get a fuse for a volkswagen diesel car, it is almost the same as an original. it's flat and will screw in place. Or get a mazda 323 or 2nd gen rx-7 fuse box and put it in.

 

If its like a FB, FC fuses will fit in the fusable links spots quite nicly.

 

I've jumped the wires temporarily 'til I can rig something up. It also turned out that it was the smog pump making that horrible squealing noise, so I've unhooked that beast for now. Might just take it off altogether.

on a positive note, I got her to run! Wasn't exactly super smooth and I only ran it for about a minute due to the excessive smoke, but she ran. I'm sure the carb needs some adjusting and the timing set, etc. Need to burn off all that ATF also. I've already smoked out the storage unit a couple times, heh.

Mike

 

We demand vid of smokie running

 

I completely got rid of that shitty *** fuse panel assy.....go to the junkyard and get a 1st gen box....you need to rewire, but it would probably be a better idea to make a new loom since it was sitting under a tree for so long. BUT....if you are desperate to get the old **** working...I MAY have one....gotta go dig.

 

yeah if you run across one, cool.. but don't go crazy trying to find it if it's buried. I'll probably just end up rigging some aftermarket fuse up.

Right now I'm going over to check out the brakes. I think the rears are locked up, because last night when I tried to drive it around the storage place the rear wheels wouldn't budge. Could be the fronts too I guess, I'm gonna go bleed everything and see how it does after that.

Mike

 

Awesome. I love it. Makes me happy/appreciative that my project was a runner when I got it, and I admire you for taking on such a basketcase. It sure will be cool when you get it going, though.

 

very compelling.. im jeallous its like my datsun roadster project but i never got her running.

 

thanks for the motivational comments, it's getting more & more frustrating as I fix things. I was just over there tinkering with it again. Fixed one of the heater hoses that was mangled up and leaked water whenever I filled the radiator. I also managed to get it to run a little better, but it was still a bit stumbly. While it was running, I noticed the alt. belt still was squealing.. so I look closer and the water pump pulley isn't even moving! I turn off the engine and loosen the alt. belt and the water pump pulley is jammed solid. So then I take off the pulley hoping that it's just stuck, but no the pump itself is rusted or jammed solid.

so them I'm thinking "crap, now I gotta change the water pump, thermostat, radiator hoses, etc." but before I start ripping all that off I decide to do a compression test. Which now that I think back a bit, I should have done right from the start.. but I really had to get it running for a little first in order to do a decent compression test.

bad news, is has no compression on 2 faces on rotor #1, so I'm pretty sure it's a bad apex seal. rotor #2 had 3 solid bounces to around 70 lbs., which isn't very good from what I can remember but I'm not exactly sure what those old 12As are supposed to be. So, it looks like it definitely needs a motor. I suppose I can move it really short distances, but with that jammed water pump it couldn't be very far.

So.. I'm tempted to do a later model 12A & 5 speed like my other RX-2 has, or swapping the 12A/tranny from that one into this one and doing a crazy 13B or something for the RX-2 coupe. Either way it's gonna be a pain in the ***, looks like it's gonna be awhile longer before it's a reliable runner.

Mike

 

if you would like i have the 12a out of my rx2 and all of the parts if you come up to get it its yours

 

12a turbo...whaT?

 

just the stock 12a

 

Thanks for the offer, blue. I may just take you up on that. An engine builder pal of mine suggested that the seal may just be stuck, so I'm going to try a few tricks to unstick it. If it works, great.. but if not it's definitely a bad seal. We'll see how it goes I guess.

 

That is an awesome find. I can't wait to see it restored.

 

Hey, why hasn't this been updated? heh

Well I've pretty much finalized that it's a bad seal, so now I'm considering alternatives. I haven't really done much with the car lately, sorry for the lack of updates. I may just toss a stock 12A in to get her going.

Mike

 

Sorry, I've kind of let this project fall behind with moving and starting a new job, etc. things have been a little hectic lately. I'm now somewhat settled and have started working on the RX-2 again.

Here's some recent pics of the beast at my new place. I just now took these after about 2 hrs. of power washing the roof to remove the old torn up vinyl top. Still need to do around the windshield mouldings, but most of it came off pretty well. The adhesive is another story, though. I'll have to try something more aggressive to remove that. Any ideas? I was using bug & tar remover to softening things up, but it wouldn't touch that adhesive.

I've also lined up a rebuilt old school 12A that will drop right in, so I'll probably be working on that within the next couple weeks unless by some miracle I get the original going, but I'm pretty sure it's toast.

Mike

 

looks good mang... nice OG paint too

 

Looking good. Keep us posted on the progress.

 

For the adhesive removal, it depends on how much you want to keep/protect the paint. To keep the paint, the, paint thinner, Goof Off, 3m adhesive remover and a terry cloth rag or 0000 steel wool, maybe even a green scotch brite for used dishes. The scotch brite may scuff the paint. For more agressive removal, laquer thinner and a scotch brite. The laquer thinner will soften the paint, the scotch brite will remove it

 

Yeah I want to try preserving the paint as much as possible so I'll probably try the 3M adhesive removal stuff or goo gone. Might try lightly wetsanding it but we'll see how those adhesive removers work first.

Also, I'm curious: does anyone know if that metal strip near the bottom of the C-pillar/rear window is easily removed or is it riveted/bolted to the car? I believe only cars with vinyl tops had these.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Hey Mike,

That old find reminds me of a couple Rx3's That I help leave in the woods of the N.W. Time to retrace my foot-steps in the Blue Mountains.... I left a green Rx3SP in those woods!!!! I only paid 50 bucks for it...drove it for a year.... High Speed Pursuit?? Maybe.... hard to remember.....gettin to old I guess...

It may have ended up in a wrecking yard.....Details are so foggy.....

did you see the blue sp on ebay last week?

 

Oh yea....

great find, I bet the Aussie crowd is crying.....(4dr)?????

 

try decon packs for the rats

 

that reminds me of the TR-7 i have. i found a 1970 Triump TR-7 for $50. it was in great condition except the motor was trash. im thinking about going 13B on it... <thosemSmilesx rule!

 

Yep I saw that blue SP, but it looked like the seller ended the auction early for some reason.. maybe they got an offer they couldn't refuse?

Anyhow, the rats are long gone.. now I just need to clean things up. I'm about 75% there. Just picked up a project FD a couple days ago though so I'm not sure when I'll have time to do the motor swap in the RX2. I have way too many projects going now.

Mike