Hi Guys - I am new to this board but not new to rotaries. I am the original owner of a 1980 RX-7 GS. I have owned this car for 29 years - probably older than some of the members.

I recently got the bug and want to get my car back on the road. I would like to try to join the Bruce County Meet - but will definitely try my best to attend 7 Stock North.

After prepping everything for a couple of days, the engine fired up and ran great. I suspect my original rad and hoses need to be replaced. I could easily smell the coolant as the engine heated up. I only got 29 years of service from this rad and am very disappointed. I will be writing a firm letter of complaint to Mazda Canada. JK

I did a quick search on the boards for replacement rads but most of the info is for newer RX-7's. I would like to get a replacement rad within the week and need help from the local members here in Canada - specifically Ontario.

I would like a direct replacement for the original rad - nothing that requires fabrication or custom brackets. My car uses the original oil cooler under the rad - so I will need something that is not too tall. I seem to remember reading about 2 core or 3 core rads - but it's been awhile since I've been into wrenching so I am a little rusty.

I don't need anything too hard core for racing - but an aluminum rad would sure look pretty. My priorities in order would be exact fit, reliability, performance, visual appeal, price.

OK Guys ... help me out with this project so I can get my RX-7 back on the road this summer.

 

I have an 84' rx7, which i know has a different style than your 1980, however, I've never had any issues going into any radiator shop and getting one ordered. Thats probably your best bet. As far as aluminum, your not going to get anything that will bolt right in without any modifications. Call up some Rad shops and see what they can do. I think i paid around 150 for a new rad. If anything, a good rad shop should be able to re-core your rad if necessary.

 

How far away from the Bruce County area are you? I know of a few rad shops that could recore your old rad. The old copper core rads cool far better than the new aluminum rads do anyway. You just get the shiny factor with aluminum. Oh BTW, if you can't get your car up and running for the Bruce County meet, come anyway. There should be lots of empty passenger seats that you can ride along.

 

Hi Buggy,

Thanks for the invite. I live just South of Hamilton - so not exactly around the corner from Bruce County.

It shouldn't take too much work to get my RX-7 back on the road. I just thought if I had to replace the rad, that now might be a good time to upgrade it. I didn't realize that the old copper core rads cooled better than the new aluminum rads do.

I will try to find a local shop that can either recore my rad or order a direct replacement.

I've got the rad hoses on order from the Mazda Dealership, but I think I might get them to order the rest of the heater hoses and replace everything at the same time.

No drain valve on the Mazda rad - so I guess I better be prepared to get the garage floor wet.

 

stock up on floor dry and get a big drain bucket.

 

drain it through the engine drain (on the center iron at the very bottom), to make sure if drains as much as possible, you'll need to make sure that the radiator fill cap is open, along with taking out one of the top heater hoses so that there is no vaccum holding things back.

 

Hey dj55b - I was thinking there might be a drain somewhere on the block. I will go out and take a look tonight when I get home from work.

"on the center iron at the very bottom" ... Driver's side or passenger's side?

 

It should be on the drivers side, usually looks like a square shaped stud.

 

Thanks JIMMY54 - I think I found the drain plug. It's right at the base of the oil filler tube just above the oil pan. That should greatly help to reduce the mess on the garage floor.

My local Mazda Dealer should have the rest of the radiator & heater hoses in tomorrow.

I just have to make my mind up on which radiator to get.

The Parts Source wants around $300.00 for a new radiator. I found a guy in Brantford who can recore my OE radiator - but he also wants close to $300.00. Still checking various online suppliers - starting at $162.00 U.S. Dollars.

 

After shipping, duties and the exchange rate that won't be too far from $300CDN. Might as well go with a brand new unit for the same price that you can just pick up at the store.

 

The engine drain plug worked great. I cut open an empty plastic pop bottle and placed it upside down to form a "urinal". This allowed the flow of coolant to collect and then drain straight down into a pail without gushing all over the place.

The old radiator is out. The metal & rubber insulated brackets that hold the oil cooler to the radiator are pretty much shot. I will get some new ones on order from the Mazda Dealer tomorrow.

I'm still hoping to get my RX-7 back on the road in time for the Bruce County Meet.

 

Join the ranks with the rest of us who are doing last minute wrenching on our cars before the Bruce County meet. I'm hoping the get my 9lb flywheel on my FC tomorrow, and my friend has to get his engine back into his SA sometime yet too.

 

I've got the metal & rubber insulated brackets that hold the oil cooler to the radiator on order.

Mazda doesn't have any of the foam bits available any longer that sit between the oil cooler and the radiator, and along the sides of the oil cooler.

I think I read somewhere that one of the members got some stuff from Home Depot - but I can't find that thread any longer.

What would you guys recommend?

 

How "south of Hamilton" are you? I'm out on the Peninsula, and Classic Auto is out in Hagersville. Maybe we need an FB coffee run.

As for the foam, just go to home depot and look in the insulation aisle. You should find all sizes of foam tape, which will do the trick.

 

I am located in Caledonia - about 15 minutes South of Hamilton.

I think I know Joe from Classic Auto in Hagersville. He's been into my store a couple of times.

I've got all of the new hoses and brackets from Mazda. I picked up my radiator today - but I'm at work tonight. Doesn't look like I will make the BCM.

I should be in good shape for 7 Stock North in August. I hope to meet some of you guys at that time. Probably safer that I give the car a few runs before an extended road trip.