I have a '74 REPU with what appears to be a 1st gen RX7 motor and 5 speed transmission. The distributor style has the ignitors on the outside. This motor is extremely hard to start but once started runs pretty well. One thing I instantly noticed was that the manual choke was not hooked up but are there any other general places to start?

 

I would start with a compression check, and follow that up with a check of the sparkplugs and a little diagnosis of the carb - see how it's working.

For a compression test, see if you can borrow a tester with an M14x1.25 metric threaded end on the gauge, and try to remove the tiny schraeder valve (usually in the coupling right at the spark plug adapter fitting on the end). You want to see even pressure numbers as you turn the engine over. As long as they're consistent and above 80psi or so, you've got reasonable compression.

Checking the plugs and carb can be done pretty easily if you read through the FAQ for the 1st -gen section. You can also search for "end of all no-start" as that was the title of a good one.

 

Thanks for your suggestions. I will test compression this weekend. I am hooking the choke up and checking the general health of the carb tonight.

 

Check your timing to while you're at it...