And so begins our journey, PK_12A's 1983 RX-7 rejuvination
05-28-11, 03:34 PM
#51
Received my oil cooler from member jorx81@aol.com and it was IMHO in much better condition than described in his add in the classifieds, also received my washers and orings from mazdatrix as well, no pics yet due to dead camera but, in the next day or 2. Next parts to buy, filter pedestal from re-speed and a rear banjo bolt which brings me to a question,
Will the rear banjo bolt in the bee-hive work in the rear iron or should I get one else where?
Will the rear banjo bolt in the bee-hive work in the rear iron or should I get one else where?
06-04-11, 10:51 PM
#55
Thank you for the kind words I do appreciate them, in preparation I got a new water temp gauge and am switching the other one to oil temp duty (was for use as either) didn't get pics of the cooler install as I ran out of daylight those tomorrow after noon but for now I offer pics of the gauge install.
I chose this location because it's easy to see and out of the way and (at least to me) is aesthetically pleasing,again cooler install pics tomorrow afternoon that's all for now.
I chose this location because it's easy to see and out of the way and (at least to me) is aesthetically pleasing,again cooler install pics tomorrow afternoon that's all for now.
07-31-11, 04:54 AM
#56
In the midst of all the work being done to the 7 I have neglected to update my build thread so here goes,
I got the car up and running about 2 1/2 weeks with little to no drama after finally receiving the oil filter pedestal from re-speed after a lengthy wait however, this was no fault of there own as Canada had a postal workers strike but, it was well worth it as it is built to last (seriously it's a great piece with great craftsmanship) all this included a good cleaning of the engine and engine bay, a stereo install (found a good deal and had some parts lying around) new coolant hoses, water and oil temp gauges, mechanical oil pressure gauge, oil cooler lines, fuel pump, exhaust gaskets, and the oil cooler itself and promptly hit something in the road after just over a week of driving requiring some front end work (tie-rod adjusting sleeve) which went off with little to no drama as well. I will post some pics of this entire process in the next few days. That brings us to Saturday evening, after deciding to drive to work in the 7 I decide it's a good time to pop the hood and check the oil and other vital fluids on my break only to find what appears to be a small pool of oil on the front rotor housing at first dismissing at first as the oil fill cap being a tiny bit loose I decide to dry it up, come 11pm my shift ends and I drive home and decide to do the same thing as before this time with the engine at operating temp only to find the same oil puddle in the same place as before. It appears my poor 12a with 151k mi has possibly developed a dowel pin leak and is soon destined for a rebuild (a basic one at the very least to replace seals) sooner than originally planed, for the moment it's not to bad small and irritating making a mess of my once clean engine bay.
So more work ahead for my seven including rebuilding the engine, new radiator, brakes, electric fan, full suspension rebuild, new front tires, some body re-speed rack and pinion kit, right rear tail light, more interior refreshing, and maybe some body work. All this as time and funds allows, if the housings are toast and good 12a housings are not obtainable then a 4port 13b w/ RB Holley carb manifold and header swap will be my plan b. More as the situation unfolds and pics in the near future. . . . .
I got the car up and running about 2 1/2 weeks with little to no drama after finally receiving the oil filter pedestal from re-speed after a lengthy wait however, this was no fault of there own as Canada had a postal workers strike but, it was well worth it as it is built to last (seriously it's a great piece with great craftsmanship) all this included a good cleaning of the engine and engine bay, a stereo install (found a good deal and had some parts lying around) new coolant hoses, water and oil temp gauges, mechanical oil pressure gauge, oil cooler lines, fuel pump, exhaust gaskets, and the oil cooler itself and promptly hit something in the road after just over a week of driving requiring some front end work (tie-rod adjusting sleeve) which went off with little to no drama as well. I will post some pics of this entire process in the next few days. That brings us to Saturday evening, after deciding to drive to work in the 7 I decide it's a good time to pop the hood and check the oil and other vital fluids on my break only to find what appears to be a small pool of oil on the front rotor housing at first dismissing at first as the oil fill cap being a tiny bit loose I decide to dry it up, come 11pm my shift ends and I drive home and decide to do the same thing as before this time with the engine at operating temp only to find the same oil puddle in the same place as before. It appears my poor 12a with 151k mi has possibly developed a dowel pin leak and is soon destined for a rebuild (a basic one at the very least to replace seals) sooner than originally planed, for the moment it's not to bad small and irritating making a mess of my once clean engine bay.
