Part 15: Repairing The Transmission Tunnel - My 76 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo Restoration

[Popz1992]

Dude ur a genius

Uve inspired me to work harder in life With ur own meticulous work ethic

[FinnsterW]

Will this car just be restored or more of a rustomod? +1 for minny vice locks :D

[FinnsterW]

Will this car just be restored or more of a rustomod? +1 for minny vice locks :D

[JMG8686]

@aaroncake i just want to thank you 4 your help, i find out the engine is s/4 thanks!!!

[JMG8686]

@aaroncake sorry my engine don't have all those misc parts ""just Carter and timing cover"" is any way i can tell if is s4 or s5!!! Don't have manifolds,fuel injectors,intakes,and the oil metering pump is not in the timing cover!! so don't know if is electric or mechanic

[aaroncake]

@JMG8686 At this point it would be hard to tell unless you could recognize the differences. For example, the S5 rear iron has a much thicker dowel casting around the oil filter. The front iron also has a larger front cover o-ring boss, but you will also find those on S4. I can't think of anymore external differences. Oh, look through the exhaust ports. If the bowels of the rotors are machined, it is likely S5. S4 are rough cast.

[tsherwoodrzero]

@JMG8686 What Aaron Cake is referring to is the Front Cover. Given how parts are easily swapped on a rotary engine, there are only a few ways to determine what you have. First clue would be the OMP opening on the front cover. S4 has 2 bolts, S5 has 3. This tells you what the front cover is. Also look at the flywheel's block side. You'll find the ECU number stamped on it (318 for S4T2, 370 for S5T2). For more info, check out Mazdatrix's FAQs

[JMG8686]

@aaroncake i got my turbo II swap ready!!! thanks 4 your help!!! but now I have a new Qs? i got a block only how can I tell if is s4 or s5?

[aaroncake]

@JMG8686 S5 has an electronic metering oil pump, S4 is mechanical with a rod to the throttle body. The S4 turbo has two actuators, the S5 has one. Those are about the only most obvious external differences. Oh, also the casting around the upper rear dowel on the S5 is much thicker than S4. S5 engines also have high impedance injectors with round connectors as opposed to the S4 square connectors.

[cbkidder]

I'm really impressed with how thorough you are.

[rotorrollaz]

hey man im absolutly loving what your doing to this rx5 cosmo.... and i cannot wait till it is all finished,:D

but may i ask... HOW LONG UNTILL PART 16 ! haha its been quite a while.

[aaroncake]

@rotorrollaz Part 16 was posted Sunday (Jun. 19th) morning.

[aaroncake]

@atmrussia I'm working on it right now and about 30% done. It's just been a busy time with multiple projects I must attend to. I'm hoping to spend several hours on it tomorrow night to finish off the episode so I can have it posted this week, but can't promise 100%. It's been a while, I know...

[jefa1234]

Waiting again for another part? Oh no! :D

16!! 16!! :P

[aaroncake]

@jefa1234 It might be a little while before part 16 because not only has real life kept me pretty busy, but I'm doing some fairly tedious work to the car which has taken some time but just really isn't interesting.

[xboxershawn]

8:10 You should get an auto tinting one

[aaroncake]

@xboxershawn I have one but it doesn't really allow me to see the panel gap very well so it's hard to keep the two panels level. The "off" shade is still pretty dark when working with limited light.

[tsherwoodrzero]

@aaroncake Have you considered getting some cheap welding goggles instead? Harbor Freight has a pair with #10 dark flip-up lenses for about $6. Also, since you insist on making each video awesome, perhaps the next one should be focused on the A/C Retrofit? Maybe center it on what's needed to replace the old compressor hoses? That'd make for an interesting video

[aaroncake]

@tsherwoodrzero It will be a little while before I can do A/C related stuff because I need to deal with sheet metal in the engine bay area first. You'll see in the next video. But AC/heater box placement will need to be done soon as the firewall will need to be cut and drilled for hoses. I'll also look into some goggles since I'll be at Princess Auto (Canadian Harbor Freight) sometime this week.

[yerboogieman]

Don't tell me you used blue loc-tite on your compressor. I can see it on the bolts in the writeup. hahaha

[aaroncake]

@yerboogieman That blue really does show up on camera well, doesn't it? Coolant is another thing that absolutely pops on "film".

[octratek772]

Man you are the reason I am dying to get a project car. Very informative and enjoyable to watch!

[muchogoocho]

surprised you dont have your own spray tips, and dude your attention to detail is almost scary i can't wait to see this fully built! i hope your suspension choice will make this thing look badass

[aaroncake]

@muchogoocho Until now I had no idea that aftermarket spray can tips were available. I'll have to look into that. As I pulled the front subframe a few days ago (did I just give away the next video?) I have been thinking about the suspension. Some fab work will be necessary as expected but I think it will be fairly straightforward to install air struts. Though Mazda's strut-spindle combination is a bit weird. Maybe I'll make new lower control arms?

[muchogoocho]

surprised you dont have your own can tips

[yerboogieman]

Are you going to add the compressor and the differential stuff to your site? Project Tina is gathering dust.

[aaroncake]

@yerboogieman Yep. I'm working on the compressor writeup right now, and having just finished the diff swap and got Tina back on the road (as of Saturday) I'll update that as soon as I can. It seems that my time with all my projects is rather limited...

[Qwertyplum69er]

awesome cant wait for the next part.

