Hi, all - We just picked up a clean 1982 FD for my daughter's first project car. Well, her two previous cars were projects, but only out of necessity (repairs and etc.) We are going to try to make this a "project" and not a "hobby" with some clear goals, such as:

1. Get it running
2. Make sure it rolls and stops on its own
3. Fix all of the oil leaks
4. Cosmetic repairs/upgrades (Windows off tracks, driver exterior door handle not working, seat covers, radio, AC and so on)

I know that I'll be doing most of the technical stuff with intent to help her become self sufficient. As we progress down this path, I know that I'll be engaging this forum community at large to keep us on the righteous path.

Looking forward to connecting and engaging with everyone here!

 

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new RX-7! Happy to have you herr and happy to lend a hand along the way!

 

Welcome to forum

 

Hello and welcome. Just a note, either the year you listed is a typo or the model designation. 1982 cars are 1st gens and that year would make it an FB. The FD's are 3rd gen cars and would be the case if the car is a 92.

 

That sounds like an awesome father-daughter project! An '82 RX-7 (assuming that's what you mean by FD, though technically the FD is the '90s gen) is a sweet platform, especially for learning hands-on skills.

Getting it running should be fun—carb or EFI swap? And those oil leaks... yeah, welcome to rotary life! If it’s still got the 12A, hopefully, it’s just some easy gasket replacements and not something deeper. Brakes are always a priority, and once it’s stopping and rolling properly, you guys can really start personalizing it.

 

YES! Sorry, FB. And the quick update: It runs! It started on starting fluid, then we tried to start it without starting fluid (saving seals and etc.), and it acted flooded/dirty plugs. Pulled the plugs (filthy, wet, oily, carbon) and brushed them clean. Cranked the engine without plugs and blew all of the nasty stuff out. Installed plugs, crank, vroom. I'll say that it REALLY doesn't like running without the air filter cover. This is with (at least) 2 year old gas. I siphoned out as much as possible and added 5 gallons of fresh gas.

Today's plan is to take it for a short spin around our block to confirm that the mechanical bits work (and no obvious excessive oil leaks), then extend the test drive a few blocks at a time. My daughter works swing shift so we have about an hour each day to work before she heads to work.

Original engine, or at least 12A. We are the third owners, and the second owner is still friends with the original owner. So there's a linear progression involved. Just looking for driver door handle (interior and exterior) and driver mirror. Then we get to adjust the windows on both sides. And then? Who knows; probably just drive it for a bit to see what it really needs and if it fits into our lives.

 

Props for the 1st Gen! Sounds like you found a decent example. I'd at least change the fuel filter, now and after a couple tanks of gas. Don't want any gunk in the tank being pumped up to the carb to clog it too.

The door handles and parts are still readily available from different sources. OEM door mirrors are harder to come by but are out there. They are a lot more available than SA door mirrors.