hi guys,
just wanted to share a few pics and try to get some help on the final stages of my build.
Started the build off with a 79' RX-7 i got when i was about 16-17. i could never keep the rotary running long enough to enjoy it, and for about 10 years the car just kind of sat in the garage. My brother started building an AC cobra kit car, and since we share an interest in cars i figured i would get the RX-7 running so we could cruise once his is finished. It didn't take long to decide it was time to pull the Rotary and try something new.
Around thanksgiving i found a car only about 30 miles from my place with a swapped 302 in it, but the car had a ton of rot and was pretty well shot. So i went and bought it and began stripping the 302 & t-5 out of it. pulling the old parts out of the car was a pretty seamless job. Then it was time to pull the Rotary from my car, again this was pretty simple, i only had about 1 long evening in the garage to get it out of the car.

while the motor and cross member were out i did a little clean up on my engine bay. i went to work on getting the cross member relocated, cutting the trans support, and opening up the tunnel for the shifter.
while doing this i decided i wanted a little more out of the 302, so i thought a cam would do the trick. That was when problem 1 came out, as i pulled the stock cam to out one evening i heard metal sounds, and soon realized the cam bearings where shot. So after some debate it was decided to do a rebuild on it while it was out. I ended up ordering a set of Trick Flow 11R 170 heads while i was at it. I hit a few snags putting the motor back together, i got in a hurry and nicked a cam bearing, so i had to order another set of cam bearings. i started test fitting the motor and realized that i needed to do some reshaping of the firewall. so a little hammering got that job done.
i wasn't crazy about the pull type slave that most people were running, so since my brother is doing the cobra with a T-5 and SBF, i copied his slave cylinder mount and installed a push type. finally we ended up getting the motor dropped in. Everything fit up pretty good, i did get some different valve covers and they were a little larger then the old stock ones so i had to make some late tweaks on the fire wall and heater hoses. After running some wiring building a few radiator mounts, and some other different things i was ready to fire it up.
first start up was fairly disappointing. Engine wasn't running on all 8, and it really didn't sounds all that great. i suspected timing so i began adjusting the timing, and i could get a slightly better sound from the car, but it was still missing and really choppy. After some debate i pulled the valve covers and started checking the rockers. me being new to hydraulic lifters, i must have set everything a little to tight, i backed off most of the rockers, and hit the key again. The motor sounded great now, we made a few tweaks to the timing. however my issue now was i couldn't get enough stroke on my slave cylinder to get the clutch disengaged. i thought it was air so i spent entirely to much time trying to bleed it with no change in results. so i found a larger master cylinder and swapped it out. just like that we had plenty of travel on the clutch fork. the final task i had for the most part was putting hte hood back on, and that was another disappointment. the hood wouldn't clear the intake at all. so i pulled the hood off the parts car cut a hole in it and managed to get it to close up.

so thats where i am for now. i've got to get it to an exhaust shop to finish routing the exhaust.

here is where i need some help, right now i've got fuel tank issues, my tank was in pretty bad shape. since its a 79' i need the smaller tank with the big indent for the spare tire. which i can not find one anywhere. i have been considering a fuel cell, but i really would like to hear from someone that uses one. does it smell the inside of the car up? Does anyone have a good tank from a 79? This is pretty much my biggest hang up right now with the car. once i get a tank and can get good fuel flow i'll be set.

here is a link to the album with all the pictures from the build.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/M5wN2yoPUNYSSPyV9

 

I run a fuel cell in mine, if you vent the cell through a charcoal canister smell should be minimal, also try to mount the fuel cell underneath so you don't have to cut the floor, or if you mount it in the trunk build a cover for it that seals.

 

is the tank leaking?
if not they make some pretty good cleaners and sealants for them.

mine is an 80' and it cleaned up. (no more clogged filters after clean, seal and a few cheapo filters used up)

made my own charcoal canister from charcoal, plastic bottle and some vent line to it

I have no experience with fuel cells, but there is plenty of room under there for one.....especially if you are removing the spare tire area.


glad you are back at it. mine is done, but I don't drive it much. more of a fire it up and run like a scolded dog for a bit. it gets the heart pumping before I even start driving lol

 

from here

https://www.car-part.com

searches junkyards. I have seen a lot of 7's in the carolinas. I would think there is one out there.

Year
1979
Rear Clip
Mazda RX7 2 DR,YELLOW,BUCKET,RWD AS-IS 000 A
0 1C0126 $Call Case Used Parts #1 USA-SC(Marion) Request_Quote 843-423-4711 / 800-234-2928 Request_Insurance_Quote
142

I just searched rear clip, as it might have the tank still and you can call them, really just search for many diff types of parts to see if they have an rx7 on the yard.


edit: i searched driveshaft and a LOT came up. at least 4 within 100 miles of you
1979
Rear Drive Shaft
Mazda RX7 X 30296 $Call 216 Reliable Auto Parts USA-NC(Kings-Mtn.) Request_Quote 1-704-435-1254 Request_Insurance_Quote
77 miles from you and has a gas tank.

 

morning guys,
i had a question for you all who have done the swaps. i hooked my oil pressure sensor into the dummy light on the car, and it's constantly lit up? i know I have good oil pressure. will the SBF sensor not work with the OEM mazda light? Also can't seem to get the temp gauge to work. i put my old mazda sensor into an adapter in the ford intake, so i'm not sure why the temp gauge isn't coming up. Same with the add coolant light, it's constantly on. any ideas on how to fix that?

i got a fuel cell installed in the hatch to get me through this year, gonna relocate it this winter when I'm not driving it. Also ordered a scoop for the hood since it had to get cut. brakes and exhaust work are all complete. i'm hoping to get it on the street saturday.