The Ted Race Team: Because Racecar

How are you doing the alignment? I didn't have a laser setup. The only time I set up strings was after a crash when I replaced the rear axle and wanted to make sure the car was still square. From then on I just used toe plates and an inclinometer on the front wheels.
 
My plan is to do the alignment the old fashioned way - tape measure for the toe, and then I've got a tool I can attach to the wheels for camber/caster. For now I've got the camber like you had it, full negative adjustment, and I doubt there's any reason to change that. Caster I can adjust with the radius arm bushings, and I'll have to figure out where makes sense for that. I'll make sure the front/rear appears to be good, and I will check that since I've changed out the rear suspension bushings, but I think it should be fine.
 
Stating the obvious, but write down your settings as well as any changes you make during testing. Make measurements from the top of the strut to a reference point, and count the turns needed on the link for a given amount of toe change. There will be times at the track when you'll need to make a suspension change fast and you won't have time to set up any fixtures.
 
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Got back to the RX-7 today. The remaining 3 rear control arms are now fitted with new bushings and reinstalled. I haven't torqued anything down in the back yet since I wanted to get the suspension properly under weight before doing so, but that won't take long to do. I also replaced the driver's side inner and outer tie rod (both had broken boots, so I decided to replace them both).

The list is shrinking, and it's mostly details. The big things left are rebuilding the brake calipers and the carburetor. Minor things are a lower radiator hose, getting some new front wheel bearings to go into the brake rotors (this car has the bearings in the brake rotors for the front - which is not a great setup but has its advantages), new oil cooler hoses (and a new oil cooler, one is on the way), and then replacing fuel hoses near the tank in the back of the car and new brake pads.

I also need to get some new ducting hose for the brake cooling in front, as the old stuff was well aged and due for replacement. @Half Fast do you remember what you used for that?

I've got some optional items that are on my list, but nothing that I'm going to worry about at this point for just getting it driving and ready to race this season.
 
Reading this thread, I really miss my Legends cars.
 
Every once in a while I feel like going racing again. But if I take a couple of ibuprofen and lie down in a darkened room, the feeling goes away in an hour or two.
Used to run against a lot of the current Nascar drivers. Broke my wrist passing David Ragan once. So I get that feel every weekend. Fun times. Planes have scratched the itch and the checkbook for the time being.
 
I managed to spend a few hours in the shop yesterday and made progress on the RX-7. I put new wheel bearings into the new front rotors and got those on and adjusted, and also mounted the new oil cooler in place. The details are coming along... slowly, but well.
 
Got a bit of time in last night as well on the car. I got the front and rear suspension all torqued down with it at appropriate ride height with the exception of the radius arms which I'll need to adjust to get the caster correct. I also put in the new cooling air ducts to the front brakes. @Half Fast had two ducts in there and for now I've only put one in for the moment since it gets fairly crowded and I still need to work in that area for alignment etc.

This weekend I'll hope to get the carb rebuilt and/or the brake calipers rebuilt. Somewhere in there I have some more fuel hoses to replace, and at that point it'll be ready to drive (assuming I didn't screw anything up).
 
...for now I've only put one in for the moment...


If you only put in one, make it the one that goes to the center of the rotor hub. Be sure the air goes into the center, not the side of the rotor.

The second duct, that goes to the caliper cylinder, I found to be necessary at Sebring after boiling the brake fluid a couple of times. Sebring is absolutely brutal on brakes, having several high speed straights leading into low speed corners. If you're not running at a similar track you might get away without that one.
 
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If you only put in one, make it the one that goes to the center of the rotor hub. Be sure the air goes into the center, not the side of the rotor.

The second duct, that goes to the caliper cylinder, I found to be necessary at Sebring after boiling the brake fluid a couple of times. Sebring is absolutely brutal on brakes, having several high speed straights leading into low speed corners. If you're not running at a similar track you might get away without that one.

I'm still intending on the second brake cooling duct, just did the one for the moment as I'll be doing alignment before long. I suppose technically I could do alignment anytime I wanted to, so depending on what parts I have I might mess around with that.
 
