Part 54: Better HVAC Bracket and Improved Balls - My 76 Mazda RX-5 Cosmo Restoration
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- Опубликовано: 4 янв 2023
- Time to tackle two more aspects of my previous work I am unhappy with. In part 54, I'm re-fabricating the bracket used to adapt the Vintage Air Compac Gen 2 HVAC unit (parts 29-31) and fixing an issue with the front camber I created when I used Mazda 626 ball joints to allow use of FC RX-7 spindles (parts 39 - 40). Years of looking at my poorly designed HVAC brackets weighed heavy on my conscience and I knew I could do better. So too with the front suspension; I had come to the conclusion that there wasn't enough adjustability to allow proper alignment. This episode, I correct both these mistakes to end up with results I find truly satisfying.
Patreon: / aaroncake
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I was in college 12 years ago when I stumbled upon this build. Ive been watching ever since.... wtf is happening to my life. I feel like I have gotten about as far along as this car. Not nothing, but a long way from where I should be. Love you tho Aaron. Never stop.
Relatable. Cheers mate
That's the story of building something in the real world. Lack of time, interruptions. It's just part of life even though it massively sucks. I'd like to be working on this thing every day as I did in the past.
That's what she said
Agreed! Been.... 9ish years, watching you as i put my boy when he was a baby to sleep i think the first one i watched was the air to water intercooler that you redid and if i remember was in a different location? Im slmost positive you moved.
same way for me in 2013~ and a failed marriage. also been working in my truck/k1500 80's sense about 2005 and charger in 2012ish and now nether runs anymore sadly 😢as both got stolen 2016-2020 but recovered back in bit's/parts and some bits are still missing to make both running/daily and in 2022 my income wasn't great/poor-man so neither sofar have gotten close to finally finished or running again, but i was at one one dailying them so kindly a step ahead of this 76 mazda but i still needed body/interior work/frame-off restoration so maybe not further along
love rotary engines and or weird stuff but cool stuff
heads up jay leno or somewhere else one youtube i learned that there's a place in California/company that can 100 point restore your dashboard/pad/interior bits and this 76 looks to be suffering like my k1500 84-87 pad/interior bits is now, using oem methods and or better than new
Aaron you have no idea how happy we are seeing your videos in our notifications.
Keep at it man we love your attention to detail!
Always love seeing your uploads. Can’t wait to see this legendary project once it’s finished.
That's what he said.
I will definitely handover to my grandkids to continue watching this project till its completion:)
Good news...Good news! My yearly dose of Aaron Cake
Well, at least a few times a year, right?
@@aaroncake I guess lol
My Daughter was born the year of your first Cosmo video (she's in high school now) I wonder if you will finish it before she graduates? Anyway...keep up the great work!
nice episode filled with holes balls studs and slots!
All is well with the world when Aaron uploads
i've just realized, that i've been watching you and watched you worked on this thing for literally 13 years, one day i'll see this thing get done hahah. i'm doing a e36 restoration(kinda). hopefully one day you can come to brazil to see it in person and maybe one day i'll be able to come to canada to see thing brap! Cheers my friend!
Is it bad that I had the theme song pop up in my head as soon as I saw the notification?
Been following for about 10-12 years this build mate. Still here and I’ll be patient to see it completed!
Been a long project, but I love every episode. Aaron, if you check out MCM’s Turbos and Temples 3, they go to Mazda, and in the museum there’s a restored Cosmo.
I bet 10 years from now, I'll be chain-watching this series as motivation/inspiration for whatever I end up building.
Man I thought project Binky was gonna take longer than this cool project
Next time I watch an update from you I'll have a nearly 1yr old child 😄 this is part of my new year routine bud, thankyou for not disappointing 😉 all the best 🇬🇧
more uploads than project binky keep up the hard work !
Been watching this for years. Loved all of it so far. Sadly I'm now 71 and can't be sure I'll ever see it completed :(
Let's hope that's not true for both of our sakes. I would like to have this thing done before I'm 50.
You're good with tools, heard women likes a man that know how to use his tools!
Ha, I wish!
IDK how I missed this newest video! Keep up the great work Aaron.
the AC bracket look much better now! great video as always
I'm much happier with it and all of the slop the old one had is gone. But, it was a lot of work and probably why I didn't build it the first time.
Great to see you still at it!
Keep it up!
That's what she said!
