I have an 1980 RX-7 that has been in the garage for about 20 years here in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Does anyone know of a mechanic that is knowledgeable on these that can give me a good idea of what it may take to get it running?

 

Two your ago, I restored a 1979 for the original owner that had sat for 30 years.

The basic things I like to tell people in your situation is that you need to do any standard maintenance that would have been done in the last 20 years.

Not a complete list. Don't think you can scrimp. What happens is that you fix one thing and then the next thing needs fixed. Other than the gas tank, these are things that should have been done on a vehicle this old,

1. Tires
2. Drop gas tank and have it cleaned.
3. All new soft fuel lines.
4. All new vacuum lines.
5. Water pump and t-stat (factory t-stat)
6. Coolant flush.
8. Brakes - every bit.
9. New brake reservoir.
10. Clutch master and slave along with new soft line (I like the stainless-steel ones).
11. Maybe a new radiator.
12. Battery and battery cables.
13. Maybe a new clutch disc, pp, throw out bearing,
14. Air filter
15. Oil change and filter.

 

In your experience are all of these parts still available?

 

1. Tires - YES
2. Drop gas tank and have it cleaned. (A good radiator shop can do this. It cost me $350)
3. All new soft fuel lines. (Gates 8mm and 6mm)
4. All new vacuum lines. (Vibram silicon hose kit has the right sizes. Cut to fit)
5. Water pump and t-stat (factory t-stat) - YES - Get t-stat from dealer. Will need part number.
6. Coolant flush. - YES
8. Brakes - every bit. This is hit and miss on parts. Front calipers a not available. Rear cylinders can be hard to find.) Look on RockAuto. Rear drum are not available so keep your old ones.
9. New brake reservoir. - RockAuto
10. Clutch master and slave along with new soft line (I like the stainless-steel ones). RockAuto
11. Maybe a new radiator. Get a Champion aluminum one
12. Battery and battery cables.
13. Maybe a new clutch disc, pp, throw out bearing, - YES
14. Air filter
15. Oil change and filter. - YES

The hardest parts are the brakes. Many items are no longer available.

If you were closer, I'd offer to rehab it.

 

Everything KC mentioned is still available and within reach. It's like eating an elephant, accomplished one bite at a time. Fixing one thing will likely lead to uncovering something else and it can seem like an endless process. If it still turns over, you'll need to make sure the fuel system is clean (his dropping the tank and fuel lines) May need to go through the carb as well. Going through the hydraulics (brake and clutch) is basic maintenance that most likely will need to be done for functionality and safety.

Cleaning out the coolant system replacing the water pump and having the radiator pressure tested is good insurance too against unforeseen, lurking problems. There will be things you don't plan for too, guaranteed. With the right attitude and mechanical aptitude, solutions can be found even when the exact part is no longer available. This is all still just the mechanical side of refurbishment. There is also a cosmetic side to it that you might want to also address.

Not to discourage you, but It does help immensely if you can perform at least some of the work yourself. If not, the harsh reality is, you'll need to have the available means to pay for it to be done. Funding a restoration is something done from the heart, not the head.

 

Thank you, luckily the body is in good to excellent shape since it has been garaqed the full time other than the typical cracked dashboard. I found a guy in California that vacuum molds replacements a while back, need to research and find him again.

I am pretty mechanically adept, especially for these simpler, older vehicles. In my youth I rebuilt a few MGBs.

I was hoping it may be simpler but what it sounds but I am just retiring so maybe have time

 

This would make a good retirement project. Just Dashes is in California and is a good source for fixing your cracked dash. Probably be around $1000 however.

https://www.justdashes.com

 

You can get the plastic dash overlays for under $150. I'm not a fan of them but on a tight budget it would work.

 

Thank you, I remember those were costly but do not want the plastic overlays

 

Thank you for the information. This sounds like a fun project but upon further thought I am in the process of moving and downsizing and not sure I will have the facility to work on this vehicle.

That brings up two questions, do you have any thoughts on the best way to sell it to someone who would like to restore it and second if I bring it to you in KC how much would you charge?

 

Thank you for the information. This sounds like a fun project but upon further thought I am in the process of moving and downsizing and not sure I will have the facility to work on this vehicle.

That brings up a question, do you have any thoughts on the best way to sell it to someone who would like to restore it?

 

There is a Market Place section here on the forum. You can post it there.

https://www.rx7club.com/market/parts...d%5B0%5D=m1116