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Glad to hear you're well, sorry we missed you, maybe next year!
I added two new treasures to the stable this weekend, found them just ~5 miles from me. If I can easily register the brown one I think I'm going to focus on it first, it's pretty complete, has a RB exhaust, LSD rear, suspension upgrades, a glass sunroof. The SA is decent too, it has Panasports, some suspension work, and I have most of the interior parts it needs.
They both seem to be pretty decent! I put the FB on the lift and it's clean underneath with minimal damage, just a smidge of rust near the rear passenger side tow hook. The SA seems solid too, other than that tweaked fender I haven't seen any other rust, I hope to get it in the air soon to check the underside.
I am going to the tag office soon to ensure I can register them (no titles and not certain who the FB was previously registered to). If I don't have any trouble, the brown FB will be the one I'll focus on first. The current plan is to drop in a known good 12A, fix the sticky rear brakes, and swap on a set of wheels with good tires
I was able to register both cars in my name, thankfully no BS at the tag office. Cost me $63 for both cars, including taxes, what a deal!
I am starting with the brown FB, it is the most complete of the two cars and makes sense to tackle first. Although long term I think I want to fix up the SA and keep it as my sole first gen, building it the way I want with a nice carbureted FC 13B, stout T2 trans, maroon leather interior, glass sunroof, lowered on the Panasports with a big wing and front air dam. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
The original engine in this car was toast, it had weak compression on both rotors, the front sounded like it had lost a side seal. So my kid and I pulled the 12A from my red 85 racecar, I had gotten it to run a few months ago and it had great compression. It cleaned up good with a light scrub and pressure wash. After some finagling I got it and the transmission to mate together and installed both together into the car, replacing the 4 puck ACT clutch with an OEM kit in the process. I can't recommend installing an engine and trans bolted together... what a pain in the *** that was, even with the car on a lift. Thankfully I had a helper, see the last pic below
I figured out why nothing in the interior was getting any power... Someone took all of the fuses out! I replaced those last night and everything seems to work other than the hatch release and gauge cluster lights. After getting the fuel door to open, I drained the tank and the gas coming out appeared clean and didn't smell too old. I don't think these cars were sitting for as long as I initially thought, maybe a year or two. I flushed a little gas through the tank and it came out just as clean as it went in. This afternoon I installed a new fuel pump and filter and am currently in the middle of replacing all of the old fuel hoses. Oh and I got that god awful Autozone spoiler removed!
I got the brakes to free up so it rolls better (I found it has stainless lines all around!). I put on a set of stock plus wheels with old race tires for now. A few more hours of wrenching and I think I can try starting it. I know the carb will need to be rebuilt. Once I get it running and halfway driving, it will get a brake overhaul, wheel bearings, steering and suspension bushings, diff fluid, a good interior cleaning, etc. I plan to refinish the 15" Enkei mesh wheels that it came with and get those back on. It needs a few random brown interior pieces, like a steering column cover, lower dash trim, hatch carpet, and a radio surround. Then eventually it will get some body panels swapped out, a little body work, and a backyard paint job - maybe the original brown, maybe tender blue or green or yellow or white or gold or silver.
This has been a fun project, I'm happy to be wrenching on a first gen again, even if it is a dirty old turd
@BrettLinton7 Awesome progress! Working with helpers can definitely help the time pass! Your cluster lights may have the brightness turned all the way down, the hatch actuator may be frozen up too from sitting, only reason I say this is one of my projects actuator was frozen up and as soon as I sprayed some pb blaster/lubricant/etc it freed right up. Also with those cluster lights my field car had the same problem and after turning on the lights over and over one day they just came on keep us updated! Im excited to see where this goes!
@BrettLinton7 Awesome progress! Working with helpers can definitely help the time pass! Your cluster lights may have the brightness turned all the way down, the hatch actuator may be frozen up too from sitting, only reason I say this is one of my projects actuator was frozen up and as soon as I sprayed some pb blaster/lubricant/etc it freed right up. Also with those cluster lights my field car had the same problem and after turning on the lights over and over one day they just came on keep us updated! Im excited to see where this goes!
Thanks! It turns out the cluster lights did indeed work, I just couldn't tell... I still have to investigate the hatch issue. The car is coming along! First drive was a mess, it had no power and ran bad, turns out I had the leading and trailing coil wires flipped. Once I figured that out, I drove it down the road and back on Friday. The carb doesn't seem to like it under ~3000 RPMs, plus the rear brakes are very sticky, so it takes a lot of clutch slipping to get it going I already have a carb rebuild kit, I will tackle that first then get into the brakes. Progress!
I found out this turd was previously in the OGTA family in the 2010s and dug up these old photos:
Thanks! It turns out the cluster lights did indeed work, I just couldn't tell... I still have to investigate the hatch issue. The car is coming along! First drive was a mess, it had no power and ran bad, turns out I had the leading and trailing coil wires flipped. Once I figured that out, I drove it down the road and back on Friday. The carb doesn't seem to like it under ~3000 RPMs, plus the rear brakes are very sticky, so it takes a lot of clutch slipping to get it going I already have a carb rebuild kit, I will tackle that first then get into the brakes. Progress!
I found out this turd was previously in the OGTA family in the 2010s and dug up these old photos:
Looking forward to watching this build!! Sounds like typical sitting for years 7 things! Keep us updated!
Ray!! Brett!! Any body else!! How yall doing? Been a while but I still think of you guys. No rotaries in my life but after being bounced out of every job (they all hate me) I restarted my old business last year. Busier than a one armed paper hanger…I’ve got my machine shop back up and running. All alone naturally!! Hers a pic of my shop. From back of shop From front door.. 550 square feet
Same building my dad and I built in 1984. Brother still owns it rents me the space. One fourth of the space I had back then but it’s all I need. Hope you boys are good! I know that ain’t nearly possible for Ray but I’ll bet his Silver dream car is real good!! Hers the latest from me. Sold my NC April last year to open the shop. picked this one up in Ky couple weeks ago. It’s the one. 34k 04 Mazdaspeed Mx5 with Flyin Miata turbo Lil Enchilada full kit. 205 whp. Near mint. New tires going on it tomorrow. Swapping out all the fluids next week. Shocks in my near future. Other than that it perfect. Sorry it’s got pistons… but they’re really nice pistons Mr. tirebiter!!
Hope you guys chime in. Lots of names I probably forgot.. Hope you’re all still with the program.
