Project: 1995 Miata

[Jake]

Another big day today. As always, my friends are the best for helping power through all of this.

Started the day by dropping the transmission, which is harder than it sounds. The stock exhaust has a separate downpipe, but my headers have the downpipe welded on. So, we had to work around it. Dropping the trans includes...

* Remove coil pack and cam angle sensor
* Unbolt headers from block, while working around heater hoses and hard coolant line. Leak coolant everywhere.
* Disconnect upper radiator hose. Leak coolant everywhere.
* Loosen motor mounts
* Jack up front of motor, but not too much
* Wedge trans around everything

Anyway, it was a pain in the ass.

Come to find out, the clutch was installed properly the entire time. However! I suspect the throwout bearing was improperly installed the first time. It fell into the bell housing as we dropped the transmission, so it likely wasn't secured well (if at all).

So, we got the trans back in. Had to drill out two studs from the catalytic converter (they stripped) and replace with nut/bolt combo. Reinstalled exhaust and driveshaft, and lo and behold, it moves!



Joey and I took it for a tank of gas and Wendy's. Some observations:

* Scary vibration/rattle at idle. Need to check motor mount torque. Probably not tight enough.
* Need to adjust clutch pedal travel. It engages too high up (Goodspeed and I fooled with it, so it's expected)
* Check engine light comes on after 2.5 miles of driving. It's OBD I so easy to jump the diagnostic pins and have it blink the code at me.

I have new tie rods coming this week, so I'll need to install those (current ones are shot) and take it for an alignment.

Even with the rattles and scary bits, it felt SO GOOD to be behind the wheel of my car tonight. Huge, huge thanks to everyone who helped rebuild her.