To buy or not to buy
06-13-09, 09:31 AM
#1
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To buy or not to buy
Hello all. Im a 21 year auto service technician apprentice from Alberta Canada. Tomorrow I will be travelling to Edmonton to look at an 1988 Rx7 I found on Kijiji.ca. The add indicates there are two cars... one has a running engine but has been involved with a front left corner collision. From the the pictures the damage looks minimal. The other one has an IMACULATE body but unfortunately only running on one rotor. The great part about this is the guy only wants $1000 Canadian which i believe is a steal.
My plan is to swap out the running engine in place of the not running one, drive it for the summer, and then rebuild the engine in my second year technical training at college coming up in january. I know many people just quivered right there at the thought of a newbie in the rx 7 world to DIY his own 13b rebuild. however, i plan to do alot of research and as it will be done at the college the instructors make sure every angle and endplay is in spec.
My question here is apart from the few issues i have already read about, ie. bad grounding wires, overheating, headlight malfunction, and burning oil, is there any major component issue i should be careful to watch out for so that i don't buy a lemon?
Furthermore, where would be a good place to start to find rebuild kits at a reasonable price? I understand I am likely going to have to spend around $1000 to properly rebuild and would like to get a head start on saving up money and also it prooves to be very difficult to find "exotic" parts in this small part of alberta. If it doesnt say "Chevy 3500 duramax diesel" its at least a 2 month wait from jobber stores.
Any input from everyones vast experience would certainly be appreciated. I have been dreaming about this car since i was 12 years old.
Bye for now
Greg Rigden
My plan is to swap out the running engine in place of the not running one, drive it for the summer, and then rebuild the engine in my second year technical training at college coming up in january. I know many people just quivered right there at the thought of a newbie in the rx 7 world to DIY his own 13b rebuild. however, i plan to do alot of research and as it will be done at the college the instructors make sure every angle and endplay is in spec.
My question here is apart from the few issues i have already read about, ie. bad grounding wires, overheating, headlight malfunction, and burning oil, is there any major component issue i should be careful to watch out for so that i don't buy a lemon?
Furthermore, where would be a good place to start to find rebuild kits at a reasonable price? I understand I am likely going to have to spend around $1000 to properly rebuild and would like to get a head start on saving up money and also it prooves to be very difficult to find "exotic" parts in this small part of alberta. If it doesnt say "Chevy 3500 duramax diesel" its at least a 2 month wait from jobber stores.
Any input from everyones vast experience would certainly be appreciated. I have been dreaming about this car since i was 12 years old.
Bye for now
Greg Rigden
06-13-09, 10:40 AM
#2
Engine, Not Motor
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You will find all common problems in the How To Buy guides:
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy1.htm
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy2.htm
As for rebuild kits, they are available from all of the major vendors. I tend to use Mazda gasket sets from the dealer, but Atkins is a good choice as well.
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy1.htm
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/buy2.htm
As for rebuild kits, they are available from all of the major vendors. I tend to use Mazda gasket sets from the dealer, but Atkins is a good choice as well.
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