Need rec' on someone to replace my bad crankshafted engine

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06-23-2005, 12:56 PM
gene501

Need rec' on someone to replace my bad crankshafted engine

I just purchased a '90 Miata in excellent shape & hardtop for $3K. It only had 75K miles on it and I jumped on the deal. Well it turns out the guys with a douche and didn't tell me that the crank pully wobbles like no other and the ramications of it doing so. So after a great deal of emotionaly toll reading about this problem, I've decided to move forward and get the car in a reliable state so I can use it as my daily driver.

I can't spare the time or roll the dice on a temporary loctite fix, so my only other option is to replace the engeine.

I found one at http://www.ericjapanengines.com. Its a JDM unit with 30-40K miles, has for $595. +6month warranty. They way $495 + parts to do the install.

I've pondered about doing the 1.8 upgrade, but I'm trying to keep costs and hassle to a minimum.

Anyways, can anyone recommend a shop or individual that might be able to do the job at a better price or with more expertise in the D/FW area.

Thanks.

Eugene
06-23-2005, 01:18 PM
jolberry

Daaamn....you should have had some of the guys on here take a look at the car before you purchased. Everyone on here is pretty helpful in that way most of the time.

Well on the plus side you can sell the hardtop to pay for the new motor.
06-23-2005, 01:40 PM
gene501

Yeah... that would have saved me alot of heartache.

but it is what it is now, and I don't want to ruminate in the past. I'm going to consider it a lesson learned.

But again, any help with a good engine swapper would be awesome!
06-23-2005, 01:42 PM
gene501

oh btw

i'm keeping the top. in for a penny in for a pound.
06-23-2005, 01:58 PM
sammm

Check with Mazda-Nissan Heaven down in Mansfield. They should have some complete 1.6 engines.

Seems to me there were one or two for sale here on our forum. Check back thru our classifieds section.
06-23-2005, 02:07 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene501

Anyways, can anyone recommend a shop or individual that might be able to do the job at a better price or with more expertise in the D/FW area.

Thanks.

Eugene

Steven Boyd of Miata Solutions is one of the best in the area, he should be able to help you!
06-23-2005, 02:24 PM
channelmaniac

If you want to do it yourself, put in an event notice and I'm sure there will be a few volunteers to help for pizza and drinks... :D

There's been several folks here that have done it. I've done intake/exhaust manifolds & replacing a head... as well as the typical water pump/timing belt jobs... Everyone on here is very helpful - just remember your alligator hide.

RJ
06-23-2005, 04:12 PM
Sharpie

Shuhart1 can swap an engine faster than anyone I know. Trackdogracing.com

Miata Solutions has been pretty busy lately, but he may be up for it.
06-23-2005, 04:47 PM
trackdog

Are you sure it is not just the crank pulley that has gone bad? If you are wanting to rebuild your engine our builder in Richardson will do it at a competitive price, not much more than a used engine. Call John at 972-235-7405.

Gary
06-23-2005, 05:45 PM
gene501

crank pulley that has gone bad?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuhart1

Are you sure it is not just the crank pulley that has gone bad? If you are wanting to rebuild your engine our builder in Richardson will do it at a competitive price, not much more than a used engine. Call John at 972-235-7405.

Gary

I have no way of knowing... I do know that the engine doesn't pull linearly 1K-4K rpm. It kinda stutters slightly on the way up the rpms until 4K, then it seems to pull hard and strong.

with the AC on, it has a hard time getting going at all w/o slipping the clutch from 3K..

in the last week i've had it it performance is better some days than others.. i'm no mechanic, but it seems like the timing could be changing on its own--but then again, maybe i've done too much reading on the forums, and its all those bad crankcase demons swirling around in my head.

Anyone up for a testdrive?
06-23-2005, 05:46 PM
Treibenschnell

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene501

Anyone up for a testdrive?

