I have some pictures, I just need to upload them someplace.

Here is an update on my project as of 5-14-11.

I finally changed out the plugs and she fired right up. Ran a little sluggish but sounded really smooth. I had a slight fire, located in the exhaust cover from a critter building a nest in there. I spent 10 minutes with a hose and was able to remove the nest materials. I decided after allowing it to cool off to try a drive around the block. The short drive went well and I took it to the gas station. I added 5 gallons and the gas gauge was not working. All other electrical aside form the power antenna was working.

The car did die on me and was not getting any gas to the carb. i used a car dollie and towed it home. I blew some air threw the line and was able to restart it. I decided at that point to pull the tank. I found out why the gauge didn't work...yuck. the sending unit was shot. The inside of the tank looked like crude oil. it was a miracle it even started with the nasty junk in the gas tank. So I am having the tank boiled and cleaned. I removed the carb and have it in a solution tank and will rebuild it...again. I have blown out the fuel lines and injected some sea foam in them. I am hoping that by weeks end, I will, have the tank reinstalled, carb rebuilt and installed, plugs back in and ready to fire it back up. I forgot to add that the car did not smoke at all when it fired over. I had no missing in it and it actually ran very smooth. Someone is watching over my shoulder on this as I have never done anything like this before. So, if I can do it, anyone can.

I will be adding some pictures real soon as soon as I find out how to post them. I am anxious to share these with you. I am really enjoying this project and I was skeptical starting it as I didn't want this to blow up in my face and be a disaster. My neighbors are amazed at the condition of the car, and my 10 year old has stars in his eyes, dreaming of the day he can drive it. My mother, who the car was purchased for as a 40th birthday present, had tears in her eyes hearing the car run. She even commented that she never thought I knew anything about cars. We both had a good laugh over that one.

I really appreciate the suggestions everyone has made. This site has been a world of knowledge base for this car. I am learning more about this wonderful car than I ever thought I would.

 

Great to hear that you got it to run and drive! It sucks you have to rebuild the carb again though but whatever it takes I guess. You can post pictures by uploading them to an image hosting website and then copy and paste into here. I am looking forward to seeing this beauty lol. This website is a great help, I started with little to no knowledge of any car and from my Haynes manual and this site alone I have learned more then I ever thought I would know about cars and rotary engines. Goodluck on the rest of the project! I started exactly where you did and I am still having fun learning.

 

Here goes...I hope these links work out ok for some pictures

This was the first time in 15 years it saw any light:

 

Here it is sitting outside running.




The Motor:


the sending unit.



Another view sitting outside:

 

Once the car is detailed you are going to have a mint first gen. rx-7, well actually you do already! Nice 7 man

 

Looking good man!

When it comes time to clean up the paint, I've had great success with McGuire's Cleaner Wax. Takes off oxidation and crud like nobody's business and really brings the shine back. Follow up with some good wax...

 

I seen an article about that McGuires stuff in Modified Mag it worked amazing

 

The dirt has been driving me crazy. i have a friend that owns an autobody, as soon as she is up and running it goes to him for a full detail. I am going to have them clay it out as well. Aside from the dust which was set in by a quick rain shower, the paint is in excellent condition. It is hard to tell from these pictures.

 

Awesome, post pictures once the detail is done too

 

I was going thru the car last night taking a little break while working in the carb. I pulled out the paperwork in the glove box and guess what I found. I have the original window sticker and all the service records from the dealership. I also have all the original state registration papers, and all the warranty papers. Everything that came with the car from the dealer. I was really excited. I think I will have the window sticker laminated to preserve it.

The carb was a mess. This is after it was cleaned out originally. Some of that bad gas was still in the lines and junk was in it. The accelerator pump is working some I hope some ultrasonic cleaning and maybe a replacement will help.

I keep getting more anxious to get this car on the road. I seem to have gathered a neighborhood following now. Whenever I am working on it lots of people stop by to see if it is running. Lots of people from my younger days that remember the car.

