Popular Post dabuzz Posted April 23, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 23, 2020 Got the booster rebuilt, bought all new brake and clutch components, made up new hard-lines and had them plated, new reservoirs etc. Not pictured, basically all components have been sourced new for the bay, all that's really left to do is modify lower radiator hose 1 heater hose, and make up a wiring loom. Found an original rx2 radiator and had it re-cored and up-rated to 3 core system, have 2x electric thermo fans instead of the clutch type fan for extra cooling 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted April 23, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 23, 2020 This would probably be my favourite part of the build, the plan was always to look mostly original, so when opening the bonnet i didn't want a shiny K&N filter sitting on the Weber IDA The solution was to modify an original air-cleaner to suit, it sits at exactly the same position as it would with a 4 barrel, so now when opening the bonnet at first glance you would think its unmodified. 76 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted April 27, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 27, 2020 Onto the motor itself now. Engine plates were bridge-ported by a mate, and then I had them skimmed flat. after that I sent them off to be Nitrided (hardened) as the twin dizzy plates are notoriously soft and can wear prematurely with newer style springs and seals fitted. Part of the Nitriding process involves high heat cycling, which makes the frost plugs and bungs loose so afterwards I had to replace the frost plugs, and drill and tap in new oil gallery bungs to avoid leaking at a later stage. after that the plates need to be lapped in to remove any of the roughness left to the surface after treatment, pic of baby monitor shows males are actually capable of multi tasking after all . Housings were notched to suit the bridge, and honed by hand for a new flat surface. The factory 3 hole exhaust outlets were also opened out to make one big hole for more flow. Rotors are 12a 6 port single dizzy type, these are the lightest high compression factory rotors available, i didn't want to fully lighten the assembly, as its a street cruiser not a race car, and will aid in drivability around town. The complete rotating assembly rotors, shaft. counterweights clutch and flywheel have been fully balanced to suit Flywheel has bee custom made at 12 pounds with offset ring gear to suit the twin dizzy's unique starter position, and I am using a sprung puck clutch and heavy duty pressure plate for clamping duties. 27 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted April 29, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 29, 2020 Motor assembly. All went together nicely, A couple of mods needed, I fitted a late 12a rx7 oil pump which is a higher volume unit than the twin dizzy one, the body heights are different so I had to have a custom spacer made to push the oil pump chain cog in line with the pump itself, and them machine down the cog so that the dizzy drive stayed in the same position. I also discovered that I had an oddball E-shaft in it after it was already assembled, annoying as I had a normal one on the shelf too. Turned out to be an auto shaft that was used in a few of them. The difference was the rear end of the shaft where the spigot bearing goes is a lot shallower and a different diameter to normal, this meant I had to shorten the gearbox input shaft, and instead of running a roller spigot bearing, I got a custom bronze bush made to suit, a bit of messing about, but it all worked out in the end. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted April 29, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 29, 2020 So to recap - here are the specs- Mazda 12a Twin dizzy bridgeported, and exhaust ported. Plates skimmed and Nitrided Rx7 6 port rotors, with 3mm carbon apex seals Cross drilled E-shaft for more oil flow Fully balanced rotating assembly High volume 12a rx7 oil pump, and FD Rx7 110psi oil regulator. All new bearings (incl torrington) seals springs gaskets, - everything possible. 48mm IDA Weber carburetor Electronic ignition conversion Modified front stack to accept oil pump and also machined later model twin pulley hub so can run twin belts 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted April 29, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 29, 2020 And here she is in all her glory! 54 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabuzz Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 Ok, so now I'm (mostly) over the mess the last panel guy carried out, i have been setting some plans in motion to start the next stage make some $ and get panels repaired properly. So as its part of the story, ill now share pics - the pics Tbh, dont really show how bad it all is, the rear 1/4 is very buckled, and the wheel arch flare, i cant even comprehend. You can sort of see in the first pic, where the rust was, at the very top of the flare, and at both lower corners. panel beater suggested, that there would be more rust between the inner and outer skins, and that a whole new section should be made, and installed, that way the inner can be treated properly, this all made sense, and i agreed. panel guy - lets call him Noddy had a new arch section made off a sample i gave him, when I gave him the sample I expressly said make new section a mirror image as sample was for RHS. this is where it turned to shit...... Noddy forgot to tell fabricator, and made as per sample, not mirrored, so profile was different. I said lets remake the correct profile, Noddy said, nah mate, ill make it work....... 