1980 Mazda RX7

Tiny
JJLIM
  • MEMBER
  • 1980 MAZDA RX7
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 135,000 MILES
What should I do before staring the engine of a 1980 RX7 that is stock for 8 years?
Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 8:33 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Pull the plugs and add a mixture of oil and diesel, enough to soak into the rings, let sit for a day. Then attempt to turn the engine by hand, do not crank as if you have a stuck ring you may break it, when the engine is turning freely, drain sump change filter and crank over with no plugs to get up oil pressure, fit plugs, change fuel filter drain tank and add fresh fuel, check coolant and do a start, you may find oil leaks and coolant leaks are next on the problem list as seals do dry out and shrink and start leaking.
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 8:57 AM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
This is a list for just starting the engine and not driving the car.
8 years is a long time, but with one of the most sought after of all the RXs. Do it right.
The following is a bare minimum list, truly a full service, (meaning most extensive task list) for a vehicle is such long storage;

Run a compression and leak down test.
Remove all plugs and inspect tem and any part of the armature you can see through the plug holes.
Run a coolant system pressure test.

Inspect all ignition components for corrosion
Inspect and test or replace all spark plug wires and spark plugs.

Inspect and replace any vacuum lines that look damaged or are not pliable to the touch.
Do the same with heater hoses, by-pass coolant hoses and radiator hoses.

Replace thermostat and anti-freeze while flushing out the old thoroughly before replacing with new. Most flushes suggest motor running to flush. Remember though anti-freeze is an important lubricant and you should at least make an attempt before it is running and you can flush it while running. Run the heater when you are doing this to flush the heater core.
Change transmission fluid and if applicable filter. Even if you don't move the car yet, the input may spin.
Replace oil and filter.

By hand with spark plugs out, turn the motor around a few times.
Check air filter and intake tract for debris.

Check and test battery and cables.
Inspect all accessory belts and if cranked or not pliable, replace.

EMPTY THE ENTIRE GAS TANK AND GET NEW GAS. WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THE CAR OVER, HAVE A FUEL LINE NEAREST THE INJECTOR RAIL AND FILL IT WITH TOWELS AS IT WILL BE COMING OUT AT 55 PSI.

When you first crabk it iver, don't try to start it, buiild up pressures and listen for issues and look for leaks.

I hope this information helps.
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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 AT 9:20 AM

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