My Miata Saga

Well, just got off the phone with John....
The bolts on the alternator and power steering were both bent so they had to be replaced, I don't know if that was from the engine jumping around before or after the new motor mounts or what but it's fixed now.
Since the car has been over there around 6 weeks or so the battery went dead and so he trickle charged it, which means I will likely need a new battery when I get it back.
And....the guy who is doing the powder coating on the valve cover said maybe he would have it done by last friday but hasn't returned John's calls Monday or Today so far.:(
I am starting to wonder if I will ever get my car back.

Oh and now there is a leak in the radiator hose connecting to the heater core, I am hoping that will not require a new hose just a clamp.

I've killed a battery dead flat on my '99 recharged it and it's still in the car!

I bet those bent bolts are from a previous incident the car may have gone though somewhere in it's past.....

When was the last time you replaced the heater hoses, they are not "Lifetime" parts. ;-)

At least he is making forward progress!

that actually makes me feel better POS.

I will let you guys know and share some pics when i get it back.

Gary said in hindsight he wished he had taken a pic of the carbon buildup...lol
He said it was really very bad.

John did say that he put a spare valve cover on the car and it fired right up and rev'd real good so thats a good sign since before there was like a second or so lag in the tach after hitting the gas.

Those bolts can be bent by adjusting them wrong... I know, I've done it, lol. It happens when you don't loosen all of the bolts that you're supposed to, and just crank down on the adjusting bolt.

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

Oh and now there is a leak in the radiator hose connecting to the heater core, I am hoping that will not require a new hose just a clamp.

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Tell John to stop taking the motors out with a rusty knife, and he'll solve this problem (my car mysteriously developed a leaky heater core hose during the engine rebuild this past winter as well). ::Bleh::

Seriously though, I hope you get your car back soon.

Thatnks Iain.
Did you have to replace the hose? or was it a clamp fix?
I was already thinking of replacing the upper and lower radiator hoses with the fancy silicone ones, i will likely just replace all the hoses and belts and vacumn lines when I get it back.....I just really don't want to have to bother with anything on this car for a while, I am ready to drive!

He told me I would have to change the oil after the first 1000 miles then again at another 2-3K then I will be able to go back to the Synthetic.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

Did you have to replace the hose? or was it a clamp fix?.

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After all you spent on that motor are you willing to take the risk?

blown hose = cooked motor

YMMV

Billy, check out mazda motorsports. Send them a couple of results from autoXes from the last two years and you get in. Now you can get all your OEM Mazda parts for cheap!

I replaced the hose.

Billy, I wouldn't mess with silicone, unless you can confirm that whatever silicone you buy won't react with coolant. That would be a Bad Thing.

This is what i was thinking of.....

http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewP...eIndexID=36338

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

This is what i was thinking of.....

http://www.miatamania.com/Shop/ViewP...eIndexID=36338

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Why??? :confused:

They come in Red, Blue, and Black...... No Optic Orange..... :(

LOL

I working towards making the car plaid.

No seriously though I dont want to risk it, thats why I will be replacing all the hoses, belts etc when I get it back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

LOL

I wonrking towards making the car plaid.

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Could you please step away from the vehicle Mr. Blaze. ::Bust1::

We have reports that you have been wonrking your car again....... ::Clown::

So back on track! When do you get it back???

LOL

Really i don't know at this point when i will be getting the car back, the guy he has doing the valve cover said he might have it done last Friday and has not returned Johns calls Monday or Tues.
He is thinking the guy may be out of town, they race nitro burning Harleys.
Still he agree's with me that is just bad business....but still that is the only thing we are waiting on now, when the VC comes back he will put it on and bring it to me.
I am hoping a day or so, wishing, praying etc.

I wouldn't pay the extra for those silicone hoses, fwiw.

GOOD NEWS!

Just got off the phone with John, and they are bringing my car out tonight!
I can hardly contain myself.:burnrubr:

Sweet! Keep us posted!

Remember the break in period. Don't get excited too early and overrev the thing.

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Originally Posted by Sharpie

Remember the break in period. Don't get excited too early and overrev the thing.

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FWIW, John told me that I could drive the car straight to MSR from his shop, if I wanted to. He didn't really belive in a break-in period, if the cylinders were properly finished. Mine went to redline numerous times the day I got it back.

I stand corrected.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

GOOD NEWS!

Just got off the phone with John, and they are bringing my car out tonight!
I can hardly contain myself.:burnrubr:

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Got it yet? :D

Got the car back.
It was 200. less than what I expected...that's good news.
Much more torque and speed than before, and the intake volume is almost non-existent...now just the rumble of the Roadster Sport 3.
Something looked a little fishy about the Thermostat housing but couldn't place my finger on it, and the heat shield accidently got left off in putting things back together.
The hose leak is fixed with a clamp.
The valve cover doesn't quite match the rims but for the price it's ok and looks good.
I am taking the car to Gary's house Sunday to get the Heat Shield put back on and have him take a look to make sure everything is ok.
I am fairly confident everything is going to be fine.

I will take some pics of the engine bay tomorrow after getting the inspection and cleaning the car up.
Thanks for all the advice concerning the rebuild.
I will be out driving the hell out of it tomorrow. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

Got the car back.
It was 200. less than what I expected...that's good news.
Much more torque and speed than before, and the intake volume is almost non-existent...now just the rumble of the Roadster Sport 3.
Something looked a little fishy about the Thermostat housing but couldn't place my finger on it, and the heat shield accidently got left off in putting things back together.
The hose leak is fixed with a clamp.
The valve cover doesn't quite match the rims but for the price it's ok and looks good.
I am taking the car to Gary's house Sunday to get the Heat Shield put back on and have him take a look to make sure everything is ok.
I am fairly confident everything is going to be fine.

I will take some pics of the engine bay tomorrow after getting the inspection and cleaning the car up.
Thanks for all the advice concerning the rebuild.
I will be out driving the hell out of it tomorrow. ;)

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Sweet. :burnrubr: