It seemed like a good idea at the time...

[qwakers]

I always had issues with the way I ran the vacuum lines to the wastegate. One day a month or so back the solution popped into my head rather than heatwrap them and cable tie them along the engine crossmember, why not run hardlines inside it. Much better. And cost me nothing to do.

Hardlines run and identified

And lines at both ends connected.

Dead easy.

[qwakers]

nearly there. 1 coolant nipple to weld in and the exhaust to modify and fit, but after that it will be fill with coolant and oil and start....

[qwakers]

nipple welded on. (be nice, im not that good at ac tig)

and in my defence it looked quite good after i initally welded it up, but on pressure testing i found a pinhole,(which is also a improvement as i usually get loads) and in trying to chase it out it snowballed.

cooling system finally sealed.

and the other half of the vband tacked (and fully welded- not pictured) in

[qwakers]

and its back together

gave it a celebratory wash.

started up first time..... right after i remembered it wont start with the map sensor disconnected.

built oil pressure immediately, no coolant leaks, idles better than it ever has (no surprises there) and everything works even the heater. which is very nice, clears the windscreen very well. even the ac will work once its recharged.

the heater only works consistently when its completely up to temp. this is because the electric water pump is in 'pulse' mode until it hits 80*. this is fine, i can live with it, i could fix it by fitting a heater bypass pump, i have one to use. problem with that is it takes up room, it has a weight penalty, and id have to figure out how i would want to wire it, probably to a switch on the dash. that being true, i probably won't bother.

i am very pleased at the end result, just a few small jobs to do and then it can go back into storage for next year.

[qwakers]

oh, and the rx7 alternator that badly overcharges has been skipped in favour of a mx5 alternator. cos half the price. very little difference between them, the bolt goes through from the back instead of the front and the connectors are in a slightly different place, but those are easily overcome and it now charges at 14v not 16...

[warpc0il]

the other job i finished this afternoon (and i say finished because the prep for this with a blast cabinet and a wire wheel took 6+hours over 3 days last week) was to bright zinc plate and yellow passivate all the old bolts from the engine ancillaries etc and a load of new ones too.

20251102_164626.jpg
20251102_171239.jpg

this is only about 1/3 of the bolts and nuts...
20251102_164636.jpg

that's better than rusty

Just saw this and wondered how big your plating tank is...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326849125588

[qwakers]

might fit. 10l bucket.

you do the prep work, ill plate it