Can I squeeze any more power out of it?

[Rogue_Wulff]

I looked at rock auto, and the idler arm was redesigned between 80 and 84 for the trucks. Maybe they saw the problem and resolved it. Part of the design change was how it mounted to the frame, so the upgraded part won't fit the newer truck. Sorry, I was unaware of the later design change....
The RX7 does use the same idler arm as the earlier trucks, but not the 84 model.

 

[BlueChariot]

While got your attention, is there any other things like spark plugs and such that are better than the stock ones avalable that will fit the engine? Two other questions, whats the fuel tank capacity and how durable is the trans or what other trans might bolt to it that are more durable?

Oh, and about how much room (I'm assuming not much) is there behind the seat?

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

Spark plugs, just stick with good brands like NGK. No need to buy $50 each plugs, they really don't do that much good.
Fuel tank holds around 14-15 gal, IIRC.
Trans is fairly stout. Mine was a 4 speed, and I beat the snot out of it. Was also the simplest trans I ever rebuilt, due to a couple bearings going south. The 5 speed that was offered, is very similar to what is in my RX7. I've won 4 consecutive season titles in autocross with that car, and never had any issues with the trans. I promise, I don't take it easy either......
Behind the seat there's enough room to store an extra pack of smokes, and not much more. That was why I added the toolbox.....

 

[BlueChariot]

Sweet. The thing that irks me the most is I want to be able to do anything to the engine I can with a wrench set, and I want to do some basic porting and polishing but I don't know any of the torque steps for the engine parts which is important to know when putting things back on. At the very least I'm gonna clean the valve cover for appearances, which I've read (in general) just need to be hand tightened back on.

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

If I recall correctly, the valve cover is cast aluminum. Just watch out for the 1/2 moon rubbers at each end (I think, could be mis-remembering).
Here's one hot tip for ya though. DO NOT start the engine with the valve cover off. That dual roller timing chain slings a LOT of oil, everywhere, and in a hurry........
Go ahead, ask me how I know......

 

[BlueChariot]

I had already assumed to not start it without the cover on xD. So I wouldn't need to torque anything down putting it back on? Do you know the torque settings for the intake and exhaust manifolds?

How much of that engine is aluminum anyways? Also just thought I could run an electric fan (assuming it had a thermal clutch now) to free up some power, although alot of people say this just puts more strain on the alternator and balances out the affect of having an electric fan.

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

Head is aluminum, block is cast iron.
I bought my truck off my brother, who overheated it, warping the head. He had replaced the head gasket, but didn't get the head checked. About a month later, he showed up again, towbaring the truck home, saying "it died". I guess so, the oil was full of coolant, and #1 & #3 rod bearing had spun.
Turned the crank .010 and 2 new rods, new bearings (rod/main/cam) and new rings, plus sending the head to a machine shop, and I had a "like new" engine.
Remember I mentioned rebuilding the trans? The 25 mile towbar ride with the driveshaft still hooked up cooked a couple bearings in the trans. I had to rebuild that just a couple weeks after the engine. Put in a new clutch, just because I was already there.
Truck only had 50K on it, but had a rebuilt engine and trans. They survived 4 years of teenage driving habits, and around 125K additional miles, without any issues.

As a freind always said, those little trucks are like a sore peter. Can't beat it.

 

[BlueChariot]

You got any interior pics? I'm HOPING I can mod the bucket seats I have to maybe go in it, but I doubt they will. Do you know what the thread is on the shift knob?

I'm a bit sad I can't fit subwoofers anywhere in it for a little bass, but I could just get a bassshaker and a small amp to power it for a litte affect I suppose.

 

[Rogue_Wulff]

Sorry, that one pic is all I have left after "Hurricane Beth" (my ex-wife) and her destruction. I had lots of pics of that truck, and several other cool rides I owned, like the 63 impala 2dr sport coupe, but she managed to get all of them, and promptly destroyed them. I honestly don't know how that one survived. I just found it in a box of stuff I hadn't seen in years.
That pic, and my fading memory is all that's left. I can't even find the Ford workshop manual I used to have that covered this truck in detail, enough so that even a novice 18 year old could rebuild the engine and trans, with very little prior knowledge. If I could find that book, I'd offer to send it to you. I figure it was another casualty of the storm.
Trust me, there was very little info to be found anywhere else back then, on one of them "furrin' jobs" in the little hick town I lived in. Fortunately, dad worked at the local Ford dealer, and decided they didn't need 2 copies of that book, since I had the only courier in the area.....

 

[BlueChariot]

That's kind of you, but luckily my uncle (who is giving me the truck) has the original owners manual and a Haynes manual for the truck, which I was very glad to hear given that, like you said theres just no readily available info for these trucks.

It sucks what happened to all your pics. I'd treat someone doing that the same as I would someone who rips up pictures of a loved dead relative.

It's really a shame given that they deserved at least a little limelight.