14 replies to this topic

[HLF]

Now I know why the car a "good" deal. 

 

I pulled the head (about 5 hours of work solo) because I thought I saw white smoke and had a weekend to kill. 

 

Please watch this video and feel free to poke fun at me. 

 

I am not budgeting (time and money) for a complete motor rebuild, I am just trying to get a solid motor that will give me hundreds of hours of seat time.

 

I have been recommended Scroggins here in Houston. I guess they do machine work on Miata heads for Gas Head Motorworks, from what I'm told. I will call them up on Monday and see what they can do for me.

 

 

[Pat Ross]

Contact Jeff at Houston Engine & Balancing in Pasadena and he can give you my phone number. I have the correct seat cutters for the 1.8 liter Miata engines. They can do the valve job for you for a reasonable price. HE&Bs phone number is (713) 472-7116.

Pat

[HLF]

Does anyone think this is not the head? I have been thinking....what would cause all 4 cylinders to become like this?

[chris haldeman]

I don't need too think anything. The engine is wore out. Nothing in the head we cause the pistons,intake ports or anything else too be covered in oil and or carbon. The rings are shot likely do too mileage, maintainence or an over heat. Don't waste your money on just a head. You need a motor. Sry

[Jim Drago]

Does anyone think this is not the head? I have been thinking....what would cause all 4 cylinders to become like this?

unfortunately, that engine is completely wore out. Rebuilding a head and installing it will be a bad approach.
Best options.. find a good used engine under 50-60k, verified by car fax. I can help with that if you need. about 1200

Buy a crate engine from Mazda, not sure on cost now about 3000? I believe they are still available

Rebuild the current engine costs vary greatly depending on if you do it or have it done and who does it.

For what you are doing, A crate seems like a great option, later when you want to upgrade, you can have the head you have built and swap it on your crate bottom.

[chris haldeman]

I agree 100% with Jim. Buy a crate or low mileage engine and run it for awhile. In the mean time have an sm specific head builder prep the head you removed and swap it out later. Myself, Jim,or Ed Gilfus would be my recomendations for the head build. I will be at Tws next weekend for the Scca race if you want too talk and learn

[HLF]

Well damn..... 

 

160,000 miles and the motor is wore out? So now the big question is, what is the hard part about rebuilding? 

 

If its just the rings I can do that over a weekend. I have rebuilt a few Fords V8s in the past. I have never encountered a motor said the be "wore out" so what else could be involved? 

 

I have the tools, I have the know-how, I can find the time, but I cannot budget 3k for a motor. 

 

Anyone have any frugal ideas?

 

Sorry, this post has a lot in it.

 

-Kyle

[chris haldeman]

Just buy a good used motor and put it in and have fun. Till you buy rings bearings, gaskets pay for block too be decked and honed replace water pump , oil pump, and timing kit as well as have head machined and decked you will be farther ahead

[HLF]

so rebuilding is totally out of the question?

[Tom Hampton]

so rebuilding is totally out of the question?

No, it's just cheaper to get a low milage engine. Rings, bearings, gaskets, valve job, head and block machining will cost 2x the price of a low mileage engine. Plus, it will take longer than just a quick swap.

[FTodaro]

FYI rebuilding miata, I did thie a few years ago, first do not use after market parts, like rock auto. If your going to race this car they are not legal. If it's street, the aftermarket stuff may not work. The ring design for the oil ring and piston makes it difficult to get them to seat, so use Mazda parts. Mazda parts are not cheap, rings are like 130.00 a set. If you Do it yourself your looking at 600 to 700 after you have the motor dipped, honed, new pistons, and replace a few bent valves and so on.

Unless you have tool and have nothing better to do.

You are way ahead in my view to just get a good low mileage motor. I am not sure they still have crate motors for your year, I know the do not sell the 99 anymore.

[Jim Drago]

so rebuilding is totally out of the question?

No absolutely not. However I echo the sentiments of those above. Before doing anything, check out Mazdaspeed site and see what you will spend on just the parts. Then figure your machine bill. If you count your time at zero, you will still spend less money buying a crate engine from Mazda. IMO, less you find a good machine shop, you will likely be better off with the crate as well. The verified low mileage is probably the best option with the stated goals and budget. Also, quick and easy swap.
Jim

[wheel]

Buy a low mile street engine.  I got mine from East Street, but there are several others on the site that can hook you up.  Put that sucker in and go.  Sometime down the road you can have a head built by Drago or one of the other good suppliers on this site.

wheel

[JChimbolo]

In a different race class  had an oil issue.  Check the crank case is properly venting.  It will pressurize and push oil.  Or if the rings are too far gone, the vent is too small for the blow by, pressure will also build up. Maybe a ring broke.   I am not an mechanic or anything.  Figure in a street car you would get some smoke when you start the engine, but a race car is spinning at max RPM's, so the crank case venting might not be able to handle all the blow by pressure.  I am thinking something broke.

[HLF]

Is there a good way to check a motor thats not in the car?