1985 13b, engine stop, won't start, troubleshoot
 

1985 GSL-SE, 13b, 5 sp

From my introductory post:
[/QUOTE]...There are two issues, the heater core piping appears to be leaking, and the fuel system (pump?) is not working. I'll do a search and then post in the New Member RX-7 Technical.[QUOTE]

Haynes manual came with the car.
Down loaded the factory manual and available Service Bulletin

Disconnected the heater core at the firewall and plugged the hoses. Work that one later

Good News
Fuel pump:
Pulled the supply (high pressure) hose loose at the fire wall. Key on, shorted the fuel pump test connector. No fuel
Replaced the fuel pump; with a Delphi FD0030 CFD0030 (Local purchase)
Tested pump - fuel . We have a pressure gage, but not the right fitting to install in line. So I don't know the pressure yet.
Engine started, ran fine.

Went for a Saturday drive, 65 deg day - two hours, last half hour on the freeway at 75, running fine, then -
Engine ran rough for a few minutes and quit.
Tow truck is a hour + out.
Tried the engine after 1/2 hour. Started - ran fine. Ran for about 1/2 hour - quit again. Towed home.
Checked pump - working fine.

Ignition:
Searched current posts and archive.
Likely culprit appears to be trailing ignitor.

Rebuilt distributor. Came with two new ignitors, Cost was about the same as one new ignitor
Replaced the cap, rotor, and wires and plugs while we were at it. Plugs were pretty black looking

Engine exploded to life right after we figured out that we had not plugged the trailing coil wire back - primary connector with the extra lead to the ECU
Set the timing using the two notches in the crank pulley. Between the factory manual and the Haynes, the first notch (in the direction of rotation appears to be 5deg after, second notch is 20deg after.

Completed everything yesterday. Kid and I took it for a drive about 1/2 hour - runs great.

There is an issue with starting: more on this later

And the Bad News:
The kid took it out for a spin tonight with girlfriend. No he didn't just take it, he asked. Okay with me, he has been part of all the work done on it.
Outside lane was blocked, dead pickup.
He stopped, waiting for the inside lane traffic to clear.
Car (soccer mom looking van) behind him did not.
Got the bumper, passenger rear quarter, bent the axle forward, suspension rods mangled, jammed the passenger door.
Pushed our car side, continued on to hit the stalled truck. Completely smashed in the front of the van. Considering the damage to our car, the majority of his damage was from hitting the stalled truck. The other driver was banged up enough the EMTs took him to the hospital.

Kids are okay - not banged up a bit. That is the important part. It was a beautiful car, but it is just iron, it can be fixed or replaced.

Up to the insurance companies now. Hopefully they will cough up enough to get it repaired.
:badrebuild: (we hope)
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...656fd10482.jpg

This is likely something everybody already knows. This is a list of the parts we got and the suppliers:
Rebuilt distributor, cap, rotor. wires, plugs.
CarID
The distributor looked good. No slop in the bushings. Gear looked new, no wear. Came with two new igniters, internal sensors, and capacitor. Did not have the shield plate between the rotor and the sensor plate.
The wires were not great. The spark plug ends were straight, not right angle. The coil ends were not not molded. They worked fine.

Radiator preformed hoses, inlet and outlet
Heater preformed hoses, all three
Hoses were exactly the same as the originals
Atkins Rotary

Rear window hatch lift supports
Ordered locally - came in about 4 inches too long and the orientation was reversed. not going to work
Ordered "Tuff Support" brand from Amazon. They look right to fit the wiper electrical. Will let you know when they show up

(Edit to add)
Door seals from 1A Auto. fit perfect, good price

High pressure fuel filter - Rock Auto
not available from local automotive suppliers

dang, hate to see that. glad they were ok. drivers not paying attention, probably cell phone related. i see it all the time. sounds like driver of the van was traveling faster than he should have. insurance will definitely total it. u could buy back from them, find another one and use this for spare parts or part it out on here.

Dang, intro and exit to the forum. Glad everyone is OK, like you say its just iron.

Good Lord. I hate to see that - Havana Brown, too? :( Glad to hear that there were no serious injuries or fatalities. I wouldn't hold my breath on the insurance company, but depending on what you want to do from here onward (if you want to replace it), if they do total it, you might consider buying it back for parts.