Hi all! Firstly thank you all, who maintains this forum and give us the members this virtual space. Let´s start new build thread! Car nickname "ETHEREAL" (in Czech "PŘÍZRAK"). „It’s taken time, and it’s still sinking in, that it’s actually here.“

The story starts here:



Specification:
- Aurora white WN, Interior brown
- European version (lights, mirrors, back seats)
- Front lights Cibié (Valeo) H4
- Fog lights ZKW behind the grill (factory option)
- Sunroof made by dealer before the sale
- only mechanical antenna
- rear window heater, no wiper
- radio Phillips
- leather wrapped steering wheel and gear shift
- without air conditioning
- without sub zero tank
- 4-barrel Nikki (I can´t tell for now specific differencies from "standard" version)
- oil cooler under the water cooler
- 5 speed transmission
- bigger rear drum brakes from Mazda 626 1978. I would be pretty happy to know why. Was it specific to Europe or last owner changed the whole rear because some trouble? Will pictures help to recognize it?

Condition:
- nearly complete stock
- non runner, engine already aparts (current work).
- some rusty places - the most of it repaired, but there are typical places, which needs welding
- Nikky freshly rebuilt
- Changed all bad steering and suspension bushings and seals
- Solved some details as electric hatch release, hatch struts, telescopic antenna, etc..

 

First question: I read during SA period were more rear brakes variations. Are mine stock ones? Is it Europe specific or they are changed for Mazda 626 later? ID numbers are from 626 and parts are definitely the same. Brakes looks same old as other parts underneath, so I suppose it is there from factory.

 

Those brakes look stock. I haven't dug into the 626 part numbers, but it wouldn't surprise me if they weren't the same as the 1979 RX-7.

And many, if not all, of the brake parts are no longer available. I believe the wheel cylinders are, but I know for a fact the rear drums are not and haven't been available for years. Same for the front calipers on the 1979.

 

1978 626 has drum diameter cca 229 mm, instead 1979 RX-7 has cca 200 mm. Also I see difference in adjusting brake shoes, I cant find parts for RX-7, but it was possible to find for 626. I´ve already change the cylindres for Metteli / Cifam production. Old were leaking after moving with them..

 

I looked these up on RockAuto. The 323 is really close but all of these are not available.

1979 Mazda 626
DYNAMIC FRICTION 36580003 Specifications
Bolt Hole Diameter 12.5 mm
Bolt Hole Quantity 4
Center Hole Diameter 59.8 mm
Drum Bolt Circle Diameter 110 mm
Maximum Drum Diameter (IN) 9.039
Maximum Drum Diameter (mm) 229.6
Mount Type Floating
Nominal Drum Diameter (mm) 228.09 mm
Outside Diameter 276 mm
Overall Height 83.8 mm

1979 Mazda 323
DYNAMIC FRICTION 36580008 Specifications
Bolt Hole Diameter 12.8 mm
Bolt Hole Quantity 4
Center Hole Diameter 59.4 mm
Drum Bolt Circle Diameter 110 mm
Maximum Drum Diameter (IN) 7.913
Maximum Drum Diameter (mm) 201
Mount Type Floating
Nominal Drum Diameter (mm) 199.64 mm
Outside Diameter 230 mm
Overall Height 72.9 mm

1979 Mazda RX-7
DYNAMIC FRICTION 36580004 Specifications
Bolt Hole Diameter 12.5 mm
Bolt Hole Quantity 4
Center Hole Diameter 59.3 mm
Drum Bolt Circle Diameter 110 mm
Maximum Drum Diameter (IN) 7.913
Maximum Drum Diameter (mm) 201
Mount Type Floating
Nominal Drum Diameter (mm) 199.9 mm
Overall Height 72.9 mm

 

I also am not familiar with what they used on the 626's but like KC, believe they used a lot of common parts. Here are a couple shots of both sides of a 79 set up. Looks like you have 2 rivets on the backing plate where the the adjuster studs would normally be.

 

Guys this is exactly, what i've found last year. For the 626 is adjuster inside in the upper part, it is screw and long nut between shoes. Distance is adjusted by a flat screwdriver through the hole in backplate. Turning the nut by its ribs on outside. My drums, shoes were ok, but in the end of winter I found right cylinder leaking. I bought left one here, but right wasn't available (both aftermarket) Finally I bought it on Rockauto with spare brakeshoes in sale and some other stuff... Brakes works for now and they are also painted black again. I'm just currios how come they are different. It is not reason to do anything with them as I suppose they are original. Maybe Mazda used them because different market, who knows... I will take pictures of diff for comparison with yours SA. Front brakes are definitely RX-7 original.

 

Not sure if Mazda ever produced any European manuals (I've never saw any) but I do have a JDM parts manual and it shows the same set up as North American cars. I think its unlikely they had a separate, European design for brake adjustment. Wonder if yours was modified by a previous owner?