www.RX7fb.com

I got mates rates and he did it in between other jobs but it still came out at about £250 which was double cheap as both sides were done and the quality of the work was A1

Sadly I can't drive the car anywhere, that would be extra cost for car transport to take it to a workshop. www.rustandrepairs.co.uk claim to be specialist classic car restorers, so I'll see what he thinks..

a bit of what's involved...

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1470

holly rusted metal batman, that was bad. i'm sure your fuel economy went up with all that excess 'metal' removed ian
fair do's to starting into it. i know of an fb with rust around those areas, but how bad i dunno.

how did you shape the metal for the floor etc, wooden blocks and a mallet?

So whilst I think about what I'm going to do with the rust, I figured I would have another stab at getting the engine running. I gave the starter a bit of a tickle and now it at least tries to crank the engine, although maybe only once in 5 attempts. mostly it just makes a whirring sound which I'm guessing is the starter. When it does try to actually crank it just splutters. I tried to put some new fuel in as I thought maybe it could just be empty (gauge right down) but even with some fuel in the gauge still didn't move and I had the same problem. Maybe it needs new plugs? Any other thoughts?

Cheers!

Gauges often pack up. Check terminals on the tank sender as a 1st step.

The starter is possibly dirty and clogged on the drive. Remove, rinse the drive in petrol (careful with petrol of course), dry it off and lubricate with a graphite pencil before refitting.

Fuel might need refreshing if it's stale. Fuel filter at the tank.....change as a routine service item.
Plugs?.....what are they like? are they worn down on the triple electrode tips? They cannot be gapped, replace if eroded.

the starter problem sounds like the starter pinion is seized or the solenoid is seized/knackered...... either way, it's easier just to get a good second hand starter of someone and fit that.
make sure your battery is charged then take the lid off the blue air filter housing and pour just a bit of clean neat unleaded fuel down the throat of the carb then try to start the car. If it fires and revs up momentarily then you have a spark and you starting issue is probably due to stale fuel or a fuel system blocked with old fuel that's turned to jelly. Is your fuel pump running when you turn the ignition on? You should be able to hear it under the car just ahead of the passenger side rear wheel.

How long's it been sat?

Fuel system has most likely had it. Tank as well maybe.

Don't try running it till you sort that out otherwise you'll be doing the carb next too.

Hasn't been started in just under 3 years if the guy I bought it from is to be believed.

Should I hear the fuel pump as soon as the key is turned or when turning to start?

What I don't quite get about the starter is that it seems to work every few attempts, so my main problem must be elsewhere in regards to just getting the engine running?

I will try some of your other suggestions

as soon as you turn the ignition on ( when all your red lights come on across the dash), the pump should start running.