When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have been dreaming of owning a rotary powered car for sometime now.
However I have purchased a few additional cars, but once I get boarded of them I find myself looking at the Mazda’s again.
It must be the Rev range and the fascination of the Rotary design.
I have had my eye on a RX-8 R3 simply because of the prices on the 3rd gen RX-7;are up there.
One day (several years ago) when returning from a work road trip I spotted a car off the highway. I went to check it out and it was a 1st gen RX7.
I wasn’t that into the 1st gen, so I left and kind of forgot about it.
Fast forward five years or so, One day while watching 3rd gen Bridgeport vs street port videos on YouTube the next video played was some highly modified 1st gens, which were loping at idle.
I immediately hoped my car with the dog (snix) and we headed out on the highway where I thought I seen that Rx7.
Driving and driving over an hour along the highway I say to Snix, “let me know when you see a Mazda”.
Honestly Snix popped his head up, and 1/4mile away there it was a low sling car sitting under a tree in an old abandoned farm yard.
We had the trek though the deep snow to get to it, covered in snow I wasn’t sure what car it was, I started to doubt my memory. But yes sweeping the snow off the back revealed the RX-7 badge. Holy smokes!!! It’s a Mazda!
Opened the door as they were unlocked. We peeked inside, unfortunately mouse smell inside, but here the kicker. The key was left in the ignition!
Proceeded to pop the hood, a bit of a struggle, until I remember
ed do these opens backwards? Again this car is covered in foot of snow.
It appears to be a 1981 with the 12A engine, under hood looks complete and stock.
I did some digging and the original owner moved to Ontario. He left it with is sister.
what do you guys think? I was thinking about trying to get it going.
unknown is floor, and rust. The snow should be gone soon, maybe I can have a better look at it.
I think it’s a safe bet, if the key was left inside, the engine is likely not running.
Looking at Racing beat rebuild kits, they are a bit pricey.
Does anyone on the forum have older 12A apex seals and gaskets?
Ok thanks for the encouragement guys.
What would be the first thing to do?
Remove the carb, clean it, by pass the fuel tank, and change engine oil.
How to prelube the engine before starting?
Never played on a rotary, what ratio should premix be?
I'll let one of the old-timers advise you on turning over a long-sleeping motor, but...
No need to pre-mix. The stock engine does this automatically (assuming everything is mostly working).
Bypass the fuel tank? What?
Likewise there are some old timers in here that have resurrected many a paddock find that will surely chime in soon, but for lube you can give each rotor a good squirt of engine oil or two stroke oil straight in the spark plug hole and then turn it over by hand and then starter a few revolutions.
as sto bypassing the tank i assume he means to feed the carby fuel from a clean container to avoid feeding it whatever nastiness may be inside the tank which is surely a good idea.
You can just poor some engine or auto trans oil down the inlet manifold after you remove the carby to clean. Then turn motor over by hand do this a few times
Ok so I headed back out to the Mazda prepared with tools, fuel, battery, carb cleaner etc.
With some elbow grease and a can do attitude I managed to get voltage into the electrical system, I could see the headlights were lighting up while still in the closed position.
I tried the starter, but there’s no activity there. Looking in closer detail, the starter power wire looks severely corroded.
I couldn’t get to it today, the car is still has a lot of ice snow around it. In fact I had trouble opening the door.
I was able to rotate the engine over, it took very little effort on the breaker bar, and could be moved by hand on the alternator belt.
Looking at the body shell, there really only seems to be rust around the rear fenders.
Also found out there’s a cool looking hatch cover, might be collectable?
I need the snow to melt, while we wait, who has a starter motor or any 12A? Let’s get this RX going as a group! I know you guys have time to snoop around your old junk piles these days.
Wiring diagrams I can make new battery leads, and starter motor. Etc.
What should we name this project?
Anyone Know about these slats? 12A rotates looks complete.
Rx-7 - The prescription the doctor ordered to get through these times.
Last edited by Snix; 04-12-20 at 11:13 AM.
Reason: Typo
OP, have you talked to the property owner yet? I believe you told us the car owner moved away and the car is on his sister's property. Does she know you're out there messing with the car? Do you have an agreement with her to sell you the car?
04-02-20, 12:25 AM
