Video Log Of The Restomodding Of My '76 RX-5 Cosmo (New Vid Jan 5/2023)
09-18-14, 10:34 AM
#376
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Part 37: Carbureted Fuel Tank Conversion to In Tank EFI Pump
Part 37 of my '76 Mazda Cosmo restoration focuses on one specific task in great detail. That task is converting the old carburetor feeding fuel tank to one which can satisfy the high pressure needs of fuel injection. The approach I take is to modify the tank to accept an in tank fuel pump via custom bracket, emulating the approach used on modern vehicles. My inspiration for the setup was the Aeromotive Phantom EFI tank conversion kit. However as the Aeromotive unit wouldn't fit in the space I had available, I chose to fabricate my own version. Additionally, I continue the task of cleaning the fuel tank as well as finish off by wiring up the fuel pump.
09-23-14, 09:36 AM
#378
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It may not be clear in the videos but when the tank was siphoned, it was because it was totally full of Super Clean/water. Unmovable by me due to the size of the thing. When I poured it out, it was only about half full.
09-30-14, 08:35 AM
#380
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This is better than Spike TV Powerblock. And that Silence of the Lambs'ish garage setting really rounds out the experience. Good luck with the ongoing build. Very cool that an RX-5 is getting some love. Last time I checked Performance Mazda in Orleans just outside Ottawa had a mint white one in their possession (and in the showroom). Aaron, if you're out that way maybe you want to check in with them and have a look.
10-29-14, 10:45 AM
#381
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Part 38: Fuel Tank Restoration With POR-15 Sealing Kit
I guarantee that aside from part 38 of my '76 Cosmo Restoration, you will not find more footage on YouTube of someone shaking a fuel tank. You have my word that this is the most tank shaking coverage you will see in any video. Why so much tank agitation? Because in this episode I clean and seal the 40 year old fuel tank using the POR-15 fuel tank restoration kit. This is something which several have requested be shown so I figured as sealing was a common issue for old fuel tanks, why not dedicate an episode to the task. I begin by recycling some of the cleaning footage from the past two episodes then move right into the process of the POR-15 kit. First any remaining debris is "chained out" by using the old trick of rattling some chains around inside the tank. Then the tank is cleaned with the supplied cleaner, etched with MetalPrep and finally coated with the sealer. The end result is a tank looking better inside than the day it came the assembly line which will not be subject to future corrosion. To go with the spiffy clean interior, the outside is given a coat of POR-15 rust preventative paint as well.
And did I mention this is my first episode in HD?!
And did I mention this is my first episode in HD?!
10-29-14, 09:40 PM
#382
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Watched the whole thing and learned a lot. Keep up the good work, Aaron!
10-31-14, 10:34 AM
#385
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Shake dat gass... tank.
01-08-15, 10:12 AM
#388
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Part 39: Front Suspension & Rack and Pinion Conversion, Part 1
I know it's been a while and since the front suspension work is still ongoing, I've decided to split it up into two episodes. So for part 39 of my '76 Mazda Cosmo restoration, I begin the work of updating the front suspension and converting the car from recirculating ball steering to rack and pinion. While my original goal was to mount the entire FC RX-7 front subframe, it became obvious very early that was not feasible. Instead I began combining parts of the RX-7 suspension with the Cosmo suspension to create a unique solution. Once the basics were laid out, conversion to rack and pinion steering began utilizing a NA Miata steering rack. And then I hit a silly, obvious snag...
01-09-15, 02:24 PM
#390
Everyone likes a nice rack. Although it is important it be in the front, on the back is just odd and unexpected geometry 
Have you had further thoughts on a donor rack source? Might a RHD Miata rack work? I pencilled it out, the direction of wheel rotation seems right when it is reversed and installed behind the hubs, and it's presumably dimensionally the same (side to side), the question is will the angles work for attaching the steering shaft and so on.
Have you had further thoughts on a donor rack source? Might a RHD Miata rack work? I pencilled it out, the direction of wheel rotation seems right when it is reversed and installed behind the hubs, and it's presumably dimensionally the same (side to side), the question is will the angles work for attaching the steering shaft and so on.
01-10-15, 10:10 AM
#391
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Winner winner, chicken dinner! Yep, the RHD Miata rack is the solution. And it even fit better than the LHD version. Ended up better centered and the steering shaft is at an easier angle to the steering column.
01-17-15, 09:48 AM
#393
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How about standard rack and pinion on the front for every day use, but like monster trucks, a hydraulic ram steering on the rear for special occasions? Would make it very easy to parallel park.
01-20-15, 11:44 PM
#394
Make It Happen!
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Project Binky - Episode 1 - Austin Mini GT-Four …:
This guy is a machine. He is basically installing the drivetrain from a Celica gt-four into a classic Austin mini. To fit everything into the chassis he makes a negative JIG to locate all the suspension components and then builds new sheet metal around it on the new car. Feeling enthusiastic?
