You forgot to mention the Rainbow Farts Mike, but that's OK. I'll show you what those look like when the car is done.

Hey, I'm desperate. Does anybody have either a spare aluminum wheel for a 2002/2003 Mazda Protege5 or know how to straighten one that has a warp?

They look like this:



One of the wheels on my MP5 is a bit warped and I can't get the wheel balanced until it's round. I've beat the local bushes, but can't find one for sale.

Any help greatly appreciated, good for one free beer at the next OGTA meeting and I'll also introduce you to the Little Blonde.

 

Ray, there's a tool for that. Costs a lot. I watched a guy true a similar rim a couple months ago. He used a torch, a hammer, and a wheel machine. He got it looking right, too.

Edit: Warped, or flat spot?

 

speaking of white one II ray, has any progress been made on it?

 

Here is a place not far from you Ray that can fix it for you.

Aluminum Rim Repair - Alloy Wheel Repair in Atlanta and Nationwide - Refinishing Aluminum Wheels

 

The MP5 rim must be warped Cook, I can't see a problem with it. Or else the tire shop is exaggerating a bit, making some business, if you know what I mean.

We need to be able to handle this problem in the driveway.

I remounted it and will give it a spin in the morning, will let you know.

Robert, I'll give those rim dudes a call in the morning, thanks. The Little Blonde's name is Liz.

Project7, I'll get photos of the WOT tomorrow, mostly she's got vines growing on her right now but she's just shouting Give Me the SkyActiv!

 

If you have a dial indicator you can check it for warpage and runout in the driveway. I dont know what the factory spec for that wheel would be but for the 1st gen Rx-7 s the limit is about 30 thousanths, if I remember corectly.

The new wheels I just put on mine have about 8 thousanths and they are smooth as silk.

If you are brave enough you may be able to tweak them a little with a BFH (big friggin hammer) and a block of wood. This would be more effective on lateral runout rather than radial runout. I think.

One thing that could be done is have them checked on a Road Force balancer. Its so fancy that it checks the rims for trueness and then checks the tires for trueness AND uneven sidewall stiffness, and tells the technician how to index the tire on the rim so that one compensates for the other resulting in a smoother ride. Most tire people dont really like to mess with it cause its more work for them mounting and dismounting the tires and all, so they dont really sell it to folks. Most tire shops have them, just use em like regular balancers.

 

Thanks for the tips Robert! I owe you a beer your next trip over and Liz is eager to meet you.

I remounted the wheel on the rear hub so I could spin it freely and sure enough, it's clearly out of round, without measuring I'd guess about 3/16", although this wasn't enough to notice when driving and mounted in the rear.

But with that wheel destined to go on the front it needs to be fixed, so I gave up trying to save a few bucks and am having the tire shop farm it out for $100. Nice pocket change for 10 minutes work! And they do dynamic balancing, which sounds like that Road Force balancer you describe.

The market was flooded with those MP5 wheels a few years ago, where are they when you need them?!

Hey, did y'all hear the news? Mike is going SkyActiv.

Here's a couple shots of the current state of the WOT project. It doesn't look like much has been done because, well, not much has been done.





If anybody is looking for an RX-4, we have a real nice one for sale cheap out here in Jefferson.

 

I'll gladly accept the beer, but I think we should introduce Liz to one of the younger members to avoid marital distress in the Watson houshold!!!!

I can see signs of progress.

On the house anyway. I see fresh Tyvek and new windows!!

About the Rx-4 I did some checking and found out that in Alabama you can register any car older than 25 years without a title.

FYI

 

Yes, I am looking at replacing the Mountaineer. Anyone have a good contact at any of the local Mazda dealerships? I am considering going with a CX-5.

 

Robert, there's a new trend, started by that basketball player, where wives are allowing men one cheat a year. You should sign up.

And Dr. Watson, that RX-4 would look great in your driveway. Why don't you pm Kevin a low ball offer?

Mike, we bought the Mazda3 from the Mazda dealer in Gainesville just so I wouldn't have to give Jim Ellis any business. The Ellis Empire is just too aggressive, too slick and too short on the customer satisfaction for me to go back after we got the MP5 from them in 2002.

Can't go wrong with the CX-5, I almost got one myself. But I'd recommend the Sport model over the Touring or Grand Touring for the following reasons:

1) You would save $3,500 or more, which could be funneled into the Blue One (new paint, a few other goodies for under the hood, maybe?)

2) You can't get the standard transmission in the Touring models. That SkyActiv 6 speed automatic is nice, I drove one, smooth as silk and engages at 5 mph, much lower than other autos (thus a SkyActiv element) but with all the rest of that CX-5 sportiness you'll be wishing you were rowing the shifter if you don't go manual.

3) Better gas mileage with the 2.0 L engine (26/35 vs 25/32 mpg). Drive the 2.5 L engine, but I don't think you will find it all that faster than the more fuel efficient 2.0 and the manual tranny will more than make up for it.

4) Better for your image. You don't want people thinking you're some rich guy, do you?

 

Mike, I thought you were planning on replacing the mountaineer with an RX-8?

 

I don't know how to do it. Don't you need special tools and a rotary engine stand? Billy? Crit? Wanna work out a deal?

 

Tommy, I was thinking RX-8. But, I like to go backpacking. Have you been on those forest service roads? Think about turtle on it's back. Still like the 8s, but might need something more versatile.

 

You can get an RX8, then anytime you need something a little more rugged, I'll gladly swap my truck with you for the day :-)

But then again, I've found that rotaries can be quite versatile, not just good for their looks... example:

 

OK, it's been a slow summer so far, but Brett's RX-7 tow truck photo got me thinking - Time for some Outrageous Mods!:







And this from our buddies down under:

Driver charged over car with no steering wheel - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

I gotta say I think I threw up a little bit when I seen that Camaro.

 

What are you talking about Mike? I've used my 8 as a pickup, minicab, camping vehicle, and jeep recovery vehicle. And yes I have been on some of those forest service roads with the 8. You just have to keep the stock suspension height and be careful. Don't give in to the internet know it all's that say you have to have 4 wheel drive and a 5 ft ground clearance to drive through a dirt parking lot. 8's are a lot more capable than you think. Both on and off the road. You can have style, speed, comfort, and versatility all in one vehicle!

 

Next Tuesday is the August OGTA meet. I'll buy a picher for anyone who shows up with a vise grip for steering wheel. Two pichers for anyone who shows up in gold plated rotary.

 

Rofl

 

Why do I get the feeling that Billy, Crit and Gene have "Been there, done that"

 

On the race track, no less.

Hey Greg (the Elder, not the Younger), while you're redoing your exhaust system, you might want to consider installing some resonator bearings, big boost in power.

They're available at Atkins:

Resonator Muffler Bearings

 

Ray, thanks for posting up the resonator bearings. What a deal. I ordered a some for both of my zoom zooms.

 

Yep, those resonator bearings rock.

You gonna post pics of your new Mazda CX-5 Mike, or what?

If you'd like, I can stop by your house before the OGTA meeting next Tuesday and drive the Five over to Buford for folks to see.

 

Resonator Muffler Bearings! Wow that's great! I gotta gets me some a does!

Hey Ray what year and model is your new project car?

 

Ray, this would look really cool in the White One Deux.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...shape-1039848/