Help!!! 1985 series 1 mark 3 restoration

jakeyd07 · May 08, 2011, 03:40:31 PM

yeah the nose cone is in mid prep. i think im just going to fill it and spray it

ill have a look out! my main worry is structural rust. so far i have flushed the radiator. scrubbed rust and primed body work. the only things that dont work on the car is the electric mirrors,viscous coupling and the small indicator light on the side of the car! and the fuel gauge. does anyone know how to repair a broken fuel gauge?

Ian65 · May 08, 2011, 04:21:19 PM

pull the plug off the sender unit where it plugs into the tank ( just behind the n/s/r wheel) and short the connector out. Turn the ignition on and see if the gauge goes to full. If it does, the sender is knackered and your best bet is to get a second hand sender from a scrap series 3. Don\'t bother trying to fix it, when they\'re broke, that\'s it really.
If the test doesn\'t activate the gauge, then it\'s a wiring or gauge fault.... more time consuming to solve.

Ian65 · May 08, 2011, 04:24:01 PM

check out this guide, it\'ll tell you where 1st gens tend to rust in the structural areas...

http://www.rx7fb.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=36

David Nock (RIP) · May 08, 2011, 09:14:50 PM

Hi Jake and many welcomes from me. I know Hexham, friends at Burnopfield.

I\'ll watch out for you when we\'re up there.

Thanks for all the information by the way. Hope the replies are helpful, Ian\'s rust guide above is spot on

Dave

jakeyd07 · May 08, 2011, 10:05:01 PM

thanks guys this is really really useful! iv never felt so welcome and thanks for the friendly words of advice

re japi · May 09, 2011, 04:23:13 AM

wow, interior looks like new

Steve-A · May 09, 2011, 10:25:39 AM

Quote from: jakeyd07;761130thanks guys this is really really useful! iv never felt so welcome and thanks for the friendly words of advice

As a 1st gen owner you\'re an endangered species and therefore need taking care of :rollin:rollin

CHC (RIP) · May 09, 2011, 03:12:15 PM

Welcome Jake - gr8 to see another new owner. You couldn\'t have chosen a better car and colour (waiting for the guys to hit me re their own colour preferences).
You need advise and/or technical information - you\'ll get it here for sure, the guys on this forum know these cars better than the agents.

See Ian\'s thread relating to what to look for as far as rusted areas - it\'s a must, also various threads re the viscous coupling replacement or removal & fitting of electric fan(s). The main issue is to get the body sorted and then everything else comes natural.
Enjoy the ride it\'s brilliant.

ps - loads of pics, we just love them.
:cheers
Cliff

CHC (RIP) · May 09, 2011, 03:14:02 PM

Quote from: A7RXY;760988I like the red stripe, and would like to put a stripe in my moulding, but being a red car I\'m not sure what colour to use, as I don\'t fancy silver, any comments.

Whats about a green\'un Dibs?

CHC (RIP) · May 09, 2011, 03:16:21 PM

Try this link Jake, it\'ll take you to workshop manuals - http://mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36413
:Thumbs-up
Cliff

jakeyd07 · May 09, 2011, 10:17:59 PM

Restoration is coming along well! I\'m busy filling holes on the front and other small areas! It\'s a hard job to do just getting it right! It seems flat enough and I\'ll stick some photos up

iv had a look at the rust guide and fortunately the Mazda is just a little rusty on the surface

gonna get A grey primer for the filled areas. it\'s getting closer to being MOT worthy

I\'ll keep you posted thanks again.

jakeyd07 · May 09, 2011, 10:40:45 PM

just a few pics of the filling process! alot smoother than it looks, honest

the parts i havent filled i will do, they are where the iconic mazda badge goes. im using resin with hardener to paste fiberglass strips behind the awkward bodywork so the filler has something to hold to.