So more work ahead for my seven including rebuilding the engine, new radiator, brakes, electric fan, full suspension rebuild, new front tires, some body re-speed rack and pinion kit, right rear tail light, more interior refreshing, and maybe some body work. All this as time and funds allows, if the housings are toast and good 12a housings are not obtainable then a 4port 13b w/ RB Holley carb manifold and header swap will be my plan b. More as the situation unfolds and pics in the near future. . . . .
Last edited by PK_12A; 07-31-11 at 04:58 AM. Reason: additional info
08-05-11, 03:16 PM
#58
Here are the pics w/captions
out front after a quick drive
at night
exterior
unfortunately came to find this
inside
w/stereo gauges and new ****
oil cooler in and functioning perfectly
re-speed pedestal and lines routing
painted my rad supports and cowl notched supports for oil lines still need a new rad
the leak of doom f%&* me
That's all the pics for now and a new development my starter has died and I'm
going to be unable to repair it for 2 weeks as I am heading out of town more as this develops.
p.s. mr.miles: if the lights don't go on I'll let ya know.
and just for giggles the one pic of me with my fb
out front after a quick drive
at night
exterior
unfortunately came to find this
inside
w/stereo gauges and new ****
oil cooler in and functioning perfectly
re-speed pedestal and lines routing
painted my rad supports and cowl notched supports for oil lines still need a new rad
the leak of doom f%&* me
That's all the pics for now and a new development my starter has died and I'm
going to be unable to repair it for 2 weeks as I am heading out of town more as this develops.
p.s. mr.miles: if the lights don't go on I'll let ya know.
and just for giggles the one pic of me with my fb
Last edited by PK_12A; 08-05-11 at 03:19 PM. Reason: added pics
09-03-11, 01:26 PM
#60
It seems my engine has had some sort of catastrophic failure and will not turn over at all almost like it's seized so time for a new powerplant so that is all for a while she will live again real soon as i have began sourcing a 13b 4 port (from japan2la) and all the rest of the necessary parts to make the swap.
More as I get parts and money.
More as I get parts and money.
09-30-11, 10:07 PM
#61
Will post some pics soon suffice to say I'm in the tear-down faze and have removed just about everything except the block it's self. Going to start buying some swap components while putting back for a 13b. I've kinda decided to go ahead and get some upgrades for it as well since the one WILL be staying in the car and built up for street/track use, I'm debating weather to get the suspension done as well. More soon . . . .
11-29-11, 06:29 PM
#62
Engine Removal Day ! ! !
So in preparation for the 13B swap in the works for my 7 today we removed the power-train from the chassis well here are some pics,
after break down (several weeks back)
Removal
Empty bay
Engine and trans out
Needless to say it didn't want to leave and fought just a tad bit but, now we're ready for the new engine to occupy that space as well as new motor mounts more as more happens.
after break down (several weeks back)
Removal
Empty bay
Engine and trans out
Needless to say it didn't want to leave and fought just a tad bit but, now we're ready for the new engine to occupy that space as well as new motor mounts more as more happens.
