Hello all, I am new to forums and new to anything practical with rotaries, so I hope this is in the right place and ok to ask. I am 20 years old and looking at buying my first project car. I am not new to internal combustion engines, just to rotaries, but the potential of the rx7 as a "fun" car has always had me interested.

I recently found a 1982 rx7 for cheap. He says the apex seal broke but the car will still run. The seller says the car ran and drove fine until the seal broke. He encouraged me to check it out and bring someone who knew what they were doing. He doesn't seem to know much about rotaries either, but having never bought one I was wondering if I could get some guidance on what to check over before taking the car home.

Basic information about the car:
It has 160k miles. I don't know if it has been rebuilt before or not. It has been sitting for 7-8 months. The body and interior are solid and look well taken care of.

What can/should I check?
Is it ok to start the engine long enough to hear it run?
What are some red flags that would indicate improper maintenance or other damage?
The price worries me a little (about 1/3 of other non-running rx7's in my area) Does he not know what he has or does he know something I don't?

 

https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...x7-**-1039188/

and is he says the "apex seal is broke but still runs",then you are looking at a Rebuild of the engine,and the cost will vary as it is depending on how bad the internals are.

 

Check the carburetor condition, if it was stripped/stock/aftermarket.
Since it's an old car, fuel lines and rust under the hatch (near that fuel tank)
Gaskets near the intake.

 

Guess I should've asked the same question before yesterday. My son just bought a 1985. We jumped in with both feet. Have no clue what I'm in for! LOL

 

Thanks guys. A lot of good information. I checked the car out and am now the proud owner of my first rx7. The body had no rust, the interior was in great shape for its age, and it just felt right to sit in it. So I guess I'm going to be doing a restoration thread once I save up some money. In the mean time I'll be doing a lot of lurking and maybe asking a few questions to decide exactly where I want to go with this build.

 

Nothing quite like sitting in that cockpit for the first time when you hear that peanut fire up.

 

^^^