rowdy82Rxer

Hello! I am brand-spankin' new to the forum and while I know the norm is to look around a bit and see how things are done, I'm just going ahead and posting as I'm in a crisis -

I have an 82 Rx7 that I love dearly and have dragged around forever (purchased her in 88). Still runs, just replaced the clutch this fall.

I really want to drive it this summer for a bit, but it needs some body work (rust, not invasive, but there and it lived on the Streets of San Francisco for 13 years, so it has some scars). I'd love to do it up right, but I'm on a budget and my main goal for this season is to just have it look a bit better.

Does anyone know anyone in Western Wisconsin or say within 2-3 hours of Rochester MN that does body work on these? What I need is someone who can do less than perfect, but still make it look OK. I think I also need an RX person as I've checked around my immediate area a bit and they think I'm nuts to even spend a $ on her and they have been pretty rude, to be honest.

I also need some little details like taillight cover, emblem, etc. I would also like to get the air conditioning up and running.

The interior needs work, but I don't care about that so much at this point. I don't plan on getting rid of the car, however illogical that is.

Thank you in advance.

fragtag

Try posting in your local area's section of the forum. They should be able to help you out more, and you may even find someone close to you who can help you work out all your problems. As for the AC, do you know what you need? Any local shop should be able to recharge it, but if you need a pump, one can probably be purchased from the Buying/Selling part of the forum. I'd sell mine, but I plan to move to Arizona next month, and I am considering getting it running too

Vashner

For the rust just read up on POR 15 and Hammerite. Otherwise you just need a pro body shop to cut and wield etc. AC? roll down the windows.

Any AC shop should be able to work on it. The AC system is nothing special.

rowdy82Rxer

Thank you for the replies!

GKW

Check into AC kits that convert your car to 134A freon. AutoZone has them.
Recharging an old freon system is way too expensive.
If your compressor is good, all you need to do is drain the old lubricant and put in one compatable with 134A and put in a dryer.
Do interent searches and you'll find good info.

780rx7

In regards to emblems and other small parts, check on e-bay. I have bought lots of little things for around 5 bucks plus postage. Search rx7 emblem for example.

yetterben

you in rochester i am in eau claire!

rowdy82Rxer

I'm actually in W. WI, about an hour from Rochester. One of my dilemna is that my friend has a really nice, loaded, RX-8 Shika? (I'm blanking on the name of it) that she will sell me, but I keep thinking I should put money into my 82 RX7 becuase I don't see me selling it.

Joker1337

Get the Rx-8, pull the turbo charged Renesis, the interior, and the electronics and swap it into the FB

POR-15 and Rustoleum work wonders on areas of the car that you're not horribly concerned with. You can buff Rustoleum, I know, to a decent shine if you work it enough. If you're good with a TIG, you might be able to get some of the less dire bodywork done yourself.

rowdy82Rxer

I know nothing about body work other than what I did to my 1972 Ford Pinto handed down to me in high school (putty, sandpaper, spray paint). While I didn't do a really crappy job, it was nothing I'd subject my RX-7 too :o)

Thanks for the replies by the way!