New RX-7 Project (not 56k friendly)
10-16-11, 06:49 PM
#1
New RX-7 Project (not 56k friendly)
I bought an 85 GSL on Friday afternoon. Started work on it Saturday. Just cleaning it up and checking over the body and so on and so fourth. Have been trying to get another 7 for a few months now that I finally have a garage, and I think I've got the perfect car for the Job.
My original plan was to instantly strip the interior and start pulling up the tar paper and everything inside, but the interior is so nice, I'm going to focus on getting it running then try to start working on some mods. I know I'm going to run RB springs and Tokico Illumina struts. Planning on putting in a TII tranny, but not positive what I want engine-wise yet. I'm debating on a TII engine, or going with a carbed 13b. I was considering a fuel injected 13b, but seems like I'll get better performance out of a carbed one, and if I'm going to go fuel injected, I might as well go with a TII engine.
First things first are getting the car on the street though, then I can start worrying about an engine, getting it rebuilt and dropping it in.
This is it from Saturday morning around 12:45
I started vacuuming, pulled out the old floor mats, removed the seats, vacuumed under the sound proofing, under the spare, in the storage bins and all the trim and under the dash I could reach.
The rear left tail light was cracked, but thankfully I was given one with the car, so I swapped them out. Had to pup the old rubber seal off with a flat head screwdriver.
Managed to get the new light in and everything is connected. Haven't tested the bulbs because I don't have a battery yet, but it does have 4 bulbs.
My original plan was to instantly strip the interior and start pulling up the tar paper and everything inside, but the interior is so nice, I'm going to focus on getting it running then try to start working on some mods. I know I'm going to run RB springs and Tokico Illumina struts. Planning on putting in a TII tranny, but not positive what I want engine-wise yet. I'm debating on a TII engine, or going with a carbed 13b. I was considering a fuel injected 13b, but seems like I'll get better performance out of a carbed one, and if I'm going to go fuel injected, I might as well go with a TII engine.
First things first are getting the car on the street though, then I can start worrying about an engine, getting it rebuilt and dropping it in.
This is it from Saturday morning around 12:45
I started vacuuming, pulled out the old floor mats, removed the seats, vacuumed under the sound proofing, under the spare, in the storage bins and all the trim and under the dash I could reach.
The rear left tail light was cracked, but thankfully I was given one with the car, so I swapped them out. Had to pup the old rubber seal off with a flat head screwdriver.
Managed to get the new light in and everything is connected. Haven't tested the bulbs because I don't have a battery yet, but it does have 4 bulbs.
10-16-11, 06:51 PM
#2
Dropped the drivers seat back in, put the sun roof back on and started cleaning the dash and plastic trim inside.
Finally pushed the car from my garage behind my house back to the front to wash it.
Seems at though the sunroof leaks and a bit around the doors, but other than that it seems like it's sealed up pretty tight. Guessing the drains around the sun roof are plugged up. Not too big of a problem right now since the car is indoors, but something I'll have to take care of later on.
It was about 6 when I finished. So around 5.5 hours of cleaning, but it's pretty spotless. I also vacuumed a bit in the engine bay. A lot of dirt and leaves and grass in there. It's cleaner, but still need some more work.
Today (Sunday) I didn't get much done. Just pulled off the hood, vacuumed some more leaves, and checked out the clutch master and slave cylinders. Didn't have time to try and bleed the clutch, but I have brake fluid. Brakes still have pressure and it doesn't look like the master cylinder is leaking. New fuel pump was in the engine bay to test the engine, which runs, but I still need to drop the gas tank and check it out as well as install a new carb and replace the fuel pump. I plan on pulling the rats nest while I have the carb off.
I'll keep posting as I get more done on the car. Hoping to have it running by next weekend as long as everything goes pretty smoothly.
Finally pushed the car from my garage behind my house back to the front to wash it.
Seems at though the sunroof leaks and a bit around the doors, but other than that it seems like it's sealed up pretty tight. Guessing the drains around the sun roof are plugged up. Not too big of a problem right now since the car is indoors, but something I'll have to take care of later on.
It was about 6 when I finished. So around 5.5 hours of cleaning, but it's pretty spotless. I also vacuumed a bit in the engine bay. A lot of dirt and leaves and grass in there. It's cleaner, but still need some more work.
Today (Sunday) I didn't get much done. Just pulled off the hood, vacuumed some more leaves, and checked out the clutch master and slave cylinders. Didn't have time to try and bleed the clutch, but I have brake fluid. Brakes still have pressure and it doesn't look like the master cylinder is leaking. New fuel pump was in the engine bay to test the engine, which runs, but I still need to drop the gas tank and check it out as well as install a new carb and replace the fuel pump. I plan on pulling the rats nest while I have the carb off.