Another year, another episode! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos for your community. It is always good to see an update.
Nothing like opening the new year with some Automotive aaroncake.
Cuando el amigo aaroncake termine su proyecto de restauración de el cosmos serán ilegales en las calles los autos con motores de combustión interna ...no te rindas👍
New Aaron cake in 2023!!!!!!! Maybe we're not doomed as a species after all
I would hope we're not doomed yet. At least until I finish the Cosmo and have been able to drive it for a while. Then it can be an apocalypse (again...)
Fine relateable content,no flashy workshop/tools no bullocks just craftsmanship and info Aaron style.
Thank you! And that's the point. No fluff, no click bait, just building this project in the real world with all that involves.
Yes! I was literally just thinking about you. Figured you were editing and filming. 👏
This one would have actually been out sooner however I was just so swamped with other things, the last bit of work took way too long then the editing took even longer. I finally got time over the holidays to spend a day and finish the editing.
Back with the KING of all brackets!
Great to hear from you again buddy! 😁
Christmas comes later this year, better than never! 🥳
Omg you caught it.. life will never be the same again... 😯
It might be the first time ever.
from the start of this series, i have been through 7 cars 4 relationships got married bought a house had a kid and have one more on the way lol i still check in periodically to see if theres an update lol
Life soldiers on.
first notification I got after part 51! so glad to see it keep going, I was thinking about it yesterday
RUclips notification have been broken for about 5 years now. They are trying to force people to use the app so email notifications of subscribed content were discontinued. I only get about 20% of comment notifications via email where in the past every comment would send an email.
Aaron, I low-key envy you. whatever life you lived to gain the skills you have in combination w/the love for rotary or at least this project is a true gym and I appreciate. Its to me above the hooe diamond. 😅 But for real.... thank you for your time and personality. stay blessed... regardless
Well, thank you!
You ever wonder if one day you will start a video with 'Welcome to part 400 of my Mazda Cosmo restoration"? Because that is what my projects feel like...
Haha, maybe. But wouldn't it be awesome if I ended at 100? Or 69? It feels like my house could be a 400 part project thought.
I wonder how many more years I'll be watching this build XD
nice to see another chapter in the series aaron , greetings from chiang mai where im celibrating a holliday all the best wishes for the new year
never change man , never change .
"Which of course, She said".. I lol everytime I hear you say this =)
This video needs a double thumbs up!
Always a pleasure to watch your videos. Just have to tell a funny story, I was selling my RX-4 to a guy who never worked on a wankel car before. After a couple of days of mailing back and forward he decided to by my car. So to give him some hot tips how to tinker with the RX-4, I gave him a link to your youtube project, the day after he mailed me that the deal was off... Unfortunately your project scared the hell out of him 🙂
Haha, awesome! Well, I'd hope that yours was in better condition than what I started with! But you know, if he didn't realize that mine was sort of a self-created project, then maybe the RX-4 wasn't the right car for him.
Been waiting and waiting and finaly it's christmas and birhday at the same time i really like this Chanel
It’s like Christmas when we get an upload from you. Love the vids
Was thinking of you a few days ago.
Nice to see a new episode 🙂
Always enjoy the mix of metric and imperial
Nice! Happy new year. Its always good to see your videos, I hope you could go further with this joy as soon.
It's always a good day when one of your videos drops. Like many, I've been watching for years. Your vids are always thoroughly enjoyable and your work is, of course, amazing. That's what she said..!
Another great video!👏
You already know this but some viewers may not. At 46:40 "this things in the way, whatever it is", it was the old steering stop, which probably wouldn't work anyway due to the new FC RX-7 spindles. (and the pending Air Suspension.👍) You'll just fabricobble something better.
I figured it was the old spindle stop as the OEM recirculating ball box didn't have a hard stop until it hit end of travel. I do intend to fully box the control arms at some point. Also now need to figure out new stabilizer bar end link mounts...then again the stabilizer bar may go away with the air suspension.
@@aaroncake The air springs will have no effect on body roll. You will still need the front stabilizer bar, so I would make provisions for the links on the control arms now while it’s easier. You may even want a rear bar too, depending on how “spirited” your driving will be.
@@GrayRaceCat The car has a rear sway bar stock so I'm all set there. Have seen air systems that automatically compensate for body roll but I suspect you are right that I will want a real stabilizer bar.