 

Very awesome !! Your pops would be proud, she is the same color as mine

 

What an inspiration! You have a real gem. Makes me want to go out and work on my baby. I had a 72 celica that I worked on as a kid. My dad taught me everything about that car. If you can do it and I did it with a 72 I can do it again! Can't wait to see the new pics!

 

Cool!! Thanks for posting the pictures! Look forward to seeing it detailed & shined up

My car came w/ all the paperwork yours has- I had it all laminated. I'd highly suggest doing so, it's only a few dollars & will definitely protect it all!

Landon

 

This is one of the best posts I've read on this site to date. I'm definitely going to watch your progress. I have very, very little experience with cars and just bought my first 7, and I'm so beyond excited. I can't even imagine what this project means to you. Seriously NEVER sell it. You have a gem, and it's part of your family history now. Good luck, and definitely keep posting.

 

I have a 83 in original condition that appraised for $9,000.00. Not that it would sell for that, but as a collector status car is only costs $110 per year to ensure for the full appraised value.

My advice, keep it as original as possible!!!

 

Hello, I'm new to this as well. Bought my uncles 86' GXL with only 60k on it. Was stored in a dry garage since 97'. Got it home - interior still smells new, no rust at all since my uncle had it rust proofed. I'm having trouble starting it though. I replaced what was already mentioned in your posts. Waiting for the new fuel pump to be delivered. Hopefully that will do the trick. Glad to see you decided to keep yours! My uncle is very excited to see his 7 running again as I'm sure your dad is to see yours. GL

 

keep it stock and keep it forever, you have a nice gem there.

 

So how about a little update as of June 10 2011.

I took a little break from the car and had to end up replacing the gas tank. To much junk in it. I found one that came off of a running car and bought it right. It was installed on the car. It seems to be ok at this point. I had to pul the plugs because she would no fire over. I was having some carb issues and I still am but now the car will fire up and run. I had it out driving it around the neighborhood and it would die on me. It acts like it is not getting enough fuel. I also notice an accelerator pump issue. I am going to pull the carb and go thru it again and replace the diaphragm for the accelerator pump.

So, here is a question for anyone who may know. Since the car is starving for fuel, it runs out of gas under a load and in a short distance. it will fire back up but will have the same problem again. Ok the question: I replaced the fuel pump with an aftermarket, could the fuel pump I used not have enough gas flow or the same amount of pressure as the oem pump? If this is not the issue then where do I look next? I am going to replace the rubber diaphram for the accelerator pump and hope that will fix my first issue. Do you think it will fix the other, not getting enough fuel? I am stumped about this one.

i drove the car to the local carwash, about 8 blocks away and rinsed it all off. I drove it home and let it sit and idle, it seems to draw down and run rough then will smooth out a little bit and repeat the cycle. The motor sounds nice aside from the fuel issue. I have not noticed any smoke or anything else at this point.

Any ideas????

 

How does she look now??? June 11-2011 the first bath in over 15 years

 

Tucked in the garage

 

Its really tough to say if that new pump is causing issues. It would help if you had the specifications for it.

However, most aftermarket pumps will produce way more pressure than the Nikki carb can handle. You might want to order a Holley 1-4 psi fuel pressure regulator. I think they run around 20 bucks from Summit Motorsports. Here is a writeup I put together when I installed mine (along with a Carter fuel pump): https://www.rx7club.com//showthread.php?t=529605

I replied with a few other thoughts in your other thread as well. Best of luck.

 

Hey, sorry to hear of the circumstances that you acquired your 7 but gotta say she looks stunning- keep up the good work.

 

Here are the recent pictures taken. Check out the drivers door, do you remember when the service companies placed the sticker on the door for oil changes?

 

Here is a before and after picture. After 16 years in the garage.



After

 

Wow! She looks awesome. Bet you are thrilled to have kept her! I know your son is. LOL You are an inspiration!