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabuzz Posted June 16, 2020 Author Share Posted June 16, 2020 The sills are not straight, one of the sills had a small crease it it, so instead of pulling out the crease, and making a new rear section to suit, he made the new section with a crease it it to match - wtf 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted June 16, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 16, 2020 Tried to find a new 1/4, found a NOS one, but by the time it got to me it was nearly $5k! - pass. otherwise options are very limited for these coupes now Have ended up taking the 1/4 off this half cut a mate had stashed (ill weld my shitty one back on the half cut), once removed it had plenty of Mexican repairs, it wasn't great, but still better than what I had, Choppers Auto Body says hes far happier repairing this so its currently at the dippers awaiting a full strip. 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted July 17, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 17, 2020 Choppers halfway through fab on the 1/4, shaping up nicely tho. Also scored a rare asf NOS front guard! *pics out of order 22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted August 11, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 11, 2020 Dropped off the old money pit to choppers, instructions to build exhaust and get through repair cert, maybe skim her up if $ allow ready for paint 19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted August 13, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2020 Exhaust nearly finished, twin 2 inch, into 2.5 resonator, over diff into AES/PAC boiler. Brief was I had to retain factory heat shields, top job! 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted August 21, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 21, 2020 Some big jobs are underway, sills have been repaired. rear 1/4 removed and the fabricated replacement is taking shape. Also another shit attempt by the last panel beater uncovered and had to be rectified on the A pillar/cowl area. Smaller jobs include, Fuel tank has had the dents pulled out. I discovered that while I was looking through my dash parts, (as that will be one of the first areas i will be starting to assemble), I found the heater core was blown out, and leaking. Have had a new core made, and had to locate a NOS heater tap, which I have luckily found but cant be sent to me just yet - lockdown woes. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted September 1, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted September 1, 2020 More goodness underway! 21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted December 3, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 3, 2020 Tiny update, but one nevertheless Painted up my $250 rx2 steering wheel, it was sun faded and cracked, filled the cracks with resin. Colour not quite the same as original, but I dont care, beats paying $2k like others do, painted the gear knob to match, and got a repro shift pattern badge to suit. 31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted February 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted February 4, 2021 Traded into a set of proper coupe seats, when you hear the term rocking horse shit- this is them. The seats I had were coupe pattern, but had sedan style black(instead of chrome) recliners, which don't include the foot and hand release for rear passengers. They were also ripped and needed repairs, so to score these was a massive bonus. They have been retrimmed by someone who obviously has glaucoma, and not quite the right pattern, but it means I can bolt them in, ill look tidy and will pass any test as long as you aren't a train spotter. Have also bought repro door trim as mine was worn after nearly 50 years, also bought the backing boards to suit, they dont have the carpet at the bottom like factory, I could pay someone to fit that, but meh, got bigger things to spend my money on, will document retrimming them later. Lastly, dash top is away getting restored to original spec, as had a a few cracks in it. 23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted May 23, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted May 23, 2021 Bit more done on the 1/4 fabrication, getting a lot closer now, also some filling work as well on a door and guard. 28 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted June 4, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 4, 2021 Mock up- inching closer 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted June 30, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 30, 2021 Steel work pretty much finished! Chopper has done a killer job on it, no filler in it yet, looking pretty straight in epoxy, repair certifier has had a look and is happy too! 21 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dabuzz Posted June 30, 2021 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 30, 2021 . 32 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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