Xkenut

I am a car idiot. I have a friend willing to give me a 1984 RX-7 that has not been started in at least 8 years. It has been covered, not rusty or crusty in any way. A southern car it's while life. I consider myself somewhat a mechanic as I work on all of my own cars. I am wondering what the general thoughts are on a car that the owner swears it ran well when parked, but just quit using it. I know all of the hydraulics will have to be replaced. I know about tires. I just don't know where to start on making a rotary run that has been sitting so long, and with 170,000 miles, should I even try?

rxtasy3

iTrader: (2)

welcome. when u can, lets see some pix. what part of sc?

WJM ROTARIES

Welcome to forum

Xkenut

Thanks for your reply. I am in upstate SC. I have several cars, space to work on them. I just don't know anything about a rotary. I'm guessing like most cars, start with fuel delivery first. Then hydraulics. This appears a very decent car in that although it needs paint, it has the original paint so it isn't hiding anything. It has a couple of dents but nothing horrible.

GtiKyle

iTrader: (5)

Welcome. Lots of information here. Would love to see some pictures of your car!

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

Generally, if unit ran well when parked, it can be brought back. Keep in mind "running well" could be subjective. 170K is a lot of miles. The fuel system normally requires a going through. Clean and flush the tank / lines, rebuild the carburetor. Going through the brakes and clutch (hydraulics) is pretty common and smart, as is replacing the hoses, belts and flushing the cooling system. Not as many things in the engine to go wrong as a piston engine. Two kinds of seals, ones for compression that sometimes need some lubrication (Marvel Mystery Oil) to limber up and un-stick. And another set of seals to keep the coolant from intermixing in the combustion process. I'd start with seeing if it will turn over by hand.

rxtasy3

iTrader: (2)

ok, i'm in spartanburg west side. so depending on which of the 11 counties that make up the upstate, ur 40 min to 1.5 hrs away. maybe i could help out sometime.

Xkenut

I am on the Greenville side of Greer. I am about 35-40 minutes from Westgate Mall. Should I just see first if the engine turns by hand easily? The owner bought the car when it had 35k miles and says she kept the car serviced as well as her mechanic suggested. Given that it has been sitting so many years, my first thought was to take the carb off and rebuild it. Drop the fuel tank and flush it well, replacing fuel lines from back to front. I literally have no clue about the seals. Will I damage them by turning it over? Should I put lube in the spark plug holes first? So many questions.

Banzai

iTrader: (13)

The whole point of turning it over by hand is to see if anything is stuck. Better to do this than drop in a battery and start cranking. You would only damage them if it wouldn't turn over and you forced it. Wouldn't hurt to remove the plugs and squirt a little Mystery oil in first. Sounds like chances are, it will turn.

Xkenut

I will do that. I don't know if I can get to it for a couple of weeks but it is on my list. It hasn't been given to me yet, just offered.