jswisc

iTrader: (1)

I race an 83' ITA RX-7. I have a spare parts car that's an 81'. Race car has been very reliable and the spare car is in pretty nice shape and runs great so I've decided to license it. So what's the normal starting procedure with the choke? Do you always pull it out full or does it depend on the outside temp? Do you pump the carb to prime? I've searched and haven't found anything as a guide. Thanks.

rwatson5651

iTrader: (5)

According to the owners manual:

Cold:

1. Pull the choke out fully
2. Crank the engine.
3. after about 15 seconds push the choke in until the rpms drop to about 2000.
4. after about 2 minutes, push the choke in fully.

In extremely cold weather the choke can be used continuously to assist warm up but should not be used more than 10 minutes to avoid damage to the exhaust system.

If everythig is working correctly you shouldnt have to pump the gas pedal.

This from a '79 owners manual, the 81 should be similar.

jswisc

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. So no gas pedal. Temp doesn't matter then, summer vs colder temps, just pull choke out fully and crank away. My ITA car has a 7s only modified nikki w/ no choke and always starts with 1-2 pumps within a second or two. You have to blip the throttle a bit for 30 seconds but always starts right up. The 81' needs to crank 3-4 seconds and sometimes you have to do it twice. Compression is good and it doesn't smoke. Normal?

rwatson5651

iTrader: (5)

I would say fairly normal considering the age of these cars and the range of things that may not be quite right. A long list of worn or out of adjustment things can affect it. If everything is just so, it should start right up. Mine starts immediatly.

Try pausing just a moment with the key on before cranking to make sure the float bowls are full and then cranking and see if it makes a difference. Just a thought.

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Choke is only needed if cooler than 50 degrees, usually. Otherwise, make sure you allow the
bowls to fill as Robert suggested and then crank. If you use the choke make sure its off once
the engine has warmed up. Frequently that fails because the sensor in the back of the
water has a bad connection or goes bad.

jswisc

iTrader: (1)

Thanks all. Now that I've been using it for a few days it seems to be starting right up. Until now I've only started it once a month just to keep things lubed. I've never driven a normal first gen. Pretty neat car!

karle

I was told differently
Choke all the way out
Start it
Sit for about a minute (recommended for all cars)
Push choke in to ~2k idle in neutral/park
If you have an automatic choke it should suck itself in within a few minutes, so just let it suck itself in