@@aaroncake Since it has a rear bar you will definitely want a front bar to keep the suspension balanced front to rear, and the rear tires planted.
I would expect that an air system that can compensate for body roll would be quite “spendy”!
Good to see you back mate.
Holy shit-
Just when I've given up on you, think you're dead or in prison-
you post a video. Well Merry New Year, Aaron! Glad you're doing alright.
Much, much better. Also, i had an inkling that you'd redo the HVAC brackets. They did not meet the Aaron standards.
"Happy New Year Aaron" - It's been a while! Always good to see you back again ;-) I hope you had a good Christmas cake too
Cosmo makes me feel!
Great to see you back again and dang that was one heck of a project to add those supports to the HAVC system and the front suspension.
@19:29 I literally said "Wow!". I've been waiting for that moment for almost a decade.
Probably the most important part of the build I have ever filmed.
Finally, it's cake day! 😃
magnificent job, I am following you from Egypt, I own an RX5 and I hope to see this masterpiece when it is finished.
Wow, some of them made it to Egypt? Do you know how many?
@@aaroncake I don't know, but I think they are few, and the majority of them are 121. Even the rx5's rotary engines have been changed to Mazda Vc and MA engines because rotary engines are not known here and they have no spare parts.
That's too bad. I shipped a rotary engine stand adapter to Egypt a year ago so nice to know there are at least a few.
Thanks so much for keeping the videos coming. Please continue to post more in the series.
Amazingly crafted bracket for the Vintage Air unit and excellent modification of the conroll arm. Good to see you back bringing us this video and wish we would see more of you. Best to you in the new year.
Thank you! Next video will be new stuff. I'm currently researching and gathering air suspension parts. Going to start with the rear as replacing springs with bags is fairly easy.
"Flang slot, three times fast'
Looks good, however I would be too paranoid the ball joint would move out of adjustment. I would have used a heim joint theaded into the lower control arm with a lock nut. That would give me piece of mind when I hit a speed bump too hard.
I forgot to mention this in the video however once the alignment is set, I intend to mill out some spacers which will sit in the slots to lock the bolts in position.
New Year, New Cake 😊
Start of project - it will be cool to see a 35 year old car driving again
End of project - it will be cool to see a 50 year old car driving again
Always a good day when aaroncake uploads.
Waow this guy is back at it!!!
Awesome!
Hell yeah I've been waiting since yesterday
Yay! A Cake day!
Happy New Year!!!
I'm so happy to see you post another video!!!!
You are a legend in my book.
Keep it up man, hopefully you have more time this year to post more frequently as we all look forward to your videos!!!
Nice to see another episode, can't believe it took me a watch to get it watched though.
Very well done on the AC bracket! 👏
Can't wait to see the next one.
Been watching for years, so excited for a new video!!
A-man... I love that you continue to work on this project and post the updates up on YT. One of the secrets of life.. “It's the journey, not the destination that is a true thing of beauty and a joy that will last forever".
My favorite notification!
A tip, wear a wired clip on mic. Sometimes it's a bit harder to understand when you're further from the camera. Keep grinding! (pun intended)
Another great video
Fantastic stuff.
Awesome progress, man!
saw this coming on patreon, super pumped, hell yea
You didn't watch it early?
@@aaroncake i just got back from a work trip, love all your vids brother, thanks for keeping them going
awesome content!!!looking forward to the next
Wonderful way to start the year, thank you for keeping these going
Another great vid aaron
Thank you Aaron!
Awesome fab work, Aaron! She's turning out nice! Really looking forward to the next one...
You’re doing a great job! 😃
Thank you sir for the next episode. I really enjoy your content 😀
Improving for life hehe.
Amazing as usual .....At least...that's what she said.😁
Huh, I wish.
Great video...like always :D
I like your humor man XD
Greetings from Germany
See you next year
Yes!!! Thankyou!!!
Great Vid und nice work - as always!! I'm grateful to be able to watch your work!
Keep going man!!
Best wishes from Germany! ;)

Honestly surprised Aaron didn't completely remake the hvac box to fit his standards and the little Mazda. However, his bracket is amazing. :)
Dear god no...Even though that's what they did in Binky. I just wish the thing had mounting points in sane locations.
@@aaroncake You are the best. Thank your filming and dedication of your awesome project. When it is time for your Cosmo to hit the road maybe we ought to have a meetup. Better book a local stadium for your fans.
