Engine Replacement

After reading the advice given in the Extreme Engine Overheat thread, I've decided to go the safe route and get a junkyard engine instead of paying hundreds to get the head fixed and gambling on the block still being good after the overheat.

This will be the first time for me to pull a Miata engine. When I had a 1986 Subaru, I pulled the engine while leaving the transmission attached to the car when I needed to replace the clutch. I have seen instructions for removing the Miata engine where the engine is removed along with the transmission, and where the transmission is not removed with the engine. Which would be easier for someone changing the motor in their driveway? Any other advice?

Thanks

Definitely easier and cleaner to pull the engine and tranny together. Takes a bit of finagling, but its far simpler than separating the bellhousing in the car. Biggest challenge is making sure you know how to remove the ppf bolts, which require being pushed up a little to unlock them. Other than that, you just need a good hoist and a spare pair of hands or two to guide it out. You can remove the AC compressor and PS pump and leave them in the engine bay connected to their hoses. Just zip tie them or bungee to keep them out of the way.

Remove the radiator, airbox, front sway bar, and get all your wiring harness stuff disconnected (takes a little exploring to find it all) and drain the tranny and engine so you don't spill it all over the place when you start tilting it and pulling the driveshaft.

Figure out a way to do it in the garage (or a garage if you don't have one). You'll appreciate the shade, and won't be hurried if you run in to complications.

Do you get any guarantee on a junkyard motor?

Depends upon the junkyard. The last one I bought for the 1999 came with a 30 or 60 day warranty, I forget which. Unfortunately, the friend that installed it took 30 days, and it only lasted a couple of months after that. Car-part.com has two listed at Mazda-Nissan Heaven and one at Alpha-Omega Imports, both real close to me. I'll call tomorrow and ask about warranties before heading over and picking one up.

Was wondering since you have to factor that into the install timeline.

Better than the used Miata motor I got a few years ago. When I asked the seller about the warranty he sicced his dog on me.... ;-)

As I now have the equipment to do the swap myself, a Mustang that I will sell later, and have the time as I am between jobs, I should be able to get the swap done before the warranty runs out.

PS - Check with Nash at JDM Alliance. Good guy to deal with.

http://www.jdm-online.com/

The website prices include shipping, so expect to pay less if you're local and pick it up.

Its a whole lot easier to leave the trans in the car, but I do them all the time. (pulling one in the morning)
I agree with Sammmmm, and I have installed lots of JDM engines in Miatas.
That is by far the best way to go, every one has been flawless.
Not the case with junkyard engines.

Just finished the swap using a 2004 motor with a one-year warranty from Mazda-Nissan Heaven. I kept the transmission attached, and discovered it wasn't as attached as I would have liked. After I got the newer motor in the car, I discovered that the air conditioning compressor mount was different. I think that was the only real surprise.

The core will go back to Mazda-Nissan Heaven so I can get my $100 core charge back. I had debated keeping it and rebuilding it, but I am kind of hoping I don't ruin any more motors.