Hi all, it was wondering if I could bother you guys a little bit for some direction and get some opinions on where to go with this. I was recently given an 89 rx7 manual convertible that's been in a shed for the better part of 16 years. Latest registration was in 2004. This car has 203k miles and appears to be original under the hood. I know nothing about the state of it's electrical systems yet but will be picking up the car in a week and can throw a battery on to see what does and doesn't have power. The big question I had was hoping to get some opinions on was what to do with this car. Just see if I can revive it as it is? Is it worth rebuilding this engine with 200k miles on it? Try and find a used rotary with better history? Swap to a different type of engine all-together? what would you do knowing what's going to have to happen to this car to get it on the road?

 

First, I would disconnect the fuel pump connector from the pump before cranking. You don't want any 16 year old gas at the injectors and rails than you already have.

To verify some semblance of compression, I would remove the spark plugs and use the key to turn the engine over. Listen for the compression pulses to ensure that they are even and strong. If they sound uneven, you have a compression issue on one or more faces of a rotor.

If you can verify the engine is OK compression wise, I would dona cooling system pressure test to verify you do not have a blown coolant seal.

Once you are finished, it will be a full fuel system restoration, New plugs, wires, filters, belts, hoses, vacuum lines, fluids, brakes, tires, clutch hydraulics, ground point cleaning, light check etc. A car thats been sitting for 16 years needs to be gone over closely and carefully for it to be reliable once again. Once it is, the car will last another 30 years with minimal issues.

 

im kinda n the same situation as 'Sproles' xceppt my 89/7 conv was garaged for 6 yrs. ur info will be used. tks