Rx7 1982 12a won’t idle
 

Welcome to the board. :)

Well, it sounds like you're on your way to fresh tune up, so that's a solid base. Are you able to drive the car, but it just won't hold a solid idle? I just want to get an idea of what exactly is going on with it. How long has this been happening? Do yo still have the cats in place?

For your idle problem:
1. First get a service manual - I like Haynes, but assuming they are still around, Chilton makes one, too. Also, make sure to download a copy of the FSM from Foxed.ca
2. Check for vacuum leaks. It may be in your best interest to just systematically go through an replace all the vacuum lines
3. Clean the carburetor
4. Let the car warm up and go through the procedure to set idle mixture and speed

The exhaust is, indeed, a possibility. If the cats have self-destructed, then they may be occluding flow. To check/eliminate it from your list, you can pull the exhaust downpipe off the manifold and start the car. Disclaimer: it WILL BE LOUD!!! and you will want to remove any possibly combustible material from anywhere near the car. However, if it idles fine, then you know the cats are clogged/dead. If it still won't idle, then you're looking for the problem elsewhere.

If you use your foot to hold the throttle open, will it stay running? Also, are you sure the choke is connected and working properly?

I don’t have a choke when I bought the car it didn’t come with one but it was the exhaust it idled fine afterwards so I’m currently running only the headers thank you for your help. The exhaust had water in it

Glad you got it sorted.

I’m having the same issue. So many different possibilities. This is my next step. Thanks.

First check all vacuum lines and reference a Haynes manual to make sure everything is in the right port.
Also check to make sure the rotor is not pushed all the way done preventing the rotor from sparking against tips on the cap.
While doing this it’s also a good time to make sure the pick up for the distributor isn’t damaged in anyway.

So far we have changed the fuel pump, filters, distributor, plugs.

Next we we are pulling the gas tank and cleaning and carb rebuild. Hopefully that’s the fix.

Does the car idle at all or starts and then immediately dies?

this fixed it. The rust and gunk from the tank was clogging the jets.