12-22-11, 02:50 AM
#64
Sorta in a in a holding pattern due to weather, no garage so I'm at mother natures whim.
about all that has been done as of late was a full wash down on the engine bay in prep
the new engine. The original 12A is being retired due to an internal failure, it's getting a
13B 4 port and while it's out were doing some power and reliability mods such as RB Holley
and headers, full custom exhaust, new radiator, dual alt pulley, and full emissions removal
just to name a few, also have a bad tail-shaft seal so I'm addressing that as well. Hoping
to get all the parts on order after X-mas. Before all the stuff with the engine going south I
had bought a few audio components for an absolute steal at a thrift store so, I did get my
sound system done as well as snagging a WAY better set of seats at the pick'n'pull. I'll try
to upload some pics of that a bit later and parts pics as they arrive. I intend to paint the front
cross member and a few other things as the weather improves. I also intend to get a bit of the
suspension redone as funding allows and first two items on that list are new front tires and a
proper alignment. I won't be able to get much done in the near future IF we get snow but, I'm
really hoping we don't and the weather man is wrong. Pics of some of the small stuff I've got done ASAP. . . . .
about all that has been done as of late was a full wash down on the engine bay in prep
the new engine. The original 12A is being retired due to an internal failure, it's getting a
13B 4 port and while it's out were doing some power and reliability mods such as RB Holley
and headers, full custom exhaust, new radiator, dual alt pulley, and full emissions removal
just to name a few, also have a bad tail-shaft seal so I'm addressing that as well. Hoping
to get all the parts on order after X-mas. Before all the stuff with the engine going south I
had bought a few audio components for an absolute steal at a thrift store so, I did get my
sound system done as well as snagging a WAY better set of seats at the pick'n'pull. I'll try
to upload some pics of that a bit later and parts pics as they arrive. I intend to paint the front
cross member and a few other things as the weather improves. I also intend to get a bit of the
suspension redone as funding allows and first two items on that list are new front tires and a
proper alignment. I won't be able to get much done in the near future IF we get snow but, I'm
really hoping we don't and the weather man is wrong. Pics of some of the small stuff I've got done ASAP. . . . .
Last edited by PK_12A; 12-22-11 at 02:53 AM.
12-28-11, 03:53 AM
#65
So hopefully I will be getting some small things done tomorrow such as, painting the exhaust heat-shields and engine cross member (and a few other things while I'm at it), reinstalling the grill and tail-lights (which I decided to tint as well) repair the rear center piece with a nice re finish, install my led driving lights and tie-rod end link caps, finalize my gauge install in the center console (even I admit that my current way is not that great), and run some wire loom over to make it all more ascetically pleasing in the engine bay. I also want to snap a few pics of my finished stereo install, new seats and all the rest of it. Looking like mid February to early March as far as getting her back on the road. More as time, funds, and, parts allow.
P.S.
How well do the DIY tint kits work and hold up as I received one as a gift and have been debating weather to use it or not just curious.
P.S.
How well do the DIY tint kits work and hold up as I received one as a gift and have been debating weather to use it or not just curious.
Last edited by PK_12A; 12-28-11 at 03:58 AM. Reason: post script
01-13-12, 04:09 AM
#66
BIG STATUS UPDATE ! !
The engine has been purchased, I went through Japan2LA and got a low mile Jspec 13B 4 port from a 78' Luce (pics upon arrival) to which I will be swapping to a set of RB street headers, intake, 465 Holley and, air cleaner. I'm going FULL emissions delete, custom exhaust dual alt pulley, new radiator, and belts. More to come and a few pics.
The engine has been purchased, I went through Japan2LA and got a low mile Jspec 13B 4 port from a 78' Luce (pics upon arrival) to which I will be swapping to a set of RB street headers, intake, 465 Holley and, air cleaner. I'm going FULL emissions delete, custom exhaust dual alt pulley, new radiator, and belts. More to come and a few pics.
01-14-12, 01:16 AM
#68
I appreciate the complements, and if not for reading some other build threads, those 2 things are keeping me motivated. I have an image in my head of what I want the finished product of my labor to look like and I'm gunna get there eventually. Also I feel like I owe my best effort to such a great car.
Last edited by PK_12A; 01-14-12 at 01:19 AM.
