RX-7 build log, special edition....It's alive

I had a good friend flying buddy that owned a Probe too, was a big Stars Wars fan, only reason he bought it I think.

Four injectors two for each housing.  Oil injected directly into each housing "cylinder" if you will.  Pan oil pump lubes the moving parts separately.  Injectors just to lube the apex seals.  



Fun starting it, smoke, white mostly burned off 15 years of neglect and excess Marvel Mystery Oil.  Fresh oil in the pan.  Disturbes me when I see these  started with years old oil in the sump.

Thanks Bob on the clarification. Separate injection would make sense. The droplets are larger and directed properly would better lubricate the seals. Whereas, in the fuel it would less likely land directly on the "cylinder" surfaces, be diluted and combust wih the gas, IMO.

The rotary engine and controls are a work of art. I was similarly impressed with the Mazda emmissions and cooling engineering on my old 1970 1800 with single SU style carburetor. With then considered new technology gas shock absorbers, it had a very nice gliding ride over the roads, even smoother than my parents 1968 Chevrolet Caprice (deluxe Impala). A friend comment that on the highway, it was like riding in an airplane.

Only downside back then was not many parts manufacturers made parts for it. I had to go to the dealer and pay about 4 times more for most parts, even shocks.

Good for you, Bob. I love the feeling of a resurrection.

Ah, the Ford Probe...and Lindsey Wagner. She made me want that car.

Congratulations Bob!!….Gotta be a neat feeling to get it to run….. Weeds out a lot of “could have been worse” things….Getting the engine going was huge but you hit a home run with that window motor too!!!…. It looked pretty roasted!!!…..Model airplane build and repair technology fits a lot of things right?   …... A great time for you and your son, Has to be very satisfying

Yes, a good feeling.  I would have been really bummed if neither worked.  The big surprise was the window motor.  I did not give it a chance.  

After Mark left I put it in reverse and backed it out of the garage.  Thankfully a good clutch with no judder a lingering concern after a fifteen year sit.  Rebuilt brakes too worked fine.  While I had it out I checked that the alternator was charging, the gas gauge works, not warm enough for the temperture gauge, thermostat had not opened yet but still no oil pressure although the only idiot light that was lit was the window washers.  

Ordered a new OP sender from RockAuto.  Aftermarket at $49.00 vice $124.00 for OEM.  10mm wrench, unscrew it, undo the electrical lead and screw the new one in.  RX-7 forum, Mark, a member says a common problem with these.  



Now I'm worried about those oil injectors.................

Add...Story about that window motor. First we tried it with a remote battery, didn't work. I was about to remove the gear box cover when Mark plugged it into the cars socket and grounded the frame while I operated the switch. When it came to life, Mark who was holding the motor jumped an inch. Hit the other side of the rocker switch and it reversed. Smooth as silk. We were both surprised.

rsv1cox wrote:Now I'm worried about those oil injectors.................

Doesn't the mechanics manual describe a procedure to check that the oil injectors work correctly?

rsv1cox wrote:Add...Story about that window motor.  First we tried it with a remote battery, didn't work. I was about to remove the gear box cover when Mark plugged it into the cars socket and grounded the frame while I operated the switch.  When it came to life, Mark who was holding the motor jumped an inch.  Hit the other side of the rocker switch and it reversed.  Smooth as silk.  We were both surprised.

There is always joy when something you repaired works properly the first time. You basically rehabilitated the motor, so there is no reason why it would not work. You also did a better job I believe than many rebuilding shops.

I remember one time purchasing a rebuilt power steering for my 1976 Ford Pinto from one of the big name autoparts stores in LA. Their refurbisher basically took a very worn out and battered pump and put new bearing and seals on it. My original was in better shape except needed a new seal. However, I needed it repaired ASAP and so reluctantly installed it.

Good job on getting some smoke in the air , I know the feeling when a plan comes together and there is nothing like it

getback wrote:Good job on getting some smoke in the air , I know the feeling when a plan comes together and there is nothing like it

Yes, smoke scads of it.

First time I started it I had the garage door closed not really expecting it to start on the first try. Pessimist!  But it started with barely a revolution.  Shut it down opened the garage door and hit it again.  Smoke, Marvel Mystery Oil, 15 years of who knows what plus maybe a dead mouse or two blown out of the twin tail pipes. Starts like Honda motorcycles, tickle the starter and it's running.  Starter has received attention too as the bendix was only catching on about every fifth try.  It's amazing what a little clean-up and lubrication can do.

Oil injection, not new but unique and necessary to Wankels.  I'm just learning about it.  Under the intake manifold are four clear hard plastic tubes that I thought were emissions.  




This is kinda cool:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzR09DqJdx4

Getting it started was the easy part.  Now the hard work begins................

Add - No RX-7 today, got to replace the brake pads on a mower that I'm giving to my daughter.  I have ran it with no brakes for years, but I wouldn't trust my daughter with it.  Huge things.