825 replies to this topic

[speedengineer]

Tonight I reglued the fat cat upper spring bushing/spacer to the top hats. 

 

Then, reinstalled all of the engine bay parts that I removed prior to paint.  Took surprisingly more time to reinstall than it did to remove, though I was being careful not to scratch the fresh paint as it isn't fully cured yet. 

 

Also took the time to clean out the inside of the coolant overflow reservoir as it had many years of nasty crud on the inside. 

 

[speedengineer]

I will be replacing the wheel bearings/hubs at some point this year.  However, because I'm a couple weeks behind schedule and there are more important things to work on, I am going to reinstall as stock just to get the car up and running.  I can finish plenty of other items in the time it takes to get new parts, re-grease bearings, prep and paint knuckles, and press/reinstall the new bearings. 

 

That said, I still wanted to remove the brake dust shields.  At first glance, you might think that in the rear, you have to press out the hub and bearing in order to remove the shield.  Well that is true, only if you care about being able to reuse the dust shield. 

 

Removing it takes just minutes, here is how you do it.  Photos for the rear.  (Front is even easier, no chisel required, and way, way faster than bothering to slide the hub off).

 

1)  With a hammer and chisel, 'cut' through the shield in two spots, as you won't be able to cut in this location with tin snips.  The cuts will need to be not quite 180 degrees apart.  The metal is soft, so it's easy to cut.  Here is one example:

 

2)  With tin snips, cut the shield from the edge up to the chisel cuts.

 

 

3)  Slide the dust shield off.  Might need to give it a wiggle.  It's that easy!  The whole process is just a couple minutes per shield.

[speedengineer]

Who wants to guess where I am on this timeline currently? 

 

 

 

 

[Bench Racer]

A week ago today Erik and you were doing experimentation, socializing with friend therefore your previous to the "will it never end " point, seems to be your at the "oh $hit moment".

 

Hey, most of all, Have Fun.  

[speedengineer]

A week ago today Erik and you were doing experimentation, socializing with friend therefore your previous to the "will it never end " point, seems to be your at the "oh $hit moment".

 

Hey, most of all, Have Fun.

 

Ha!  Naw that was working with friend to build race motor.  You are right though that I'm not to the "oh $hit" moment yet.  I think I'm still a couple weeks out from that.  Thing is, I've already not been shoveling or doing laundry nor much socializing.  So I'm not sure what I have left in order to free up more time for being in the garage.  Maybe say goodbye to mazda forums!? 

[speedengineer]

Anyway, update on motor status.  Last night Erik and I completed machining our relief cuts and plunge cuts on both our cylinder heads.  Our machinist is awesome, he let us do the cuts ourselves on his machine.  We are leaving the valve job to his expertise though, so hopefully that will be done this week, and we can do a final CC and then hone/deck/shave and get to reassembling the motors!

[Bench Racer]

If after last nights machining Erik and you stopped at the bar for a few beers, you were pi$$ing away time.

[speedengineer]

If after last nights machining Erik and you stopped at the bar for a few beers, you were pi$$ing away time.

 

We didn't leave the shop until after midnight!  Sadly no bar.  Doesn't mean I didn't do my offseason athletic training when I got home and do a couple 12oz curls.  Problem is I only seem to exercise the arm that is on the side of the coffee table.  hmm.

 

I'd be out in the garage right now, but I'm waiting for the heat to come up from 45 to 60.  Should be almost there, takes an hour at most.  It is literally 3 degrees F outside right now. 

[speedengineer]

Pro Complete novice tip:  when changing the fuel filter on a miata, be sure to disconnect the lines at the tank first.  Otherwise...siphon...mess...oops. 

[speedengineer]

Thought readers might be interested in seeing how Erik and I did our cylinder head machining.  Here is a photo showing all of the machining cuts we performed: 

 

[Bench Racer]

^      

 

Just finished my daily 2 mile walk, dressed for 8* F. The warmer weather is coming your way, southwest winds.

 

My friend has a 4500 sq. ft. hanger with pellet stove keeping it at 50* F, walk in flip the area switch for infrared, instant desired temperature. Totally insulated and in summer when 90* F out side, keep the doors closed and very comfortable inside all day. 

[Rob Burgoon]

Pro Complete novice tip:  when changing the fuel filter on a miata, be sure to disconnect the lines at the tank first.  Otherwise...siphon...mess...oops. 

 

Work faster.

[Jim Drago]

Took surprisingly more time to reinstall than it did to remove

Surprisingly that seems to hold true with everything.. I find it is 2:1 or so ratio with most things on the car.

[speedengineer]

Dirty calipers:

 

Disassembled rear calipers:

 

 

Disassembled and cleaned all 4 calipers, but I am waiting on rebuild kit/seals to arrive, so can't reassemble today. 

 

 

In the meantime, it's still very much winter up here in the North:

[speedengineer]

Welded some 1"x1"x6.5" pieces of angle iron on the car for jacking points.  They will get paint later.  Very happy that we can do this reinforcement now, with the new rule.  Still pissed that we can't also do it for the jack stands.  I saw that the letter somebody had written was rejected.  Oh well.

 

 

 

Disassembled the bottom end, again. Ready to go to the shop for hone and decking.

 

 

Mounted my tires on the wheels, ready to go.  I am running out of little things to work on while waiting for the seat to show up so I can finish the cage.  Recaro, you're killing me, ship that thing already!!

[speedengineer]

Most importantly, she said yes!!

 

 

[Jim Drago]

Now there is another serious dent in the racing budget
Congratulations!
Jim

[Erik Hardy]

.....I wonder how many of you think Jason recently got engaged to a woman..... versus his terrifying love for cars.............................................................................

[MotoFusi]

Congratulations!!!! Great work....... Oh and congrats on her saying yes too...........

[Bench Racer]

Priorities, the best comes last, congratulation to the happy couple.