1986 s4 gxl
03-09-21, 11:33 AM
#1
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1986 s4 gxl
found an FC, it’s not pretty but it doesn’t have to be.
https://i.imgur.com/1DGtNzC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uYVsHnJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HZDNC2W.jpg
hauled it home and started messing with it.
added some mmo to the leading spark holes and turned it by hand a few times, sounds like its got ok compression.
went to try and start it, wasnt getting fuel so i jumped the pump and... its seized.
ordered a new one only to find this on disassembly:
https://i.imgur.com/BC1Sw7e.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kXa3YLL.jpg
started working on the power windows and sunroof.
the PO had disconnected the door lock rod and it was wedged into the window track on the driver side. i got the doors pulled apart and checked the regulators. they CAN move but they dont want to, even bypassing the switches.
sunroof motor works but the panel is stuck and i cant get it unstuck without taking the whole assembly out, so ill wait for a break in the forecast to mess with it.
everything plastic i touch disintegrates in my hands like its made from ******* sand. i was lucky to get spares w the car for the gauge bezel and switches, and a couple of nice door panels.
the dash is totally shitted and has to come out. id really like to find one to replace it.
it has a couple of nice vinyl seats and a back seat too, which was cool.
https://i.imgur.com/QlP4i9F.jpg
after taking inventory and seeing how much fc interior parts are selling for these days, it’s looking like the smarter move would be to sell the usable interior parts to someone with a nicer and more complete car and replace them with racecar stuff.
in that respect i’m hoping to find some stuff here because nobody uses craigslist anymore and im not on fb so i cant use their marketplace.
https://i.imgur.com/1DGtNzC.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uYVsHnJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HZDNC2W.jpg
hauled it home and started messing with it.
added some mmo to the leading spark holes and turned it by hand a few times, sounds like its got ok compression.
went to try and start it, wasnt getting fuel so i jumped the pump and... its seized.
ordered a new one only to find this on disassembly:
https://i.imgur.com/BC1Sw7e.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kXa3YLL.jpg
started working on the power windows and sunroof.
the PO had disconnected the door lock rod and it was wedged into the window track on the driver side. i got the doors pulled apart and checked the regulators. they CAN move but they dont want to, even bypassing the switches.
sunroof motor works but the panel is stuck and i cant get it unstuck without taking the whole assembly out, so ill wait for a break in the forecast to mess with it.
everything plastic i touch disintegrates in my hands like its made from ******* sand. i was lucky to get spares w the car for the gauge bezel and switches, and a couple of nice door panels.
the dash is totally shitted and has to come out. id really like to find one to replace it.
it has a couple of nice vinyl seats and a back seat too, which was cool.
https://i.imgur.com/QlP4i9F.jpg
after taking inventory and seeing how much fc interior parts are selling for these days, it’s looking like the smarter move would be to sell the usable interior parts to someone with a nicer and more complete car and replace them with racecar stuff.
in that respect i’m hoping to find some stuff here because nobody uses craigslist anymore and im not on fb so i cant use their marketplace.
03-09-21, 12:41 PM
#3
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i have some idea of what happened to it before it was parked for 10 years, its got a clear title and some service records with it. the story goes the PO worked in the service area of a mazda dealership which kind of makes sense as there were spare parts still in the original mazda packaging.
the fenders, hood, doors and hatch are all ok. glass is good aside from the windshield. nothing but surface rust so far...
i’d take any dash that’s straight and re-cover it. the interior was always one of my favorite parts about the FC, but to replace the dash, the destroyed a and b pillar trim, the climate/radio bezel would probably cost more than i paid for the car. i might have to find another roller for donor stuff. or just strip it down and go aftermarket as much as id hate to do it.
the fenders, hood, doors and hatch are all ok. glass is good aside from the windshield. nothing but surface rust so far...
i’d take any dash that’s straight and re-cover it. the interior was always one of my favorite parts about the FC, but to replace the dash, the destroyed a and b pillar trim, the climate/radio bezel would probably cost more than i paid for the car. i might have to find another roller for donor stuff. or just strip it down and go aftermarket as much as id hate to do it.
03-09-21, 11:26 PM
#4
this would be more suited for the build section. u already have an intro.
nov of 2008
https://www.rx7club.com/introduce-yo...-stand-802631/
then in dec 2008
https://www.rx7club.com/introduce-yo...ta-%3D-804425/
only one is sufficient.
nov of 2008
https://www.rx7club.com/introduce-yo...-stand-802631/
then in dec 2008
https://www.rx7club.com/introduce-yo...ta-%3D-804425/
only one is sufficient.
03-10-21, 05:52 AM
#5
If you find someone parting an FC out, you can likely get a good price on a dash. Its best to buy the broken plastic bits new if the ones you need are still available. The issue is that they become very brittle over the years and buying used is risky. Some stuff is still available however, and Mazda is slowly adding previously NLA parts back to their catalog for the FC.
Honestly, I'd take a straight rust free car with bad interior plastics over a rusty one with a nicer interior. Here in Ohio, the vast majority have great interior but the body is always rotten. I just bought a rust free RX-8 and had it shipped up from Virginia and am in the process of restoring it. The reason being, its rust free. The interior needs some work but I've been replacing the warped and cracked plastics. You'd be doing the same in essence. Clean FC's are getting harder to find and the prices are on the rise for clean examples. Would be very cool to see this car restored.
Honestly, I'd take a straight rust free car with bad interior plastics over a rusty one with a nicer interior. Here in Ohio, the vast majority have great interior but the body is always rotten. I just bought a rust free RX-8 and had it shipped up from Virginia and am in the process of restoring it. The reason being, its rust free. The interior needs some work but I've been replacing the warped and cracked plastics. You'd be doing the same in essence. Clean FC's are getting harder to find and the prices are on the rise for clean examples. Would be very cool to see this car restored.
03-11-21, 10:29 AM
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i’ve been looking for dashes, pm’d a member here about his. called the local yards that have rx7s but came up dry.
i’ll pick one up if its a good deal but i’m prioritizing getting the thing running and its going to take some doing.
i called a local radiator shop and got a price on steam cleaning the gas tank, so thats next on my list.
i’ll pick one up if its a good deal but i’m prioritizing getting the thing running and its going to take some doing.
i called a local radiator shop and got a price on steam cleaning the gas tank, so thats next on my list.
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03-13-21, 01:01 PM
#8
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tank is dropped. still looking for a dash and an s4 bumper cover.
about to drop $ on the other projects, so i might start selling some of the spares to get it back.
about to drop $ on the other projects, so i might start selling some of the spares to get it back.
03-23-21, 03:07 PM
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tank is still being cleaned. apparently it was that bad.
got this yesterday
https://imgur.com/a/SFYbZP7
got this yesterday
https://imgur.com/a/SFYbZP7
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