your enjoying that Award Winning SE!! 2nd place feels pretty good!!! I also won 2nd place in my class, i totally understand the feeling and the pride!! Im only sorry i wasnt around to help you when you were having troubles.
05-14-17, 12:44 PM
#114
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Awesome Story!!! I just read thru the entire thread!!! I actually spoke to you at Fontana Dam (the blue rx3 guy). So sorry you had a tough time!! i wish i would have known... I had tools and i also had my truck and car trailer!! could have atleast saved you the roll back bill... hind site i guess.
so glad your enjoying that Award Winning SE!! 2nd place feels pretty good!!! I also won 2nd place in my class, i totally understand the feeling and the pride!! Im only sorry i wasnt around to help you when you were having troubles.
so glad your enjoying that Award Winning SE!! 2nd place feels pretty good!!! I also won 2nd place in my class, i totally understand the feeling and the pride!! Im only sorry i wasnt around to help you when you were having troubles.
05-14-17, 02:00 PM
#116
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Mike. The manual says I have to remove the air pump. Doesn't look that way to me. The belt yes. The drive pulley yes, fan hub assembly yes..I'm wondering if I will need a press or bearing puller to get that pulley off the water pump shaft(?)
05-14-17, 02:46 PM
#117
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Well I'm learning the hard way as usual. I just realized the alternator has to be removed to get to the coolant hose that feeds from below the water inlet at tstat to the over around and to the throttle body area. That's a nice little surprise..
05-14-17, 04:40 PM
#118
ancient wizard...
Water pump,pulleys,etc
Paul,the fan hub is held to pump snout by 4 bolts you see after you remove 4 nuts that hold fan clutch. Fan adapter & pulley have been on pump since Japan 32+ yrs ago & likely stuck. Lightly tap water pump pulley with plastic hammer or rubber mallet,you should see a gap open up between adapter and pulley. Spray a bit of rust penetrant into the gap,let it sit for a minute or so then tap & wiggle the pulley/adapter off. The two are likely corroded to each other and pump snout,you'll get them off.
05-14-17, 04:47 PM
#119
OEM is always best if you can get and afford it. Not sure of availability of the OEM water pump.
Looks like mazda trix carriers the OEM water pump. All 1975-1985 12A/13B water pumps are the same. Part number 15-130C-N232 $80.90
RockAuto is a good supplier. They carry all kinds of different brands. Their shipping can be high.
Looks like mazda trix carriers the OEM water pump. All 1975-1985 12A/13B water pumps are the same. Part number 15-130C-N232 $80.90
RockAuto is a good supplier. They carry all kinds of different brands. Their shipping can be high.
Last edited by KansasCityREPU; 05-14-17 at 04:50 PM.
05-14-17, 04:57 PM
#120
ancient wizard...
Alternator removal?
If you're replacing pump/t-stat no need to remove alternator,unless you're replacing that hose you're speaking of. You will have to remove the alt tensioner bracket. You can remove the bolts/nuts on water pump(8?) & tap water pump hub to break seal of pump to front cover. Be certain if any gasket material left on front cover,t-stat neck and housing you remove it. Single edge razor blade works well. Resist the urge to sand or grind gasket off with 3M discs or the like,they'll clean the gasket off but can very quickly damage sealing surfaces. One last thing,if you feel you need to remove alternator,disconnect negative battery terminal and position cable such that it can't touch battery post while you have things apart. This one little step may not seem obvious but prevents misery and unnecessary repair expenses. Typing this from my phone,will send you a pm when get a few minutes.
05-14-17, 07:21 PM
#122
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Well it finally happened
Mike I read the whole thing. So you still didn't have your car ready for DGRR. You've waited a long time for that much damage to be repaired.
05-14-17, 07:39 PM
#123
Rotary Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Kansas!! Much thanks. Your info if very helpful. Mazdatrix may be the place. Just paid 146.00 for all the water hoses I needed. I already had the upper lower rad hoses. I'm hoping the entire wp kit includes gaskets. I'd think it does.
05-14-17, 07:41 PM
#124
Banned
iTrader: (40)