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Saved Mazda 323

DoctorRetro

By DoctorRetro
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DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

Posted
Posted

As you may have read in the 'Can we save this?' thread, the answer was 'Yes we can!'

Someone on this forum who wishes to remain nameless, fronted the cash to rescue this little Mazda from certain doom at the hands of a banger racer. I've taken custody of the car, but will make sure they get their money back as soon as is physically possible.

Perhaps once it's running right, I'll look at some sort of roffle to find it a new home and pay back what it owes me and them.

 

Although it had been sitting 5 years or so, it went through an MOT, so that's a good start.

 

Known faults.

- Alternator is kaput. Shouldn't be too hard to find a refurbished one. Presume battery knackered too.

- Wheel bearing grumbling. 

- Running like crap. Will replace fuel and vacuum pipes and add fuel filter. Then perhaps a carb strip down and rebuild. Aisan 980 carb as far as i know, same as the Toyota was,

- Flat tyre. 

 

It's currently sitting outside with a flat battery and no fuel, so that's not a good start! :D

 

 

As I have very little talent, time or money, and suggestions / help greatly appreciated.

 

These are the pictures I have so far - looks good but it's a lot more dull in real life...

 

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nigel bickle Rank: Renault 16

nigel bickle

Posted
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We’re  going thru something similar with this

E9F501DC-81A2-4385-B37B-02C866CCA0D0.thumb.jpeg.67a0f290546105bf846d58636a53dde0.jpeg

A Sao Penza - basically the same car. Laid up since the 90’s, it’s still running like poo, although it’s gently easing back to life.

straight after its MOT it shat it’s cam belt, but it is non interference, so other than a nuisance- no harm done.

despite a full tank flush, it still needs new fuel squirting into the carb for a cold start, and it’s power is quite low. I’m guessing varnish etc, which will clear with proper use. 

Good luck with yours, be interested to hear.

nigel bickle Rank: Renault 16

nigel bickle

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Yes, they’re coming off soon, as I’m unlikely ever to find a replacement “ Sao” wheeltrim!  Too rare to risk!

 

loserone Rank: Matra Rancho towing a Tagora

loserone

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Nigel, just in case there was any doubt, you are a complete and absolute winner.  That's awesome.

 

323saving also awesome, Doc, just not quite on the same scale as resurrection of a defunct badging exercise.

  • egg and Burnside
  • Like 2
nigel bickle Rank: Renault 16

nigel bickle

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Not down to me really, but a young aficionado who hunted it down - then decdied he didn’t want it! Too much work

Anyway, it’s roadworthy now, and I might tax it when next back home.

 

Heres the badges... as found:-

 

A1A5CE8D-B922-435E-9107-1DAC10CD2659.thumb.jpeg.cb3c48ef26a88145d13b9d08c9cc4b19.jpeg0FB46DDE-0BB5-4FDB-B437-CBBE55D4386B.thumb.jpeg.d8d3f1e8898775f8128a1e0965d62af3.jpeg

Mrs6C Rank: Lancia Gamma

Mrs6C

Posted
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I'd be tempted to change its fluids, plugs and belts as well, before any real driving commences. Five years of standing around and an unknown service history don't bode well for everything being fit for use!

Top job on rescuing it! :-)

  • DoctorRetro, Dick Cheeseburger, Burnside and 1 other
  • Like 4
Crispian_J_Hotson Rank: Renault 16

Crispian_J_Hotson

Posted
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Get a crook lock on that now. Well saved.

mrbenn Rank: Renault 16

mrbenn

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The spirit of Autoshite is strong in here.

Very well saved! Looking forward to seeing how you get on.

Zelandeth Rank: Talbot Matra Rancho

Zelandeth

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If she's been sitting for ages, you might find the alternator brushes have just stuck in their carriers.  Worth giving it a smack with a hammer to see if they can be shocked free.  Nothing to lose if it's otherwise knackered...

  • DoctorRetro and LightBulbFun
  • Like 2
brownnova Rank: Isuzu Florian

brownnova

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This thread is likely to be hijacked by the Penza!! 

Is there a separate Penza thread? Have I missed it? That car is truly the holy grail of Autoshite! 

The doctor, well saved. I’m in for a few random tickets when the inevitable happens. 

DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

Posted
  • Author
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15 minutes ago, brownnova said:

This thread is likely to be hijacked by the Penza!! 

Is there a separate Penza thread? Have I missed it? That car is truly the holy grail of Autoshite! 

The doctor, well saved. I’m in for a few random tickets when the inevitable happens. 

I know, it appears it has been overshadowed by the Penza.

 

I'll hold you to that roffle commitment, although the price of tickets is dependent on what I have to spend on it...

