My 1979 Mazda RX7
I've been in the market for project car for some time now but I just don't have the resources to start my dream car. I recently came across a 1979 RX7 that this guy had started restoring, but had too many other projects going on so he was willing to give it up. I was able to pick it up for a very reasonable $250. Not bad since I figured that in the worst case, I could part it out for at least that much. For that price, he was also willing to throw in a spare 12A motor. This is where this project begins...


Inventory:

• (1) 1979 Mazda RX7 SA22C (yellow) w/ sunroof
• (2) 12A Rotary engines:
• The engine in the car rotates freely and appears to have decent compression. The carburator was removed to be rebuilt and is currently sitting in the front passenger seat.
• The spare engine is a complete 12A but appears to be carbon locked. It will require more investigation to determine what needs to be done but that will come later.
• (1) Complete stock RX7 Nikki carburator in dire need of a rebuild.
• (2) RX7 seemingly complete carburator rebuild kits.
• (3) complete spare tires. The spare tire in the under the rear deck is intact and in good condition. There are also 2 more wheels on the rear deck with relatively new tires on them. so I effectively have 7 complete wheel/tire sets for the car.
• (1) relatively thrashed interior. Ya, this is going to take some work.
• (1) box of spare parts/bolts/misc. junk... including what appears to be the original AM/FM Stereo
• (1) Installed Pioneer "Premier" CD player which appears to have some brown overspray from when one of the previous owners attempted to spray paint the center console a dark brown
• (1) somewhat abused Haynes manual for a 1979 Mazda RX7 (ahh, now I've struck paydirt...)

I am not a professional mechanic and any information found here is strictly speaking from my own personal experience and/or opinion. If you choose to use any of the information provied, you do so at your own risk. I cannot take any responsibility or liability for the correctness or accuracy of this information. Proceed at your own risk.

The first goal is to finish the carburator rebuild. Fortunately the haynes manual I found in the box of junk will come in quite handy here. It includes a step by step photo journal of the carburator disassembly. I've got the carburator completely dis-assembled and have found a considerable ammount of residue inside. A little soaking in carb cleaner and an old toothbrush should solve this problem. Now it's time to start re-assembly. Following the disassembly procedure in reverse will help me get everything back where it needs to be. I labeled each of the numerous jets and air valves so I could get them exactly in the same spots the came out of. As I re-assemble the carburator, I'll replace all the worn seals, jets and gaskets, with new ones from the included rebuild kit.

more to come...

NOTE: All products and services mentioned in this article are trademarked by their respective companies. The information provided is provided under US and international copywrite laws. Duplication of any kind is only permitted with written permission of the author.

Additional links:

• super chargers? Cool!: http://www.camdensuperchargers.com/index.php?pag=402
• SLC Rotary clubhttp://www.slcrotary.com