I'll keep posting as I get more done on the car. Hoping to have it running by next weekend as long as everything goes pretty smoothly.
10-17-11, 06:27 PM
#5
Thanks guys.
I got out and pulled the radiator, fan and shroud out today. Pulled the fan to remove the rats nest. Decided I'd take out the entire radiator and give it a good cleaning as well while I was at it. Planning on checking/replacing the thermostat and radiator houses.
Still need to start pulling belts and taking off vacuum hoses, but I'm dreading it. At least a lot of them aren't going back on. Tomorrow I'll probably check the thermostat. No idea if the AC works or not. I was going to wait until it was running and see, then decided whether or not to pull it, but I may just go through with the inevitable and yank it out this week while the radiators out.
On the plus side I'm starting to be even happier with my choice to go with an FB over and FC since it's a lot simpler in the engine bay. When I replace the engine I think I might do a quick spray job inside to make it look a bit better for when I drop a clean block in. But that's a ways off still.
I got out and pulled the radiator, fan and shroud out today. Pulled the fan to remove the rats nest. Decided I'd take out the entire radiator and give it a good cleaning as well while I was at it. Planning on checking/replacing the thermostat and radiator houses.
Still need to start pulling belts and taking off vacuum hoses, but I'm dreading it. At least a lot of them aren't going back on. Tomorrow I'll probably check the thermostat. No idea if the AC works or not. I was going to wait until it was running and see, then decided whether or not to pull it, but I may just go through with the inevitable and yank it out this week while the radiators out.
On the plus side I'm starting to be even happier with my choice to go with an FB over and FC since it's a lot simpler in the engine bay. When I replace the engine I think I might do a quick spray job inside to make it look a bit better for when I drop a clean block in. But that's a ways off still.
10-18-11, 06:37 PM
#6
Not much done today. Just took off the air pump. Loosened the AC compressor, but not sure how to get the hoses off. Going to try to get it off tomorrow, then start on the rat's nest. Checked the Thermostat. Still pretty springy, so it should be good for now.
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10-19-11, 05:26 PM
#9
Thanks everyone.
I got out today set on pulling the A/C found online I should have the system professional evacuated, but when I checked if there was any pressure on the system, I got nothing. Not even a little his. So I pressed on the remove the AC.
I found an old bee or wasp nest in the car.
Eventually got everything out. Unfortunately, I don't have a wrench of any sort big enough to remove one of the hoses from the fire wall, So I have to buy one tomorrow. Other than that though, I just have the two hoses going into the firewall and the compress to remove, and the compressor is already unbolted and ready to come out.
Leaves plenty of room for a future oil cooler or intercooler if I decide to go turbo.
I got out today set on pulling the A/C found online I should have the system professional evacuated, but when I checked if there was any pressure on the system, I got nothing. Not even a little his. So I pressed on the remove the AC.
I found an old bee or wasp nest in the car.
Eventually got everything out. Unfortunately, I don't have a wrench of any sort big enough to remove one of the hoses from the fire wall, So I have to buy one tomorrow. Other than that though, I just have the two hoses going into the firewall and the compress to remove, and the compressor is already unbolted and ready to come out.
Leaves plenty of room for a future oil cooler or intercooler if I decide to go turbo.
10-19-11, 07:16 PM
#12
Thanks guys. I'm planning on doing some painting while I've got a good portion of stuff out of the engine bay. I'm going to do the entire bay when I swap in a new engine. I'd like to paint the entire car, but I don't know that I'll be ready to strip it down to the frame by the time I'm ready to put in an engine. Still not too proficient as a mechanic, but I'm working on it. Most of the work done so far has been of knowledge and a bit from doing it before on other cars.
Another thought, I'm considering moving the alternator to where the AC compressor was. It looks good on other cars, but I'm not sure what I need, or need to do yet to make it work.
Another thought, I'm considering moving the alternator to where the AC compressor was. It looks good on other cars, but I'm not sure what I need, or need to do yet to make it work.
10-20-11, 03:54 PM
#13
Rotary Freak
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10-21-11, 12:25 AM
#14
Thanks everyone.
I got out today set on pulling the A/C found online I should have the system professional evacuated, but when I checked if there was any pressure on the system, I got nothing. Not even a little his. So I pressed on the remove the AC.
I found an old bee or wasp nest in the car.
Eventually got everything out. Unfortunately, I don't have a wrench of any sort big enough to remove one of the hoses from the fire wall, So I have to buy one tomorrow. Other than that though, I just have the two hoses going into the firewall and the compress to remove, and the compressor is already unbolted and ready to come out.
