Project: 1995 Miata

[Jake]

I'm gonna look at things when I get home to see if there's a hose that isn't clamped or attached before I go all crazy with RTV/Hondabond... but good to keep in mind.

[Jake]

I got home later than I thought last night and had no desire to poke around and find a coolant leak.

So I filled the transmission with fluid and went inside to watch Fringe.

Baby steps.

[JustinG]

Been there done that. You get motivated and burn yourself out working on the car non stop for a weekend. Best thing to do is let it sit and chill for a couple of days. You will probably notice more than one thing that looks off once you have fresh eyes.

[Jake]

Been there done that. You get motivated and burn yourself out working on the car non stop for a weekend. Best thing to do is let it sit and chill for a couple of days. You will probably notice more than one thing that looks off once you have fresh eyes.

That's my thought. Hyperfest (my goal for "on the road") is still over a month away, so there isn't a huge rush to finish this. Although with the nice weather...

I called RRT yesterday and ordered tires. Getting the Dunlop ZII's, which are the "new Star Spec" tire. They should be here in a few days.

[Jake]

Ugh, okay, more updates.

First, we found the coolant leak. When I moved the water outlet from the '95 to '99 block, I failed to realize there was a gasket involved. On both motors, it was covered in grime. So, first I put the water outlet on and it "sealed" against the half of a gasket that was remaining on the '99 block. Then I added a new gasket but didn't realize there was one to scrape off.

THEN we figured everything out (after Cabell drove me to the Mazda dealership to get an OEM gasket) and scraped the old gasket off, installed the new one, and hooray, no leaks. Thank you thank you to Cabell for all of the help.

So yesterday, Goodspeed came over and we mounted my wheels (with sticky new tires!) and dropped the car to the ground. New problem unlocked! Clutch won't disengage.

It doesn't seem to be a hydraulic problem. The slave cylinder works - piston extends and pushes the throwout arm when you press the pedal. Goodspeed helped adjust the clutch pedal, which improved the feel of things (got rid of some slop) but still no dice.

I figure it's worth bleeding the clutch line, just to say I tried that. But nothing was disconnected and no fluid was spilled, so... it's doubtful.

The other potential issue is (according to Miata.net) the clutch disc can be installed backwards, and everything will still bolt up... it just won't disengage.

My guess is that on Saturday, we're pulling the transmission.

Sigh. It never ends.

[JustinG]

First time swapping an engine. And it runs. Id say success.

Sucks ya gotta drop the tranny though. I've never dealt with a fluid issue where the clutch stayed engaged, usually the opposite. But worth a try.

[navin]

Anyone have a slave cylinder you can use to test before dropping the trans..? I imagine they aren't expensive, might just be worth it to replace and see if that does the trick.

Sorry about the luck dude, hope it's an easy fix!

[D_Eclipse9916]

First time swapping an engine. And it runs. Id say success.

Sucks ya gotta drop the tranny though. I've never dealt with a fluid issue where the clutch stayed engaged, usually the opposite. But worth a try.

Seriously. You won't do those mistakes again will you? The clutch face is a big possible one, I never did it myself but a buddy did it. Ever since I have been scared of doing it wrong. You will always have some small mistakes, just avoid the big ones, for your first time you did awesome.

Then again, I seem to always get the problems that are according to shops "never seen that before" or "that shouldn't have happened". :lol:

Don't feel bad, hell these two pictures were just in the past 2 months for me :lol:

[D_Eclipse9916]

I just realized I could have had a "failed picture thread" for all the failures/mistakes/problems I have had with my race car in the past year.

[Jake]

Anyone have a slave cylinder you can use to test before dropping the trans..? I imagine they aren't expensive, might just be worth it to replace and see if that does the trick.

Sorry about the luck dude, hope it's an easy fix!

Well, I don't think the slave cylinder is really the problem. You can see it move the piston and thus the throwout arm when the pedal is pressed. It's not leaking. If there is some air in the line, then maybe it's not moving the arm enough, but I kinda doubt that.

First time swapping an engine. And it runs. Id say success.

Sucks ya gotta drop the tranny though. I've never dealt with a fluid issue where the clutch stayed engaged, usually the opposite. But worth a try.

Seriously. You won't do those mistakes again will you? The clutch face is a big one, I never did it myself but a buddy did it. Ever since I have been scared of doing it wrong. You will always have some small mistakes, just avoid the big ones, for your first time you did awesome.

Very true. There's a first time for everything, and the entire project has been a huge learning experience. I just keep telling myself that this is part of the learning. And yes, the fact that the engine runs on the first try, idles smoothly, and nothing seems to leak or catch fire is a huge first step.

I have four weeks 'til Hyperfest, and my goal is to drive the car to Summit Point on that Thursday after work. Come hell or high water, it'll happen.

[navin]

You have me re-thinking my clutch install I did now...!

[SlimKlim]

Seriously. You won't do those mistakes again will you? The clutch face is a big one, I never did it myself but a buddy did it.

Full disclosure, I fucked up the clutch install and it wasn't my first one.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Seriously. You won't do those mistakes again will you? The clutch face is a big one, I never did it myself but a buddy did it.

Full disclosure, I fucked up the clutch install and it wasn't my first one.

And your ass will be under there fixing it :wink: Shit happens and will happen again.

[SlimKlim]

Yep.

I want to see just how quickly we can get in there and flip that fucker around. If we have a couple people to help and pass tools I think doing it in 4-5 hours should be realistic.

[Jake]

Yep.

I want to see just how quickly we can get in there and flip that fucker around. If we have a couple people to help and pass tools I think doing it in 4-5 hours should be realistic.

10 AM go time again on Saturday?

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yep.

I want to see just how quickly we can get in there and flip that fucker around. If we have a couple people to help and pass tools I think doing it in 4-5 hours should be realistic.

10 AM go time again on Saturday?

If you end up not doing it this weekend, I can help you knock it out one night next week.

[Jake]

Yep.

I want to see just how quickly we can get in there and flip that fucker around. If we have a couple people to help and pass tools I think doing it in 4-5 hours should be realistic.

10 AM go time again on Saturday?

If you end up not doing it this weekend, I can help you knock it out one night next week.

I'm traveling for work most of next week and into the weekend. This has to get done on Saturday, or it won't get done for another couple of weeks.

[NTIman]

I just realized I could have had a "failed picture thread" for all the failures/mistakes/problems I have had with my race car in the past year.

Can we start an "MM Fail" thread? I'm sure there could be some great pictures and stories in there from a good portion of the club.

[CaptainHenreh]

Can we please start it off with a picture of Feersty's chrome hubcaps?

[JustinG]

Can we please start it off with a picture of Feersty's chrome hubcaps?

Or his Krylon fog lights