Around 1980 I discovered a derelict RX-2 in someone's back yard that had *Diesel Kiki factory A/C.* I had never seen *factory* A/C in an RX-2 before! I paid him $200 and salvaged every single A/C component out of it as my 1973 RX-2 Coupe had no A/C at all. It was a great-looking fully-integrated unit with an entirely bespoke dash-center-console that the normal RX-2 completely lacked. It didn't put out the volume of air that an aftermarket under-dash unit in another RX-2 I had did, but it sure looked nice.
That's cool! I actually found A/C parts on the Cosmo during the cleanout, so it may have had A/C at one point or perhaps the previous owner was considering adding it when they started their "restoration".
Hey Aaron, only thing I can see that the balljoint issue is if you don’t have it bang on perfect, the caster might be off causing the car pulling to one side
Should contact Josiah at fdf in Trenton Ontario, they make angle kits and stuff for anything, he could definitely build you a lca that would be 100% caster camber adjustable
I made the decision not to go fully custom with the control arms. The idea is to build adjustability into all parts of the suspension so there is some hope in aligning this thing when done. There is some movement available to "swing" the ball joint back and forth. Plus, the strut tops are eccentric allowing adjustment by rotation. Truthfully my main concern is bump steer based on the tie rod location. Will have to see...
Let’s here the motor run bruhhhhh
Keep at it dude! You got people from all over the world cheering you on.
My rotary miata build is finally starting to see the light after over five years in the making. It's really really hard to convince yourself to keep pushing sometimes. Can't imagine what 12 years are like. But seeing how dedicated you are still, I'm sure you'll make it eventually!
So exited about the air suspension I really hope next episode won’t take too long
I'm going to start measuring to gather parts this weekend. Rear will be easy. Plumbing and all the other stuff starts to get complicated.
@@aaroncake I would really like to see a q&a some day to learn more about you your hobbies and interests or future projects feels like I know you I’ve been following you for 12 years
I did one in part 21.5 (I think) which now that I look back on it, was an hour of boring. Maybe boring for me because I was just listening to myself speak. I have actually been considering doing that again as sort of a project update in a more concise format.
@@aaroncake that would be awesome thank you
明けましておめでとう御座います。今年も動画楽しみにしてます♫
Love seeing your videos come up. What about making or finding a set of tubular control arms? I'd almost trust those more than modifying a set of stamped ones, and you can make em take whatever parts you want, and put them wherever you want. And then you can make clearances and run high angle ball joints or heim joints for the air suspension setup so nothing fouls up.
I did put some thought and consideration into making a set of arms from scratch. Ultimately decided not to considering the jigging needed. These ones will eventually get boxed so they should be plenty strong.
"Probably enough clamps to keep this from warping".... pre-heat, my dude!
uiii .. i didnt expect that .. nice :)
He's baaaaaack!!! nice to sooo you back aaroncake! also those a/c units do some work... cold as frig. But yeah the brackets do need work .. maybe add stiffening to the plastic case with modular tabs ( not ears) to mount the actual mounts that you have to fab up. but still one of the few issues i have with those units. the other would be the fixed vent sizes and locations. note: being that the LBJ is the load carrying susp component, i would rethink it thru. maybe see if camber plates can be fitted or slot the upper bolt to strut and use and eccentric bolt there. or fab up heim rod ends and turnbuckles to mk your own adj LCA. just my 2 cents. the eccentric bolt mod would be the easiest i feel without messing with the dynamics of the susp travel.
Glad to hear the feedback about the unit. I'm not a big A/C user but still wanted it to work as well as a modern car. I'm planning to have as much of the suspension adjustable as possible because it is all a fairly mismatched set of components and the air ride is going to make that even worse. Forgot to mention in the video that I will be boxing the lower control arms so the flanges I made will be blended into the bottom plate for even more strength. Likely way stiffer/stronger than the factory ever thought. I stayed away from heim joints because of the maintenance required. They just don't seem to last long in street use from what have seen and require maintenance.
I really like the mechanical integration of the BJ brackets in the LCAs. You’re not putting a shear load across a weld. Infinitely stronger than other similar mods that I’ve seen in the past. Great thinking, and proof that you have fantastic engineering and fabrication skills. One of my favourite channels, and very relatable
Thank you! You're the first to notice that. I specifically made the flange a slide-in to create a mechanical connection with the control arm prior to welding.
Safety goggles.