Leaves plenty of room for a future oil cooler or intercooler if I decide to go turbo.
I got out today set on pulling the A/C found online I should have the system professional evacuated, but when I checked if there was any pressure on the system, I got nothing. Not even a little his. So I pressed on the remove the AC.
I found an old bee or wasp nest in the car.
Eventually got everything out. Unfortunately, I don't have a wrench of any sort big enough to remove one of the hoses from the fire wall, So I have to buy one tomorrow. Other than that though, I just have the two hoses going into the firewall and the compress to remove, and the compressor is already unbolted and ready to come out.
Leaves plenty of room for a future oil cooler or intercooler if I decide to go turbo.
10-21-11, 12:31 AM
#15
So for some reason that didn't post last night, but, I've done some more work. Bought a vice grip since I didn't own one already, and used it with a crescent wrench to get the AC hoses off. Had to remove the washer bottle and the cold start to get to it.
After that I was able to get the compressor out and get the mounting bracket off the engine block, officially eliminating the last of the AC components from the engine bay.
Then I took off the alternator just to make some room for now, and started taking off the rat's nest. I did get it off, but no picture because of how much dirt and grime were on my hands when I finished. Didn't want to get it all over my phone.
With the rat's nest removed I can work on getting whatever needs to be capped and blocked off taken care of, and replace the carb with the one I have sitting in my garage. Hopefully I can get most of that taken care of tomorrow and get the gas tank dropped on Saturday, and maybe the fuel pump put in. Hopefully the tank isn't too bad, and I'll be able to reuse it and get everything back on and together by next weekend.
After that I was able to get the compressor out and get the mounting bracket off the engine block, officially eliminating the last of the AC components from the engine bay.
Then I took off the alternator just to make some room for now, and started taking off the rat's nest. I did get it off, but no picture because of how much dirt and grime were on my hands when I finished. Didn't want to get it all over my phone.
With the rat's nest removed I can work on getting whatever needs to be capped and blocked off taken care of, and replace the carb with the one I have sitting in my garage. Hopefully I can get most of that taken care of tomorrow and get the gas tank dropped on Saturday, and maybe the fuel pump put in. Hopefully the tank isn't too bad, and I'll be able to reuse it and get everything back on and together by next weekend.
10-21-11, 09:21 PM
#16
Got out and only got to work for a little bit today.
This is the car as of yesterday night.
I pulled the old carb off today and the rest of the cruise control.
The engine is extremely dirty, so I'm starting tomorrow with cleaning off the block so I can start getting ready to put the new carb on.
I still need to pick up a few things to finis the rats nest removal as well. I need to get a new belt and I'm going to try to grab an electric fan when I go to put the radiator back. Tomorrow, I'm still going to try and get to the gas tank, but I'm not sure how far I'll get.
This is the car as of yesterday night.
I pulled the old carb off today and the rest of the cruise control.
The engine is extremely dirty, so I'm starting tomorrow with cleaning off the block so I can start getting ready to put the new carb on.
I still need to pick up a few things to finis the rats nest removal as well. I need to get a new belt and I'm going to try to grab an electric fan when I go to put the radiator back. Tomorrow, I'm still going to try and get to the gas tank, but I'm not sure how far I'll get.
10-23-11, 07:01 PM
#17
didn't make near the progress the weekend that I thought I was going to. I really just clean the engine some. I worked on it for a few hours though, and it still isn't too clean. It's better than these pictures, but there's a shot here comparing the plate on the tranny to the rest of the engine. You can really see a difference haha.
I've got to get a belt and a block off plate for the intake manifold. Then I need to get a few vacuum hoses and some fresh fuel line and I should be able to start putting the engine bay back together. Got some black spray paint today to respray a few pieces that have been cleaned. Make it look a little bit more presentable.
I've got to get a belt and a block off plate for the intake manifold. Then I need to get a few vacuum hoses and some fresh fuel line and I should be able to start putting the engine bay back together. Got some black spray paint today to respray a few pieces that have been cleaned. Make it look a little bit more presentable.
10-24-11, 10:36 AM
#18
Rotary Freak
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Looks good.
That is one dirty engine. My motor (on the SE) was almost that bad when I picked the car up. I spent days just cleaning things up. I still have somethings to get done. I had an oil leak so I still need to clean the underside of the car.
That is one dirty engine. My motor (on the SE) was almost that bad when I picked the car up. I spent days just cleaning things up. I still have somethings to get done. I had an oil leak so I still need to clean the underside of the car.