9BE45175-FC48-4964-8D1F-8386BF414114.jpeg

Rebuilding the carb today, finally. Honestly it’s not as awful as I’d expected getting into it. At least, it wasn’t until this piece fell out and I have no idea where it goes. :mad:
 
I was looking through the manuals, and I think I figured out where it goes. I’ll check once the main body is done soaking.

As expected, the jets, metering rods, etc were all fairly dirty. However they’ve cleaned up well and the only perhaps questionably clogged portion is the accelerator pump jets. Since the car ran even with the carb as old and gummed up as it was (and the fact that you had it optimized when you were racing it) I’m pretty optimistic about it.

But it won’t run today even if I get it all the way back together, as I still have o do the oil cooler hoses.
 
Hard to see the scale but possibly a weight that is used on the check valve for the accelerator pump.

I've seen them as two pieces(a weight plus a ball bearing) or one(weight with a tapered end)
 
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Hard to see the scale but possibly a weight that is used on the check valve for the accelerator pump.

I've seen them as two pieces(a weight plus a ball bearing) or one(weight with a tapered end)

I’m in the process of putting the carb back together and so I tried putting it where that would be. That looks like it might’ve been it and would make sense. Thanks!
 
Given its shape, there likely was a small ball under it that actually made the seal.

You probably got new ones with your kit.

Typically they come with one ball (steel) that you put in place and tap to form a seat in the carb body.

Then there is a different ball(with a small weight on top) that actually is used as the seal.
 
BTW - don’t forget that while the car is a 1983 (sorta), the carb and intake manifold come from a 1979.
 
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Yes, there was a new ball as well, and that also makes sense and fits in.
 
Today ended up being a really good day of working on the RX-7. The carb rebuild that I'd been putting off and rather dreading really ended up not being too bad. Everything came apart pretty easily. Once I got it apart, there was, as would be expected, evidence of it having been gummed up:

AMSf6AFTGaGR19-3mYioQ9_RXpiuTJii2abJ0s9Rv0BIUKvd0ynEM3LDD19RzFgkkBV8aiNZx4PnyUHnkRjW5jeSIMZoB3sKLbGPcEQpJrnBY7qNgfoF_OIGPJ4jwuzzJd3k5LdzytWrrJlT64OteR_yFj3b3PPEGe2W8CB-AdDNP1m_02nfAzl7gQ5k8lbtEnOFwqvj6MpiVV9c7x5hZooX2P-S26Hv0y2rIjatX3CDPLpnRi5-x7IZU-sCtqLlVnJKhm3LixaclfrGFXQaDB5czEvSBBgjGdULBOHLjup3--TOrSPhSRI_cIdPSZJf8r8sPUC50Z1SqgrHZrs1XjA9p4l1AUkXIObvinGktIiy-oSxx-BYjcuSTcLMjyKAJDZiKa9ZLaZJ4Uh_k49Tia66k5EPMJYL5gAVDhMcK6_k47RZiGAPY3eNe6nnjnGxmTb39b3ftjPJditDHwV2Rc0Zw1FNkL-zG-BjiNip6TsV09jd9L1UNcn-4H72FqIIbCorV-W_YtRI-Cn2Df1dRUJCizn6GYehIzgmbGyACwUOT-S62jWDjqxJEjWriuo6fZEQrzka2N0cmwaiXcPrfdr-bMMT20lXnibjZCOSmodXbDnlfkLmI_6pY-ma02f3oilRGDM0bRt7S4M76kUsaIYaAWNiBw6efjgWtBujH0ZLFj4qU5tsonjHrJEZiWv8qxfaKIMbonvKYEAv4tsCZtNehOs8g3_tdpw_tiIKlZ8DHnhIctdymaWh2gkrEhICuf8KNKju7wK6RmyTtPlNdmSpsM3hCyqA51ID8jLiP5XAhkLHJDF4x9V2kdxbgP72xxnds1BCQ_gDViPhjqeAVSwIfcLvDkYe3Gd5rOR8wWiOLx2t98Ks00M_LGGjovJMUw0crLjYSregI_cHOXFG0Kf-bqmnLjXwnD7xf3jpm1LBOLs_m-ieOGHB2JnUynNbQymi3ibT=w1008-h756


Note the float bowls have a lot of junk in the bottom, and the main jets (which are in the bottom of the bowls) were pretty nasty as well. However remember that the engine actually still ran, somewhat surprisingly, but fuel only seemed to be coming from 3 out of the 4 barrels.

