My new 1984 GSL-SE

[RX-7 Chris]

I picked up a 1984 RX-7 GSL-SE over the weekend for free. It is a very clean car. The interior need a real good cleaning but is perfect otherwise. The exterior has a good size dent in the left front fender, the front bumper is shot, and the clear is gone from the hood and roof. The motor doesn't run but it turns over and looks to be in great shape. I haven't spent much time diagnosing the car. My guess is the car isn't getting fuel. It could be the ECU though. The stereo even works great. It came with a new bosch alternator, new tires (put on 2 years ago right before the car was parked), it also has a new oil cooler line from mazda in the car. It came with the FSM, haynes, Chiltons, and the owners manual. The guy said he bought the car back in 2000 from the original owner for $4000. He said he drove the hell out of it and ended up replacing the motor at one point. He can't remember when he had it done or how many miles ago. He said the a/c compressor probably needs to be replaced.

[RX-7 Chris]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0972.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0971.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0970.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0969.jpg

[RX-7 Chris]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0975.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0974.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0973.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0976.jpg

[RX-7 Chris]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0977.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0978.jpg

[Directfreak]

Congrats!!

[RX-7 Chris]

Thanks.

Here is the Troubleshooting for no start out of the FSM:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/GSL-SETroubleshooting.jpg

I plan to start here but is there anything else I shoud look at?

I will do a compression test first.

What is a system checker 83 (49 G040 920)? Where do I get one? Is there a way to check for codes without it?

[rx4ur7]

System checker is Mazda's OBD reader of the time. I do not know if any of the new readers have the adaptor to fit that early a system.
Really do not know if you can pull the codes without it. Got mine from Mazda back then. Do not know if they are still available, Call Ray.
Not likely on an ECU, I have never had to replace one on a SA/FB. One, someone putting a stereo in the car and crossed a couple of wires.
First go through check all basics. Got compression? fuel? spark? clear exhaust? GCFSE?
-Check all grounds and condition of battery cables and main wires. - 1
-Check water temp sensor and connector, I have seen a few where the harness and insulation looks good but the wires were broken. Test for continuity to ecu. -3
-Down load FSM from one of the download sites.
-other possibles
-bad vacumn leak - 2
-vent switch solenoid pack
-BAV
-TPS
-MAS
BTW - Nice find looks like everything is there and original, it will make it a lot easier to diagnosis.

[speedjunkie]

That's my house lol. A little update since he hasn't gotten back on here...he got the car running, I believe about a week ago. He's now going through and cleaning it up and doing somewhat of a tuneup.

[RX-7 Chris]

Yup that is your house, lol. I've been driving the car all week. I have a few things I'm working out right now. Rust in the tank, vibration in the front end, and radio problems. I also have carbon stuck 6 port actuators.

I drained and washed out the tank but I'm still getting rust, I have to clean the filter every 35 miles.

I need to figure out the vibration. I had the tires balanced and an alignment done. I'm probably going to clean and repack the from barrings this weekend.

The radio is having a number of problems. I'm getting AM just fine but no FM. The cassette only works about half the time but only the right side has sound. The problem is in the radio not the antenna, joystick, equalizer, or amps. Everything worked just fine when I first got the car. My guess is I need to open it up the radio and clean everything out.

[RX-7 Chris]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0983.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_0984.jpg

[pedro a]

nice car bro

[RX-7 Chris]

Thanks.

I'm making progress on the car. The the radio is fixed and the vibration is getting better. I'm now thinking that what is left of the vibration is in the tires, I think they may have flat spots from sitting so long.

I need to have my oil cooler welded a second time to fix the oil leak. I also still need to work out the rust in the tank problem. I'm going to the salvage yard tomorrow to look at the gas tank of a car in there. I hope it is better than what I have, we shall see. I also still need to change out the front struts.

[RX-7 Chris]

If all goes as planed, the car should be back on the road this weekend. I have the oil cooler fixed and I just need to install it. The gas tank is at a radiator shop getting dipped right now. I needed to get a new pickup screen for the gas tank but it has been discontinued by mazda, I've been running a carb filter between the pickup and the pump. I guess I will have to continue doing that.

Things I still need to do:
-unstick 6 port actuators
-have injectors cleaned and pressure tested
-replace O2 sensor
-replace coolant line that goes under oil filter and coolant lines to intake
-finish replacing vacuum lines
-replace front struts (taking them off my 83)
-intalling SS brake lines from my 83 and flushing brake fluid
-replace air filter

[NoDOHC]

How do you get an awesome car like that for free? I always get old pieces of junk for free.

[RX-7 Chris]

How do you get an awesome car like that for free? I always get old pieces of junk for free.

It's a first time for me, lol. He contacted me at the beginning of the year asking for help to get it running again. We emailed back and forth. I asked him if he wanted me to drive up to his place (about an hour or so away) to help work on the car. I never heard from him again. A month ago I get an email asking if I wanted a car for $1. At first I thought is was a scam since I had forgotten about this guy. It turns out he was just sick of working on it and he said he would rather give it to me than send it to the crusher. I said I would take it even though I had no idea what kind of shape it was in. I figured I would just use it for parts, thinking if it is free than it is probably a piece of junk. I traded a few car parts to a friend for a truck and trailer to get the car back. We were planing to split the car parts from the car. When we got the car back, we just couldn't rip it apart. I'm very glad we didn't. I don't think I could live with it, haha. I'm put about $900 into it to make it a fairly good car and I have to put about another $300 in it to make it a really good car. Plus the $400 or so in car parts I gave the friend. All said and done the car will cost me about $1600 so it really wasn't a free car. That doesn't include stuff like a new paint job, any performance stuff, etc.