01-20-12, 12:31 AM
#69
Well we've hit a snag after a compression test the engine that was gunna be headed my way
didn't pass with a 70 psi on one rotor so Brian gave me a full refund today and apologized for
the inconvenience and I appreciate his honesty so for now I am hunting for a power plant for my 7.
In search of a 13b 4 port na preferable 6port ok MUST RUN READY DROP IN 12a if 13b not available.
didn't pass with a 70 psi on one rotor so Brian gave me a full refund today and apologized for
the inconvenience and I appreciate his honesty so for now I am hunting for a power plant for my 7.
In search of a 13b 4 port na preferable 6port ok MUST RUN READY DROP IN 12a if 13b not available.
Last edited by PK_12A; 01-20-12 at 12:33 AM.
01-22-12, 01:37 AM
#70
So I've been promising some progress pics and finally got an opportunity to
upload some to my photobucket so here they are. . . .
First up front end work:
new tie rod end caps (all 4), idler-arm bushings, and painted x-member
sway bar end-links did all front sway bar bushings
next some interior stuff:
bone yard seats high backs
before covers
with cheapo cover on one
still need installed pics but much better than what I started with
new steering wheel Grant Classic 3 spoke
and what I feel I put the most effort into
my center console/stereo surround
for this I used epoxy and a piece of plexiglass
decided to repaint it while I was at it
in progress
a little test fit
finished with gauges
a couple installed
I feel it's pretty decent and looks way better than my temporary solution.
Just some of the small stuff while I gear up for the swap also did the stereo
finishing bits (subs amp and wiring) pics soon on that stuff. Also put all the
gauge and stereo wiring lines and wires in some split loom.
Just thought I'd share my minor progress. More as I get more done. . ..
upload some to my photobucket so here they are. . . .
First up front end work:
new tie rod end caps (all 4), idler-arm bushings, and painted x-member
sway bar end-links did all front sway bar bushings
next some interior stuff:
bone yard seats high backs
before covers
with cheapo cover on one
still need installed pics but much better than what I started with
new steering wheel Grant Classic 3 spoke
and what I feel I put the most effort into
my center console/stereo surround
for this I used epoxy and a piece of plexiglass
decided to repaint it while I was at it
in progress
a little test fit
finished with gauges
a couple installed
I feel it's pretty decent and looks way better than my temporary solution.
Just some of the small stuff while I gear up for the swap also did the stereo
finishing bits (subs amp and wiring) pics soon on that stuff. Also put all the
gauge and stereo wiring lines and wires in some split loom.
Just thought I'd share my minor progress. More as I get more done. . ..
Last edited by PK_12A; 01-22-12 at 01:42 AM.
01-22-12, 03:17 PM
#72
I'm definitely going to get the engine bay a bit cleaner but, that's after the 3rd scrub down and right now I am kinda waiting on the new engine as mentioned above so I have time to kill.
Thanks for the compliments helps keep me going when things get tough.
Thanks for the compliments helps keep me going when things get tough.
02-03-12, 11:53 PM
#73
A bit of an update with some pics and questions and such,
So decided to do some work on the trans that needed to be done,
to start with the return spring was busted so I got to pulling the
old busted one out, I'll get pics and a write up up soon cause this
is way easier than most of the write ups I read made it seem but,
I'm gunna get the parts to get it functioning right and not leaking.
Next is the stereo install pics the head unit is in the pics above
and I don't have any of the speakers right now but, those will be
with the additional pics of the sub box but, on with a couple pics
Got a great deal on a 400w amp and 2 8" dhd subs should be more
than enough for me now pics
amp with passenger seat out
with seat in
and the one crappy pic of my home built box
The whole thing sounds pretty darn good and hits pretty hard
to boot so I'm pretty happy. That's all my progress for now so
on with my ideas and questions.