[sjaakiepot]

gloves for welding is not an option if u ask me, way better without gloves. ur videos are getting better and better lol, lovin it. cant wait for part 16

[jefa1234]

15!!!! :P

[ducatiracing]

seizure extravaganza at 24 mins, great video always excited for when a new one comes out

[aaroncake]

@ducatiracing Next time I'll invert the colours and superimpose unicorns.

[Russell042]

keep it up

[mdobilas]

linday lohan'ed.... ROTFLMAO

Really happy to see a new episode, i look forward to these like a kid at xmas.

[fc3chris]

ass-symetrical?? LOL

[octaneping]

"That's embarrassing! Glad no-one's gonna see that!" LOL ...I've really enjoyed watching the progress so far. Good filming, great monologues, great editing. But you're definitely no OSHA man ;) No gloves, no goggles, no respirator. Reminds me of how I work, hehe. As long as nobody gets hurt, film on! And I swear, the quotes get funnier with every new video. Thanks for sharing!

[aaroncake]

@octaneping I think my level of safety is acceptable for the environment I work in. :-) I'm all about using the proper equipment (I freak out when someone uses brake cleaner to clean stuff to be TIG welded) but sometimes safety equipment just gets in the way (like when tacking) and thus can be...sort of less safe due to the frustration factor. I should have worn a respirator when painting under the car though...yuck.

[dmurrayyy]

"im using my safety squint" omg! hilarious.

[cower16]

what kind of tranny did you get it with, 4 speed? do you plan to reuse it, or get something better that will hold up to the 300 hp you are going to put in it?

[aaroncake]

@cower16 The transmission is the good old bulletproof R type 5 speed (the precursor to the type used in the TII RX-7) so it should handle the power. It's in quite good shape, considering. I likely won't have to even rebuild it...just clean it up and reinstall with new seals.

[RX7Nytrate]

Aaron - Excellent Videos. I love watching all of these. You do an excellent job. I love the Stupid puns and dry sence of humor! Keep up the great work man!

[HEKTIC458]

Geez theres a huge amount of hours going into this thing, im sure itll all show up in the end. Keep up the great work

[TalkinShitOnYouTubb]

Personally, i would of taken the dash out first......

[aaroncake]

@TalkinShitOnYouTubb I left it in because I just didn't want to deal with it hanging around the shop. However I think it's about to come out, since I would like the access to the inner fenders (found some rust). Plus, I'll need to pull it out when fitting the A/C stuff (probably Vintage Air). And I need to modify the inner fender to create a little pocket for the ECU, relay panel, etc.

[TalkinShitOnYouTubb]

@aaroncake Ahh OK, fair enough. Be interesting to see how much cancer is living behind the dash. Some Mazdas are really bad there, others are fine. Hope its not too bad!

[aaroncake]

@TalkinShitOnYouTubb From what I've seen there are two small holes where the dash meets the a-pillar underneath the cowl. I can't see them from outside (the fenders are now off) so they must be on the inner panel only. Looks like an easy patch and I'll be modifying the area anyway to make an ECU pocket.

[TalkinShitOnYouTubb]

doing a good job dude, keep it up.

[hkrice]

Aaron, you are too cool. I wish I was half as skillful and knowledgeable as you are!

[aaroncake]

@hkrice Well, the video makes me look better than I actually am with the sheet metal work. I'm getting better though, so by the time I tackle the aesthetic stuff the quality of work should have improved. I enjoy the mechanical and electrical stuff above all else so it will be quite nice when I'm done the sheet metal.

[hkrice]

@aaroncake I didn't make my observation just base on this one video. Before I purchased my first rx7 2 years ago, I came across your personal website. Then I became a member on the rx7 forum and noticed you are one of the most knowledgeable person and always very helpful I must add. Anyway, thanks for everything and looking forward to more videos! :)

[aaroncake]

@hkrice Thank you! Glad you are enjoying both the website and the videos. I've neglected my website a little over the past few months because I've been working on the Cosmo, but I have found some time lately to work a little on the website as well so an update will come at some point soon.

[mazdarx7head]

Lol @lohan

[mazdarx7head]

This is a great series. Pls keep it going. Don't wait so long next time in between vids.

[aaroncake]

@mazdarx7head Remember, I need to do the actual work and then edit the video, plus I have a full time job and a fair amount of other responsibility in life. :-) March and April were quite busy for me so I didn't get a lot of time to work on the car or edit video. One thing I did was blast, prep and paint a new rear drivetrain for my RX-7. This afternoon I should be putting in the fluids and it will be back on the road for the season. Now all that is over with, I can get back on the Cosmo.

[mazdarx7head]

Epic intro

[RX7GSLSEowner]

Favorite Aaron-isms from this episode: "Hey they do it on TV so it must be right." and "a little bit Lindsey Lohan ... that is over-penetrated." Classic.

[aaroncake]

@RX7GSLSEowner Are you suggesting that some of the stuff they show on TV car shows might not be correct? I'm shocked.

[RX7GSLSEowner]

@aaroncake Hmmmm...can't tell if you're being serious or not, but whichever. For the record, I was giving a compliment regarding your commentary because I found it amusing, as in "funny-haha". Ergo I laughed so I made a comment as if to say "good one!" Perhaps a ROTFLOL or LOL would have helped clarify my meaning. And if you are making another joke back, then haha again. Being anal though, I needed to ensure that my original meaning was clear. Yikes.

[aaroncake]

@RX7GSLSEowner I be not serious. :-)

[rival323]

right on lookslike a tutorial!!

[GoneBadKiwi]

Yay been waiting ages for another video!!

[GuitarArX]

@GoneBadKiwi same here, and bam! 30minutes of pure awesomeness

[GuitarArX]

hi