[lh6601]

"W '04" lol. I guess no one ever told the old owner its a crime to put bumper stickers on a sports car.

Nice find though!

[RX-7 Chris]

The car is back on the road with the oil leak fixed and gas tank dipped.
Updated Pics:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_10272.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_1014.jpg

[RX-7 Chris]

I got my gas tank worked out, fixed the oil leak, tightened the front barrings and replaced the o2 sensor.

Repairs I still need to do:
-unstick 6 port actuators
-have injectors cleaned and pressure tested
-replace intake gaskets because I have to pull the intake
-replace thermostat
-replace coolant line that goes under oil filter and coolant lines to intake
-finish replacing vacuum lines
-replace front struts (taking them off my 83)
-replace air filter

[hoang5659]

nice find! just wait till you fix your actuators, she'll really scream!

[RX-7 Chris]

I hope so, the car is very slow right now. It pulls good till it gets over 4 grand. But I guess I'm going from a large streetport 12A to this car. It's been 8+ years since my other car was bone stock.

[Spooln2]

This is bullshit. I paid 6 grand for mine which looks just like yours. Bullshit

Nice car though and you are lucky.

[RX-7 Chris]

I know where you're coming from because I had about 10k into my other car and it was spray painted flat black.

[speedjunkie]

This is bullshit. I paid 6 grand for mine which looks just like yours. Bullshit

Nice car though and you are lucky.

Doesn't it make you sick sometimes? LOL I wish I could fall into deals like Chris did with this.

What I find really funny is that you were originally going to part out this car, assuming it was in really bad shape since it was basically free lol.

[RX-7 Chris]

I know right. Now I'm parting the car I've had for 10 years and never planned to sell. That car is full of memories too. It was the car I took my first date with my wife in, and she still married me even seeing how bad the car looked at the time.

[speedjunkie]

Now THAT is love. LOL

[Garfinkles Motor Works]

Nice to get a fixable car to save .I have a 84 silver SE and I am putting a third gen TT motor in it .I have collected most everything to finish it .I will sell it at any stage because my gf has bought a sports car and does not need two .

[RX-7 Chris]

sound like a cool car

[speedjunkie]

Nice to get a fixable car to save .I have a 84 silver SE and I am putting a third gen TT motor in it .I have collected most everything to finish it .I will sell it at any stage because my gf has bought a sports car and does not need two .

Come on, who doesn't need TWO sports cars?! LOL Especially when one is an FB with a TT REW. That sounds like fun.

[orion84gsl]

Just an FYI, the 83 and earlier struts have different spindles. I believe they aren't as long. You'll be swapping to 12A car brakes and bolt pattern.

[Garfinkles Motor Works]

Well you are correct on having two sports cars .The thing is I have 94 fd that is modified and a SC 430 and the 84 first gen TT and she has a SLK 280 . Plus I still have the turbo 1400cc Kaw I built back when and a BMW K1 motorcycle . Plus a ton of Kaw parts including an LTD with turbo to sell .I am selling off what I can because I do not have time to do all I need to do and keep up with my customers .The first gen in this thread should be a great project because you can afford to put some money and time into it .I had my first ,first gen a 1980GSL for 12 years.

[RX-7 Chris]

My parts list is growing.

I still need to do the tranny mount and drive shaft. I'm going to hold off on the motor mounts.

I have a Racing Beat muffler to put on the car. It used to be mine and it has come back around to me. I also ordered most of the parts I need to finish the motor.

I still need to have the injectors cleaned. Rebuild the OMP (I already have the kit from pineapple racing). I need to order the Atkins Six Port Actuator Valve Kit, K&N air filter, and one coolant line to be able to finish all the critical things on the motor. In the coming months, I'd like to get NGK Power Cable ignition wires and Bönez Street Exhaust mid pipe to finish the motor.

[RX-7 Chris]

Thanks to TitaniumTT for moving the thread to the build section.

[RX-7 Chris]

I did some more cleaning under the hood:
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_1103.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_1104.jpg
http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm71/galexie64/1984%20Mazda%20RX-7%20GSL-SE/IMG_1105.jpg

[RX-7 Chris]

I have a bunch or parts ordered. I have everything I need to basically finish the motor ordered or will be ordered this week.

K&N filter, spark plug wires, battery hold down, coolant line, air control valve gasket, air control check valve, muffler gasket, thermostat gasket, A/C belt and fuel filter. I still need to send the injectors to witchhunter and order the Atkins Six Port Actuator Valve Kit.

I also picked up a ash tray over the weekend with a perfect finish on it. I have a brown sunroof crank on it's way as well.

[RX-7 Chris]

I've made a ton of progress on the car. I have everything posted on my blog: http://chrischillino.com/