First as I stated above my engine deal sorta fell through cause of
the engine having bad compression, oh well on with the next ideas
so, I still want to go 13b 4 or 6 port but, I want to STAY with a carb
due to time and budget limitations and the fact I like the nostalgia
and challenge of a carb. Now my first question is how important are
the 5th/6th port actuators on a 6 port if I go carbed how much power
will I loose or gain without them?
The reason for question 1 is my next question, originally the plan was
to go with an RB Holley and intake but, no the 6 port set up for this you
loose the 6 port actuators but, with the Weber uim and carbs you can
keep the 6 port actuators, now I'm a tad new at this and I have been
searching all over with no luck I just want some pros and cons of each.
Next, if I go 6 port I need the 12a front cover, GSL SE oil-pan and pick up,
or can I use the 12a one, Rb front mount plate but, can I use the fly-wheel
from the 6 port with my FB trans and is there any thing else I need to make
this work?
Finally is this, if all else fails are there any good engine builders in the lower
N.M. upper west TX area if not how about ABQ. area?
Some more pics soon and more work as I do more. In the mean time I have
been helping my dad with his 1968 Chevy El Camino 327 he's resto-modding.
Pics if you ask. Later for now.
P.S.
System specs are as follows
H/U: JVC KDR420
amp:Powerzone 400w 2 channel
Front: Pioneer 4"
Rear: JVC 6.5"
Subs:2 8" DHD 300w in custom sealed enclosure
So decided to do some work on the trans that needed to be done,
to start with the return spring was busted so I got to pulling the
old busted one out, I'll get pics and a write up up soon cause this
is way easier than most of the write ups I read made it seem but,
I'm gunna get the parts to get it functioning right and not leaking.
Next is the stereo install pics the head unit is in the pics above
and I don't have any of the speakers right now but, those will be
with the additional pics of the sub box but, on with a couple pics
Got a great deal on a 400w amp and 2 8" dhd subs should be more
than enough for me now pics
amp with passenger seat out
with seat in
and the one crappy pic of my home built box
The whole thing sounds pretty darn good and hits pretty hard
to boot so I'm pretty happy. That's all my progress for now so
on with my ideas and questions.
First as I stated above my engine deal sorta fell through cause of
the engine having bad compression, oh well on with the next ideas
so, I still want to go 13b 4 or 6 port but, I want to STAY with a carb
due to time and budget limitations and the fact I like the nostalgia
and challenge of a carb. Now my first question is how important are
the 5th/6th port actuators on a 6 port if I go carbed how much power
will I loose or gain without them?
The reason for question 1 is my next question, originally the plan was
to go with an RB Holley and intake but, no the 6 port set up for this you
loose the 6 port actuators but, with the Weber uim and carbs you can
keep the 6 port actuators, now I'm a tad new at this and I have been
searching all over with no luck I just want some pros and cons of each.
Next, if I go 6 port I need the 12a front cover, GSL SE oil-pan and pick up,
or can I use the 12a one, Rb front mount plate but, can I use the fly-wheel
from the 6 port with my FB trans and is there any thing else I need to make
this work?
Finally is this, if all else fails are there any good engine builders in the lower
N.M. upper west TX area if not how about ABQ. area?
Some more pics soon and more work as I do more. In the mean time I have
been helping my dad with his 1968 Chevy El Camino 327 he's resto-modding.
Pics if you ask. Later for now.
P.S.
System specs are as follows
H/U: JVC KDR420
amp:Powerzone 400w 2 channel
Front: Pioneer 4"
Rear: JVC 6.5"
Subs:2 8" DHD 300w in custom sealed enclosure
Last edited by PK_12A; 02-04-12 at 12:11 AM.
02-04-12, 06:58 AM
#74
Full Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wilmington, NC
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I appreciate the complements, and if not for reading some other build threads, those 2 things are keeping me motivated. I have an image in my head of what I want the finished product of my labor to look like and I'm gunna get there eventually. Also I feel like I owe my best effort to such a great car.
good work on the interior.!