  • somewhatfoolish
  • Like 1
nigel bickle Rank: Renault 16

nigel bickle

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Sorry. I’ll but the Penza out. Your thread

 

 

  • DoctorRetro
  • Like 1
brownnova Rank: Isuzu Florian

brownnova

Posted
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3 minutes ago, nigel bickle said:

Sorry. I’ll but the Penza out. Your thread

 

 

But please do butt back in with a Penza thread.... 

Pleeeese mister! I’d love to hear Penza updates! 

  • timolloyd, NorthernMonkey and Burnside
  • Like 3
brownnova Rank: Isuzu Florian

brownnova

Posted
Posted
14 minutes ago, TheDoctor said:

I'll hold you to that roffle commitment, although the price of tickets is dependent on what I have to spend on it...

Happy to be held to it ?

DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

Posted
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Posted
7 minutes ago, nigel bickle said:

Sorry. I’ll but the Penza out. Your thread

 

 

It's cool, glad to see it surviving. :)

  • LightBulbFun
  • Like 1
NorthernMonkey Rank: Renault 16

NorthernMonkey

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, brownnova said:

But please do butt back in with a Penza thread.... 

Pleeeese mister! I’d love to hear Penza updates! 

Here here....it’s one of those cars that I’d totally forgot ever existed 

Datsuncog Rank: Talbot Matra Rancho

Datsuncog

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Yeesh, bit of a rollercoaster ride with this one, TheDoctor! That was a close one - glad to see your persistence was rewarded.

Here's hoping the recommissioning process is fairly painless; looks like you've a few pointers anyway to get it running properly again.

I understand Mazdas of this era are nice enough little things to live with, so with a little luck a sympathetic home can be found for this one. Just weird that they still generate zero interest and rock-bottom prices, still.

 

  • LightBulbFun and Burnside
  • Like 2
DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

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  • Author
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Brought some fresh fuel back with me, and positioned the Rover ready for jump starting duties. 

IMG_20190610_165957.thumb.jpg.ab7eca8b2791fd9a835dc15672cf03ab.jpg

Once there was some juice flowing, it fired right up. 

Runs like a bag of crap, but more like a misfire than fuel related. Pulling the leads off one by one found a culprit, as pulling off cylinder 3 lead made no difference - except the electric shock I got off it. When I dropped it, it was arcing out of the side of the lead and I found a split. 

It sat there idling roughly for a while, until I disconnected the Rover, and it died. 

Engine looks very oily, suspect rocker gasket. 

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Left the car looking sorry for itself with its flat tyre,but spare is both flat and bald. 

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Will upload a video of it running soon, if it worked. 

TrabbieRonnie Rank: BL Wedge

TrabbieRonnie

Posted
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Death Row-ver... Still capable of delivering life to a less fortunate vehicle!  Awesome work Doc, with saving it and giving it a chance, big well done from me.

  • Dick Cheeseburger, LightBulbFun, BlankFrank and 1 other
  • Like 4
DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

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There you go. Clumsy footage and it sounds way worse on video than it does in real life

 

 

DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

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Forgot to add, this has central locking and electric windows - the luxury! 

TrabbieRonnie Rank: BL Wedge

TrabbieRonnie

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I have a Trabant... the Mazda sounds pretty good!  I'm sure a set of leads will make a big difference though.

  • LightBulbFun
  • Like 1
AnthonyG Rank: Lancia Gamma

AnthonyG

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If the running issue is fixed by a new set of leads that’s a major win all round.

Good to see it saved - is the body as rust free as it looks? Current Mazda could learn some lessons about rust-proofing from 1988 Mazda if it is!! 

  • LightBulbFun
  • Like 1
DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

Posted
  • Author
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47 minutes ago, AnthonyG said:

If the running issue is fixed by a new set of leads that’s a major win all round.

Good to see it saved - is the body as rust free as it looks? Current Mazda could learn some lessons about rust-proofing from 1988 Mazda if it is!! 

Rust free? Let me elaborate with pictures. It was raining, sorry, so I was in a rush. 

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DoctorRetro Rank: Lancia Gamma

DoctorRetro

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  • Author
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Took some interior pics while hiding from the rain... 

Mmm. Grey... 

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Love this little switch

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Electric tilt/slide sunroof!? 

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4 electric windows?! 

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Pretty low miles. 

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MOT was a squeeze.. 

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Dick Cheeseburger Rank: Talbot Tagora

Dick Cheeseburger

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I'd definitely be up for a roffle ticket. So glad you helped it escape the fork lift prongs. 

dave j Rank: BL Wedge

dave j

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I wonder if electrical tape on the lead would help? Could be worth a shot as it won't cost anything... if you have already got tape! 

  • LightBulbFun
  • Like 1

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