Anytime! http://www.dallasimports.net/forums/...evilboogie.gif
06-23-2005, 05:49 PM
gene501

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuhart1

Are you sure it is not just the crank pulley that has gone bad? If you are wanting to rebuild your engine our builder in Richardson will do it at a competitive price, not much more than a used engine. Call John at 972-235-7405.

Gary

thanks for the info on the builder btw.. I'll check into it. I'm trying to stop the bleeding any way I can. If he is recommended by the enthusiast on this board, and can rebuild it for close to $595 , I will be stoked.

Eugene :sunny:
06-23-2005, 05:51 PM
gene501

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treibenschnell

Anytime! http://www.dallasimports.net/forums/...evilboogie.gif

let me know where and when and I'll meet you. Anytime tonight or tomorrow evening is good for me.
06-23-2005, 05:54 PM
gene501

Quote:

Originally Posted by channelmaniac

If you want to do it yourself, put in an event notice and I'm sure there will be a few volunteers to help for pizza and drinks... :D

There's been several folks here that have done it. I've done intake/exhaust manifolds & replacing a head... as well as the typical water pump/timing belt jobs... Everyone on here is very helpful - just remember your alligator hide.

RJ

I might be interested on taking this on with help, but I'm not so sure What would I be getting myself into. How many hours would this take? A weekend project?

Pizza and Beer are Cheap!!
06-23-2005, 05:59 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene501

I might be interested on taking this on with help, but I'm not so sure What would I be getting myself into. How many hours would this take? A weekend project?

Pizza and Beer are Cheap!!

Where in the Metromess are you located?
06-23-2005, 06:00 PM
gene501

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus

Where in the Metromess are you located?

Las Colinas. 161 & MacArthur
06-23-2005, 06:04 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene501

Las Colinas. 161 & MacArthur

Sounds like a nice central location to pull in both our Fort Worth contingent as well as us bloaks in Southern OK! Gary Shuhart (Track Dog Racing) is in Plano... It would likely be worth an hour of his labor to diagnose the problem even if you decide to pull some helping hands in to try it yourself.
06-23-2005, 06:10 PM
gene501

what is an hour of his time worth?
06-23-2005, 06:16 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene501

what is an hour of his time worth?

Not 100% sure, but I recall thinking it was a pretty good price compared to the $100/hr rates I was used to seeing when I was in CA.
06-24-2005, 04:58 AM
Kags1969

I am at 635 & MacArthur, and will be glad to help.

It is considerably faster to install/swap if you have the replacement engine around. You will see 1.6L Miata engines on ebay and posted quite a bit. Everyone wants a 1.8L upgrade, so the 1.6's are less and less in demand, but still great engines IMHO.

It is a big project, I am still in the midst of finishing my engine swap, but I have been dragging my feet a bit and making mistakes along the way....

Chris
06-24-2005, 09:43 AM
Treibenschnell

I'd be more that happy to help as well...
06-24-2005, 10:23 AM
Tim the Teacher

I can spare a few hours to help as well. :wink:
06-24-2005, 02:11 PM
gene501

test drive

i can't get hold of either the engine builder or the miata guy by tms, and was wondering if I could to bring to car by someone who lives nearby that knows what the engine should drive like to better solidify the issue with the car.

any takers?? you'll get to drive this beautiful '90 miata.. it has four wheels with turn signals and everything!

:dwarf:
06-24-2005, 03:34 PM
Treibenschnell

I'm available in the mornings... this weekend shouldn't be too bad.
06-24-2005, 05:37 PM
Kags1969

I am out of town right now, but should be back on Saturday evening. Maybe we can hook up on Sunday. I dont know much about crank problems.... but I can read a little.

Chris
06-24-2005, 05:51 PM
gene501

ya'll are all worthless!

I wonder how many places there are on the Internet where you can post a problem and have people offer to give up their free time to help fix one's car.

is it possible for a lowly japanese roadster to warp the mind of so many?

:D
06-24-2005, 05:57 PM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by gene501

is it possible for a lowly japanese roadster to warp the mind of so many?

It's like a disease once you've been bitten.