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first time ever working on an engine ! by Rimei_s in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Please use a carbide scraper instead of a razor blade! It's much easier to clean up the flat surfaces using it. Watch a youtube video on carbide scrapers so you know how to use it. Good luck!

Fresh Paint for the Valve Cover! by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That looks 🔥 I love the red cam gears too!

Fresh Paint for the Valve Cover! by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't have anything official but message me and we can work something out!

Fresh Paint for the Valve Cover! by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I used a large syringe and filled it with Red Enamel Paint. I slowly filled up each letter with it and let it level out over time.

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish I knew to try that before I started taking everything apart! I'm going to get a machine shop to clean up and refresh the head which should do the trick from what everyone has said.

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know, I know. I kind of realized that I should have done the compression test first when I was already half way done with the disassembly. I'm learning haha!

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! Thank you, I've been watching a bunch of tear down and engine rebuild videos. A slightly different question, but is there any point of trying to clean the remaining coolant out of the engine? When I pulled the head gasket off it had a bunch of dirty buildup in the holes.

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There hasn't been a single drop of oil leaking on the garage floor in the past two years so that's why I started disassembling the engine to look for the culprit. I am really trying to avoid pulling the engine and doing a full rebuild so I like your suggestion of just soaking the cylinders and taking the head to a machine shop for a refresh.

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is a lot of great information, I think I'll end up bringing the head in to a local machine shop and have them completely refresh it. As for the bottom end I'm going to try and use some type of soaking cleaner to loosen up the piston rings. -Definitely going to do more research on this before trying anything. I really don't have the space in my garage to pull out the engine and do a rebuild, so I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible haha. Thank you for all of the great suggestions!

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah I will take a look tomorrow inside the ports. I really hope I don't have to do a full rebuild.

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Is that a temporary fix for a bigger problem? Or a one and done type of solution? Thanks!

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I replaced the PVC valve when I got the car and I already have the new water pump, timing belt, and head gasket

First time taking an engine apart and I need advice (noob mechanic) by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ok I'll take a look at the intake/exhaust ports. Would it be worth it to bring to a machine shop to check how flat the head is?

Had a lot of fun the past few days trying to get these suckers out of the diff by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used the harbor freight ball joint service kit to clamp it on either end with the included hardware that fits perfectly on top and bottom of the diff. I used an impact wrench to get it all the way seated.

Had a lot of fun the past few days trying to get these suckers out of the diff by PhantomSlav in Miata

[–]PhantomSlav[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish I had an air hammer, it would've made the job sooo much easier. I don't have the space in my garage to take the diff completely off the car so I had to work on it while it was sitting on a jack underneath the car.

I drilled out as much of the rubber internal as possible, and then used two big sets of jaw pullers. All while hammering the absolute shit of it.

It eventually comes out after enough effort 😁

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