10-26-11, 06:16 PM
#19
Not a lot to report on the car. Ordered my block off plate from mazdatrix today and going to go try and find a belt and some hoses and caps to finish the rats nest removal. If I have some left over funds I'm going to get some pb blaster to try and get the exhaust pip off so I can put on the new muffler. Still haven't drained and dropped the gas tank though, and I need to get a battery at some point.
10-29-11, 12:44 AM
#20
rotary sensei
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Looks good. Still love the first gens. Many a Corvette and Porsche saw the back end of mine. How many miles on the motor?
May have some old first gen stuff still around maybe I'll look over the weekend.
May have some old first gen stuff still around maybe I'll look over the weekend.
Last edited by Mr rx-7 tt; 10-29-11 at 12:47 AM.
10-29-11, 07:50 PM
#21
^ car odometer says 184k on it. Doesn't seem like a new engine was ever dropped in.
The more I work on it the more little stuff I'm finding to make it a bit better. Yesterday I got out and noticed the vent below the windshield was full of junk.
I pulled off the vent, and the T junction that connects the washer hoses disintegrated. I vacuumed out everything I could, replaced the T fitting, and tape up a connector that also disintegrated when I unplugged it.
I've been slowly gathering things for the emissions removal, and also cleaning up rust and painting some panels as I find it/disassemble the car. Repainted the radiator (which has been patched, so I may need to replace it eventually), the metal surrounding the radiator, and now I'm working on the battery tray after I finish sanding the rust off. Found a small patch of surface rust by the left headlight under the battery tray that I should be able to remove pretty easily.
I've also come to the conclusion that my clutch master or slave, or both have gone bad. I fill up the master cylinder and try to bleed it, but no fluid is coming out, and I'm not getting any pressure when I try. Doesn't seem to be leaking, but the rust on the pedal assembly inside the car says it may have at one point in time.
The more I work on it the more little stuff I'm finding to make it a bit better. Yesterday I got out and noticed the vent below the windshield was full of junk.
I pulled off the vent, and the T junction that connects the washer hoses disintegrated. I vacuumed out everything I could, replaced the T fitting, and tape up a connector that also disintegrated when I unplugged it.
I've been slowly gathering things for the emissions removal, and also cleaning up rust and painting some panels as I find it/disassemble the car. Repainted the radiator (which has been patched, so I may need to replace it eventually), the metal surrounding the radiator, and now I'm working on the battery tray after I finish sanding the rust off. Found a small patch of surface rust by the left headlight under the battery tray that I should be able to remove pretty easily.
I've also come to the conclusion that my clutch master or slave, or both have gone bad. I fill up the master cylinder and try to bleed it, but no fluid is coming out, and I'm not getting any pressure when I try. Doesn't seem to be leaking, but the rust on the pedal assembly inside the car says it may have at one point in time.
11-16-11, 05:21 PM
#22
Long time no updates.
I've got a lot of small things done. I've painted the battery tray and radiator braces flat black and removed the rust I could get to on them as well as some on the body under the battery tray (nothing major). Got the passenger seat in, capped off the intake and started capping off and rerouting vacuum hoses. Still have a few things to get. I have to buy a few more things to get up and running. I've got a duel alternator pulley coming in the near future and a new clutch slave and master cylinder that should get me rolling pretty good. Fuel tank still needs to be dropped and the new pump needs to go in.
Here's a few update images, more has been done since these though.
After talking to some people on here it looks like fuel injected is the way to go. I'm going to look more into a TII swap after I get it running. looking for a nice 250 to 270 HP out of it and I'd be pretty thrilled.
More updates on the way. As I run out of money it slows down some, but got paid yesterday so I'm back at it =D.
I've got a lot of small things done. I've painted the battery tray and radiator braces flat black and removed the rust I could get to on them as well as some on the body under the battery tray (nothing major). Got the passenger seat in, capped off the intake and started capping off and rerouting vacuum hoses. Still have a few things to get. I have to buy a few more things to get up and running. I've got a duel alternator pulley coming in the near future and a new clutch slave and master cylinder that should get me rolling pretty good. Fuel tank still needs to be dropped and the new pump needs to go in.
Here's a few update images, more has been done since these though.
After talking to some people on here it looks like fuel injected is the way to go. I'm going to look more into a TII swap after I get it running. looking for a nice 250 to 270 HP out of it and I'd be pretty thrilled.
More updates on the way. As I run out of money it slows down some, but got paid yesterday so I'm back at it =D.
01-12-12, 01:07 PM
#25
Small update. Haven't been able to afford to get much done. I've got all my hoses hooked up under the hood now though. I've started putting the radiator back in, but Have to getmy duel belt pulley on the alternator before I can finish with the radiator. After that I've got a new clutch slave and master cylinder going in as well as a braided clutch cable, and everything under the hood should be good besides tuning the carb.
