Project Car Enabler

Helped my friend drag home an 87' RX7 project car today. It has been sitting for about five years and is a non-runner, automatic. He has dreams of engine swaps floating through his head (LS1, VG, VQ, SBF, SBC,...) but I want to see if we can get the rotors spinning again so it can move around the yard under its own power. What is the best way to bring a dormant rotary back to life? Someone was toying with the AFM and had it ripped apart in the trunk, I told him to toss it and get a fresh one from the junkyard. What other AFMs will match up? I know older miatas and rx7 AFMs are compatible.

$250.
Already locked the keys in it once since neither outer door handle is currently functioning.

drop a $200 carbed 350 in it and forget it.

What I do is remove the top spark plugs on each rotor housing, and check for compression on each face of each rotor. I do this by inserting a length of hose into the spark plug hole and place the other end next to my ear whilst I turn the engine over with a wrench on the front pulley. I want to here 6 evenly spaced hissing noises that represent 6 compressions every 2 turns. Sometimes it is necessary to squirt about a tablespoon of oil into each rotor housing to build compression. How many miles on it?

Should start with: hopefully it turns over by hand first

One of the few cars posted on here that may be worth ONLY as much as you paid for it...or even less, if the engine and or transmission are snafu.

bruceman wrote: What I do is remove the top spark plugs on each rotor housing, and check for compression on each face of each rotor. I do this by inserting a length of hose into the spark plug hole and place the other end next to my ear whilst I turn the engine over with a wrench on the front pulley. I want to here 6 evenly spaced hissing noises that represent 6 compressions every 2 turns. Sometimes it is necessary to squirt about a tablespoon of oil into each rotor housing to build compression. How many miles on it?

Make sure you don't push the hose in too far!

Also, I don't think the AFM's are the same between Miatas and Rx7's. They may look the same on teh outside, but not necessarily in their "tuning". AFM's for non-turbo RX7's are readily available and cheap! I may have one I can send you.

Check out this link: http://www.aaroncake.net/RX-7/unstore.htm

The Aaron Cake link is good.

Rather than using ATF to restore compression, I suggest using 90 weight gear oil. That is just a personal preference, since the car is designed to run with oil in the engine, not ATF. I'd also put the oil in, crank it, put a little more oil in, crank it and then let it sit for a few hours.

You can also check compression by getting a regular compression tester and either removing the schrader valve or holding it open. You want three even bounces on the tester per rotor face.

nitro, went to a salvage yard today in pa, had a few nice rx7s, with afm's. I'm sure they'd let go cheap. Its the one on off connely rd, think its called state line. pretty neat place as well.

johnp2 wrote: nitro, went to a salvage yard today in pa, had a few nice rx7s, with afm's. I'm sure they'd let go cheap. Its the one on off connely rd, think its called state line. pretty neat place as well.

What is the name of the salvage yard? What town is it in?

Thanks!

Rob

Brett_Murphy wrote: The Aaron Cake link is good. Rather than using ATF to restore compression, I suggest using 90 weight gear oil. That is just a personal preference, since the car is designed to run with oil in the engine, not ATF. I'd also put the oil in, crank it, put a little more oil in, crank it and then let it sit for a few hours.

The idea with ATF is to 'decoke' the engine because of the high detergent contents of ATF. 90 oil will help with the compression but is probably not that good at softening the carbon that's potentially making the seals stick to the rotor.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

True. I've used ATF as a last resort, but in a flooded engine or one that turns on its own, I use oil. As I said, personal preference.

wvumtnbkr wrote:

johnp2 wrote: nitro, went to a salvage yard today in pa, had a few nice rx7s, with afm's. I'm sure they'd let go cheap. Its the one on off connely rd, think its called state line. pretty neat place as well.

What is the name of the salvage yard? What town is it in? Thanks! Rob

Rob, I can show you where it is but I don't know the name of it as I haven't visited yet. Its on Rt. 222 south just before the PA-MD border on the right side. Search for "Jenkins Corner, PA."

In other news, the car may be running tomorrow. The engine turns over, the starter works.

Needs the tank drained, AFM hooked up, and some new plugs. Any maybe my buddy remembered what plug wires go where.

In reply to Nitroracer:

The coils should be labeled L1, T1, L2, T2. The leading wires go on the bottom plugs, and I think the ones closest to the firewall are the 1 and the ones closest to the radiator are 2, but I won't say I'm positive without looking it up.