To rebuild or not to rebuild, that is the question
 

I have a 84 GS (FB in vin) and a 82 GSL (FB) for parts. I have been told I have a vacuum leak in a carb gasket by one guy and butterfly bushing leak by another. I got the 84 for $700 and the 82 for $300. I am not trying to make a race car. I just love the car’s style and feel. Before I go into switching fenders and bumper and then paint I want to get it running well. I have ordered a vacuum line kit from “Hi Performance Store, Inc” using a link I found on here.
I bought a carb rebuild kit for the 84 but am leery of doing it myself. From reading posts here saying it “not a big deal” (if you can follow instructions) and then others saying “the rebuild must have been done by someone who didn’t know what they were doing”
I am in Northern FL and there is a Carb rebuild company who will do it for $300 and they say “bushings are replaced as well as the rebuild.” I tried just switching carbs but some things are different and have a flooding problem on first startup. (the 82 probably needs a rebuild after sitting for at least 5 years.
Should I try just the rebuild kit? Should I take it to the company to do it? Should I try it myself on the 82 and if it fails take the 84 carb to the shop?
I finally found a Rotary guy in Ocala who use to race them who suggested I put a Webber on it and forgo all the vacuum hassles. But I think the cost of the carb and manifold will not be in my budget, or cost effective.

I am not looking to pour allot of money into the car though I have put new rotors and breaks all the way around an replaced the rear axle bearings so far. I would say the car is probably a 6 on a 1-10 scale but could be better with the fender bumper switch and paint.
Any Idea’s???

Spend the money and do it all right. It will be well worth it. There really isn't any cutting corners when it comes to rebuilding these things.

Thanks I will do that. I found the Guy I was looking for in Ocala and he is willing to rebuild it for me.
Thanks for the advice.

I waisted money dropping a jdm engine into the bay of my 1st fd when I was younger. Well now with all I have learned over the last 4 years and looking at the engine build from the first build up, I basically through out a pretty nicely upgraded twin Turbo setup from go them racing. Well I still had. The pfc and fuel set up along with the lim and uim.and exhaust. But the port job that's what smacked me in the face when I looked at the receipt from Gotham racing after 3 years. Rebuilding it withe th single turbo set up that I dropped in the new engine would have been thousands and produced at least 50+ HP built and tuned by pros.

i wanna do a turo set up on my 1985 rx7 gsl 12a but not sure witch way to go yet. i am doing alot of reserch befor i make a move but am injoying fixing up just what i have so far.

There is really nothing to the carb rebuild. Just read the instructions, take pictures, have the kit out ready and have a clean work space. Have some time to dedicate to the rebuild. You don't really want to get a little done and then have to wait a week to get back to it. It is actually kind of fun. Like you said if you have trouble send it in.

if you have rebuilt some in the passed an feel comfortable then do it your self if not send it an have the pros do it

Yeah spend the money and get it done right! your time is more valuable.

Does anyone know of a good rotary shop in or around st louis mo

Just picked up a 93 and it blew the motor shortly after

Not to rebuild. To swap!

You have two carbs, so try rebuilding one yourself first and if you get it right do the other one at your leisure, if not turn it in and still drive your car till it is done then swap.

go for it

I agree go for it, and rebuild the right way and you learn something new in the process

I agree. I would love to find a perfect body 3rd gen on the cheap and build the motor and suspension up without cutting anycorners.

Do you want to go back original just a rebuild ?