When I removed the jets and metering rods, it wasn't surprising to see that the metering rods were various degrees of clogged, in some cases very clogged or gummed up. That said, everything cleaned up really well after soaking in the Berryman's carb dip. I made sure to put all the needles and jets back in the same locations, and other than the question about that one brass part that was for the accelerator pump, nothing was surprising.

All cleaned up, and back on the car:

AMSf6AGe1xHzmbUAlozlSp8FNw3AIFGQLLypp0QHa2ijzJPe18KaGYfaQnFVN7eyegwkQnENa-sOWlxOn93Fq8uRKg5ydRMQvlIftUgTqdnaWZrorYmJ4DGLG9qLceLvZpH4dThL9p_CG-uz-9FKj6GThstWibBQWWWAUxApfNPKKyJv1_fQ-5_lYdvFJN_jkIkiGjzYI_Fk0dPMpAGlzzaSYaj5mDj3mIUU1ry5iXvKkFvkWWqwFbSuBi4mbAHmaTnnvHLkq9NwAoCbVl8DwPStfoTH4KlmU-9pPVLkqLc48u15sH0V7nBc04KiOntyNDKpkc8EessIYRjboQbHRq70-4AUS27LIWbSecSPZgcoyx5-bKAYcwTYvbNJeyaH1p45JXGeQgtJBPBz52W_z2yMIzKiZ6DLW7u-ei-T2_xHOW7F0VCPjyonkcFN6tYRPJ_OCK0NbCNpkjf5N92gcwFJ9DtNuhFCIEjl41ZnT8uDbVmymRUhMFbSFRfGxubcnDPDuKEznMjUv7QtgiGvUUGZI0ubpDHDGIKvbrAuCvDSOgSkseHr25r-Lo570eaTXBVfqFK0fnfWqsohS8OCfpxZBx_TR5ZiI0cO2PWSYrmB5BxP1_CEFZ-sIO27m8thhnPxLPn62LSL8fBTqyHfRFM8_FaaUfI6z0A306_ZftnZD1ZoRNgAm8batPf91pw9P3SnsbNA7brpfFSC2U__tPIK6jWKfWs1HkXdSRKaKy7C-Xzlpi0LIrqjPVPpSJV68p2KVP7StRelm6aNrOvI8sBZr_OZ3xoztBgFKDFm9QLHxWAe4gji63Y1SOqLxj-MT1SSM9BcJ4-R30n0ngOQqRrwzs1MPgcFcqX5d8JdoEDFVxRrH327JAdfFkmrN2xrEb3xxheqReiAJOzqj3EtReT0a2CB2k_m5bBlj9CfXpf1Ry-nZ2jsGHoDJdjdqAtIYQ10CwqM=w1008-h756


I did do one bit of simplification/modification, since the rules of Lemons allow it. @Half Fast had to run the secondaries as vacuum secondaries in the class he was running. I'm allowed to modify the carb however I want in Lemons, and so I removed the vacuum secondary diaphragm (and made sure the hole was appropriately plugged) and wired the secondaries so that they're now mechanical. I can always put it back to vacuum if I want, but theoretically this should help full throttle horsepower. Beyond that, I didn't want to mess with the carb as it was tuned properly. Assuming I put this back together correctly, it should run well. We'll find out when I start it.

Another thing Lemons allows me to do is relocate the battery. The factory position for it is a fairly standard (but very poor for weight distribution/handling) on the driver's side in the very front under the hood. It's about as far forward and to the corner as you could get, not ideal for something that weighs that much. I'm going to relocate it to the passenger side area, behind where the passenger seat would be if there was one. That keeps it low, about in the center of the car's mass, etc.

The brake calipers, those are going to be more of a challenge. I got all 4 of them off of the car. I couldn't get the pistons out of any of them with compressed air as recommended by others. they were known to be seized up, but these may be a challenge. Normally I'd just buy rebuilt ones (and would've done that a long time ago), but nobody stocks these. And there's not a particularly straightforward replacement. I'll keep looking at it and working on it, but I know one way or another that's a problem that'll be addressed.
 
