Two years ago, I rescued an '85 RX-7 from the Springs police impound for $400. At the time it was a vehicle of necessity. Tires were wrecked, had two random spare-like rims on there and 2 regular rims, had no muffler, and it was rough. The car quickly became a passion - went to an online RX7 junkyard (rx7addict's ebay shop, GREAT resource by the way [search rx7addict in google shop]), and the upullandpay here in town. Got a few classic rims to replace the busted ones on there, some extra body parts, gave it some love.
The problem that buried her was one I didn't notice: the thing had been put up on a pretty tall curb or something else big and hard, and the frame was irrevocably bent/damage. There was a slow decline to an undriveable vehicle over the next year. But, the damage was done. First 85 RX-7 put to the graveyard before her time. But, more damage was done: I was hooked.
After a year of saving and scrounging for one in my (minuscule college student) price-range for a side vehicle/daily driver, I found one in Denver just a week ago. Rescued her, and she's beautiful in the she's-seen-more-of-the-road-than-anyone-else way. Dings, dents, and a proper 12A purr.
I'll be coming here to tap into the local knowledge. Right now, I'm waiting on a dipstick from the 'net since it was something that was missing. I don't want to drive her too much without being able to tell how much oil she's eating. I'm not sure how the previous owner managed oil without it, but I'm left uneasy.
To start off, I have three questions:
1) What's the normal oil pressure and temperature for an RX-7, per the default gauges? My oil pressure sits usually at 60, sometimes goes up to just below the hash before the 120. I'm not sure this is right whatsoever, but I don't want to speculate at all before I know from some experienced guys.
2) Transmission woes I need a random outside commentary on.
-Fourth gear has a soft rattling sound when I accelerate. Dunno what it's about, but it has not affected driving yet. It will also whine with a similar rattle as I shift into first.
-The clutch master cylinder and flywheel have been recently replaced, they're fresh and new. In spite of this, the clutch feels soft - it latches on and shifts firmly and with no problem, but there's weak resistance to the pedal. My last one felt firmer.
-Overall, none of these things affect the driveability of it, but...this is my new baby. If something needs done, I'd like to know how gently to treat her until I can get it done.
3) There's about two and a half inches of play in the steering wheel before steering gets affected. I know there's sometimes play, but my last RX felt way tighter in the wheel than this. Is there a way to tighten it up, or am I looking at a potential steering box replacement?
Thanks for reading. My name's Will, and I'm a new-blood first generation RX-7 addict. Please note, I'm also generally a mechanical idiot. My passion is intense, but I've never been a mechanic and it's going to be a long road before I become a worthy one for my car.
You'll get alot of help from RX-7 Chris.. He's like one of those guru's I know for 1st gens :P
