casey_2005 - back to 2 Miatas
- Thread starter nobuffalo
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CodeRedR51
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- 55,322
- United States
Picked up another Miata 2 weeks ago for 350 bucks.
Miata's in worse shape than that, that also need engine work around here are going for $1,200+. 👎
nobuffalo
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- 2,692
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Miata's in worse shape than that, that also need engine work around here are going for $1,200+. 👎
While scanning craigslist I've noticed a real jump in NA prices, some of it obviously has to do with the season but I think they're still a bit higher than usual. With the motor fixed, bumper painted, new fender and a proper detailing I could probably post in on craigs for around 3,000 without being too out of place. Not saying it would sell for that nor is that my plan with the car. BTW it was found posted on craigslist for 450, I came across it maybe 20 hours after it was posted and emailed him instantly. I advised my brother to do so as well to increase our chances. Guy said he had close to 400 messages in 1 day and went through the list backwards, my brother's was the first that mentioned cash so that's who he called. 👍
Anyone know much about internals? As you can see in the pictures the bearing caused some color change on the crankshaft journal but it's smooth all the way across. Is replacement pretty much necessary or do you think I can get by for a while with a new set of bearings? That may be what caused the bearing failure in the first place, though. The pan didn't have any kind of gasket on it so it would seem someone's been inside, perhaps that's damage from a previous bearing failure. It would be great if I could get another 15-20k miles before having to put any real money into it. I could probably find a used engine for 250-300 but I would need to see/hear it running first which cut's down chances.
Advise? I'm not even sure of the next step to take.
CodeRedR51
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- 55,322
- United States
I think our constant warm weather down here has something to do with the cost.
I had to do a bearing replacement on my car. As long as the crankshaft isn't damaged, you could get away with a bearing replacement. Just make sure you plastigauge and purchase the correct size. To be safe you can just have the crankshaft machined as well. If you do go with a new motor, I would try to get one from '92-93. I think the cost between pulling the crankshaft and having it machined for new bearings and getting a used engine would be about the same.
Edit: Here's a great example of the robbery that goes on down here for these cars:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/2984666451.html
I had to do a bearing replacement on my car. As long as the crankshaft isn't damaged, you could get away with a bearing replacement. Just make sure you plastigauge and purchase the correct size. To be safe you can just have the crankshaft machined as well. If you do go with a new motor, I would try to get one from '92-93. I think the cost between pulling the crankshaft and having it machined for new bearings and getting a used engine would be about the same.
Edit: Here's a great example of the robbery that goes on down here for these cars:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/2984666451.html
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nobuffalo
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I'm starting to consider just doing a full rebuild, on a bit of a budget. If I had to take a guess out of nowhere on costs I'd say it would probably run me around 500 bucks. Rebuild kits seem pretty inexpensive, time to cut my hair and get a second job. This would all obviously depend on the condition of the crank keyway or whatever it's call.
I carefully put the subframe back under the front. It looks really nice, almost too nice actually. I give it a few months before it starts chipping off.
That is a bit overpriced but if you could get the car for say 900 and swap in a used engine/manual transmission I still think you'd be coming out ahead. It has a lot of miles but from the pictures the body actually seems to be in pretty good shape.
Thing is you can't take my car as an example of what a "needs work" Miata should cost, it just happened to be one of those too good to be true deals. Even if mine cost 1k, for an extra 500 I could have a reliable and economical daily driver for 1500. That's damn cheap.
I carefully put the subframe back under the front. It looks really nice, almost too nice actually. I give it a few months before it starts chipping off.
That is a bit overpriced but if you could get the car for say 900 and swap in a used engine/manual transmission I still think you'd be coming out ahead. It has a lot of miles but from the pictures the body actually seems to be in pretty good shape.
Thing is you can't take my car as an example of what a "needs work" Miata should cost, it just happened to be one of those too good to be true deals. Even if mine cost 1k, for an extra 500 I could have a reliable and economical daily driver for 1500. That's damn cheap.
- 5,303
- Riverside, Ca
- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
Apply a clearcoat on the subframe?
nobuffalo
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No but I thought about it! I know nothing about paint and was thinking it might be easier to touch up without a clear coat, like I said I know nothing about paint. This car will just be used for city driving and weekend cruising, I shouldn't be taking it through any ditches at speed or anything. If you think it would be wise to put one on I have no problems pulling it off and repainting, I have't even tightened the bolts yet and it's like 4 bucks for a spray can.
- 5,303
- Riverside, Ca
- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
Or you could look around for some underbody armor.. Or even plastic shield.
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
Nice to see you've got another Miata. Making me rather jealous that I have exactly zero of them at the moment!
Tell you what though, once you've got all the important stuff sorted you need to get rid of that nasty airbag wheel. All our UK ones got a lovely Momo wheel as standard. Couldn't imagine having to stare at that big hunk of plastic every time I got in the car!
Tell you what though, once you've got all the important stuff sorted you need to get rid of that nasty airbag wheel. All our UK ones got a lovely Momo wheel as standard. Couldn't imagine having to stare at that big hunk of plastic every time I got in the car!
CodeRedR51
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Oh I'm not. And I am actually looking for a project though, so I'm hoping to find one that needs paint, has a trashed interior/top and needs some mechanical work. I'd say around a $500 project would suit me just fine. I could paint it cheap, the interior would come out and I know every nut and bolt in these cars so fixing anything mechanical is a piece of cake.
Just keeping an eye out...
- 5,303
- Riverside, Ca
- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
Nice! But.. That spot under the master brake cylinder.. Let me guess, brake fluid has ruined the paint and there's nothing you can do?
- 27,219
- United Kingdom
Thanks, and I intend at some point in time to get a momo wheel for it. I was actually gonna mention buying yours from you back when your car was stolen but I didn't think the insurance company would like that too much.
To be honest, I wish I'd bought it back from the insurance company for a pittance - the shell was twisted, but I could have probably made the value of the car back selling parts, since most of the car was actually in good condition. Whole interior save for the steering column surround where they broke it was fine, the engine/gearbox was fine, rear diff was fine... hell, even the spare wheel was fine!
Still, you live and learn. Mainly you learn not to trust anyone and never leave a nice car on the street again...
- 1,522
Sup. Nice Miatas. Look at mine.
nobuffalo
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I have looked at yours, it's pretty much identical to where I would like my silver one to be, someday. 👍
Well, drivetrain wise.
nobuffalo
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Yes it's from brake fluid, seems to be a pretty common occurrence. I probably could do something about it but I'm not going to at the moment, perhaps next time I have the engine pulled.
I'm hoping to have the rest of the subframe/suspension bits back in place by this weekend, bumper, and head lights. Other stuff.
- 5,303
- Riverside, Ca
- GTP_Leonidae_MFT
There will be a next time that requires pulling a motor? Sir, I like the way you are thinking.. 
nobuffalo
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- 2,692
- USA
Progress has been very slow, lost a bit of motivation/interest. :/
I've decided to go with replacing the engine instead of rebuilding it. I found one from a 93 with 98k miles on it, saw it running yesterday so I'm getting it. Guy said he should have it pulled by tomorrow. 👍 Gonna replace the timing belt and some misc seals and gaskets and throw it in. Will probably be about 3 weeks before all is said and done. Then I'm replacing the shocks on both cars.
I've decided to go with replacing the engine instead of rebuilding it. I found one from a 93 with 98k miles on it, saw it running yesterday so I'm getting it. Guy said he should have it pulled by tomorrow. 👍 Gonna replace the timing belt and some misc seals and gaskets and throw it in. Will probably be about 3 weeks before all is said and done. Then I'm replacing the shocks on both cars.
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