For the calipers, fab up a grease zerk to brake fitting adapter and force them out that way.
 
For the calipers, fab up a grease zerk to brake fitting adapter and force them out that way.

That's a good thought. I think some sort of hydraulic pressure is going to be what's ultimately needed to force the things out.
 
Hey, Ted - any updates?

A few days ago I realized I had too many projects. Faced with which one to purge, I pulled the RX-7 out, doused it with gasoline, and set it on fire.

As it burned, I thought “This probably wasn’t a good decision, and Ed won’t be happy.to hear this.”

Then I woke up.

(the above was an actual dream I had the other night. It was just a dream and only a dream. No RX-7s, especially this one, were harmed in the making of this dream. All psychology majors in here will surely figure out what this means about me, but should know that no, I don’t want fries with my double quarter pounder with cheese)

So back in the land of the awake… :)

Since rebuilding the carb I haven’t done much. I’ve had to focus on the RV with the kids getting out of school and some trips coming. My list is small, see my JIRA project backlog:

917E6C65-4A39-4E45-BD59-E61AD5478871.png

The calipers have been the big holdup. I’ve been trying to loosen them up, but they’re seized pretty well. I’ve been spraying PB Blaster on them (and in a them) every time I walk past them, so I’m hoping I can get the pistons out next time I try. But my intent is to redo the fuel hoses in back with the new filter, put the new oil hoses on, get the battery in and wired, and then the brakes will be the last thing.

Really not much. I had hoped to get it to a race by now but with my wife’s new job, that wouldn’t have happened anyway. I’m hoping to drive it next month, and I think that’s an attainable goal - assuming I can get the calipers apart and rebuilt.
 
they’re seized pretty well. I’ve been spraying PB Blaster on them (and in a them) every time I walk past them
Time and chemistry rather than physics and/or thermodynamics? What have you done with the real Ted? :)
 
Can you buy replacement calipers?

That was my first thought when I brought the car home. My searches proved unsuccessful at the time - none of the normal auto parts stores carry them, even as a special order. Even MazdaTrix doesn't list them, surprisingly. And so I figured I'd rebuild them and go from there. However, given how seized these are, I'll probably look further and see if I can find some rebuilt ones. It looks like eBay may have some options.

Time and chemistry rather than physics and/or thermodynamics? What have you done with the real Ted? :)

I'm old and multitasking. :)
 
If you haven’t tried some RX7 forums and racing forums, you might give that a go. Get to know a few people racing in the same organization, too. Building your network will be important to building the car.

Much like flying, racing people tend to be very helpful and resourceful.
 
I'll add in the other option, which is replacing the calipers with something else and making adapter kits. Given how these things aren't available anymore, it seems a reasonable option. But my goal right now is to just get it driving and racing with as few customizations as possible.

It looks like eBay has some front options, but nothing on the rear. I'll do some more checking...
 
If you haven’t tried some RX7 forums and racing forums, you might give that a go. Get to know a few people racing in the same organization, too. Building your network will be important to building the car.

Much like flying, racing people tend to be very helpful and resourceful.

I've done a poor job of seeking out any sort of RX-7 forums or racing forums, and I probably should do so. Like you said, a network is important. I'll do some more digging on that as well.
 
I haven't, I've actually never been much of a junkyard diver. I may have found some front calipers...
 
There, front calipers found and bought. Now to keep looking for rears...
 
I haven't read the whole thread but what are you racing in (series wise)? I hadn't been to a track in a while and took my GT3 to one a couple weeks ago... Slippery slope, thinking about a GT3 Cup car now...
 
Any luck with rear calipers?

We left for an RV trip a day or two after that post and just got home this evening. Front calipers were waiting when I got back, but I didn't spend much time on the internet while on our trip. :)

I haven't read the whole thread but what are you racing in (series wise)? I hadn't been to a track in a while and took my GT3 to one a couple weeks ago... Slippery slope, thinking about a GT3 Cup car now...

This will be in the Lemons series (www.24hoursoflemons.com). And yes, a slipper slope. :)
 
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