My father-in-law just found another FB for a few hundred bucks that the guy just wants out of his shop/yard. It looks to have a very straight body, a light blue color, and almost perfect interior.

According to the owner he drove it to the store, and when he came back out to leave it turned over and made a clunk(?) noise and wouldn't start. That was last summer, and instead of fixing it/having it looked at, it just sat untouched next to his garage.

Any thoughts as to what would go clunk, and cause no starting? We haven't touched the car yet, and will get it regardless, tomorrow afternoon.

--Ian

 

Be sure to perform a compression test, and go from there.

 

Will do, and rebuild if necessary. My father-in-law worked for a Mazda dealer in the early 80's as their solo rx7 tech down in southern California for 10-15 years, so this should be fun.

 

i wish i could have a father-in-law who worked during the rx7 days...

 

especially one that was a rx7 tech...

 

Friend's FB did this same thing yesterday... Turned out the starter **** it's guts out... So we've just been push starting it.

Might be the same thing, might not.

 

Thanks guys, I will do a compression test, as well as drop the starter out just to have a look.

Found out it's a 11/84 GSL, with some slight paint fade, 1 year old tires, and an almost time capsule quality interior. Also found it has 173,XXX on the "original engine." I put quotes because the lady had owned it since 89, and hasn't had it replaced, but what about the previous 3 years?

 

Make sure you drive it with seller/garagist too

 

Max, in the first post I stated the car doesn't run, and he didn't want to ride with me when I towed it home.

 

Be sure to share some knowledge after the project is done. Your father-in-law sounds like a great resource!