1979 Rx7 SA | Maintenance and Upgrades
This car is one that we have cared for for years. The owner of this car has had it in the family since it was new.
Purchased here in Denver in 1979, this car was driven every year and still is today.
The beauty of these cars is that they are old school analog drivers. Today's cars are better in many ways, however they do not have the feel and level of involvement, one must pay attention while driving this car. The rewards are wonderful. If I have to explain it any deeper you wouldn't understand.It is time for some carb maintenance and to check the rest of the fuel system. It had a minor cold starting issue with the choke and some fuel leaking when parked. This is where the details matter. We replaced the hoses and went over the carb and found a cracked gasket.
Next on this car is one item that cannot be replicated, the exhaust system has outlived it useful life. Back in the 70's Mazda's unique thermal reactor exhaust manifold helped the rotary clean up its emissions, with a heavy cast iron manifold with air being pumped into it and around it the inner walls have started to collapse.
This is noted by the exhaust system backfiring on deceleration and additional exhaust coming out of the secondary air pipe (that runs along the exhaust out the rear).
The replacement: We will be adding in a Racing beat exhaust system, pulling the transmission (as it is a lot easier with the exhaust out of the way), replacing the rear main seal and cleaning up residual oil / dirt underneath. For now, the car is heading back home to be enjoyed when the weather warms up a bit.
For a car of this vintage, the motor runs very well, starts hot / cold, this is a car that will continue to put smiles on the owners face. The beauty of cars like this is all in the driving of them. Yes, it has small tires, no power steering, little brakes, however you can toss this around, feel the lean in the turns, and run it up through the gears hitting redline and smile the whole way.
Enjoy the holiday season, happy motoring.
Topics: 12A, carb rebuild, SA Rx7