Hope this helps.
Good luck with the rest of the build.
01-25-15, 11:04 AM
#395
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Over the past week or so I have been watching the Project Binky episodes and am very impressed. I have a bunch of questions for the builders but will wait until the project is done, or at least I'm caught up in episodes.
01-25-15, 11:57 AM
#396
Yeah, I watched through the Project Binky episodes at work on Thursday - when I came in and found HR had deleted my staff accounts (in error). Not a lot for a computer instructor to do when he doesn't have computer/network access :P. The Mini is an impressive build, and like Mr. Cake's, the videos are informative and entertaining. I think if I hadn't already picked up a fair bit of the process from the Cosmo build, that their fast-forward style would have left me wondering about the bits they skipped ahead a little through, though. I did kind of wonder, with Mini's being cheap and plentiful (unlike the Cosmo), why they didn't just start with a better shell.
01-25-15, 01:51 PM
#397
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Damn HR! Who the hell set up that network where HR has the permission to delete user accounts?! That should be ITs job, with a request sent down from HR. That way mistakes are far less likely.
I too wondered why they started with such a rough Mini but as the worked it started to become clear. Since they were cutting away 90% of the car, it didn't really matter what they started with. All the have now is a set of some Mini outer sheet metal, with everything else custom. Frankly it looks like they could have started with aftermarket sheet metal. I'm curious as to whether they will run stock EFI or a proper standalone. And to see their water to air system. As soon as I saw their engine bay I thought "water to air".
I like their format as well. It is more of a super detailed TV show. While I want to show the nitty gritty of step by step, they are more about showing the process. I like that approach because I know how to do what they are doing, what I want to see is them do it and the result.
Interesting though that they seemed to get negative comments for including females. I'm not seeing much of that, certainly not to the point I'd ever address it on video.
I too wondered why they started with such a rough Mini but as the worked it started to become clear. Since they were cutting away 90% of the car, it didn't really matter what they started with. All the have now is a set of some Mini outer sheet metal, with everything else custom. Frankly it looks like they could have started with aftermarket sheet metal. I'm curious as to whether they will run stock EFI or a proper standalone. And to see their water to air system. As soon as I saw their engine bay I thought "water to air".
I like their format as well. It is more of a super detailed TV show. While I want to show the nitty gritty of step by step, they are more about showing the process. I like that approach because I know how to do what they are doing, what I want to see is them do it and the result.
Interesting though that they seemed to get negative comments for including females. I'm not seeing much of that, certainly not to the point I'd ever address it on video.
01-25-15, 06:30 PM
#398
The issue was HR did tell IT to delete me as an employee - based on an old contract for another faculty I hadn't done work for in over a year - kind of missing the fact that I am still doing work for the department that originally hired me over 5 years ago. It was just a waste of most of a day on the phone getting hold of the right people and gettting them all talking to get it confirmed I still in fact work there. A bit nerve wracking, in that with the economy tanking fast here, layoffs are a bit common - but while there's usually little warning, people usually do get summoned to HR first, rather than show up and find themselves locked out. But otherwise, basically just an at-desk vacation day.
I'm a bit surprised too at them getting negative feedback for having a woman show up in the Binky videos too. However, British "lad culture" has become quite strong over the past 25 years or so - basically middle-class English rednecks playing a hypermasculine, stereotyped version of traditional working class men. I'd suspect that's where they'd get flack - for letting a women into a male space, where men are supposed to be men (and usually drinking), and women don't exist, except as sex objects.
I'm a bit surprised too at them getting negative feedback for having a woman show up in the Binky videos too. However, British "lad culture" has become quite strong over the past 25 years or so - basically middle-class English rednecks playing a hypermasculine, stereotyped version of traditional working class men. I'd suspect that's where they'd get flack - for letting a women into a male space, where men are supposed to be men (and usually drinking), and women don't exist, except as sex objects.
03-06-15, 10:15 AM
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Part 40: Front Suspension & Rack and Pinion Conversion, Part 2
In episode 40 of my '76 Mazda Cosmo restoration, the front suspension is finally finished. This time around I concentrate mainly on steering, completing the Miata rack installation I started in part 1. As I alluded to last episode, there was an easy fix to my rack dilemma; a right hand drive rack which when spun to left hand drive becomes a rear steer rack. With that hurdle out of the way I fabbed up the mounts to adapt it to the Cosmo subframe, figured out the inner tie rods, and then built the steering shaft and related machinery. Steering sorted, the next task was to mount the RX-7 struts in the Cosmo strut towers. The suspension is then completed with the reinstallation of the Cosmo stabilizer bar. This episode runs a little long but I wanted to get everything done, so pour a few drinks and enjoy.
