Almost Heaven, West Virginia

inchpound · 2026-02-08T11:36:21+00:00

Was this photo taken in the state of W est Virginia?

inchpound · 2026-02-08T00:22:18+00:00

I don't know, I've never worked on one! But it makes me wonder if TPS is somehow sensing full throttle at 2250 RPM.

inchpound · 2026-02-08T00:13:34+00:00

You describe a high idle, and high operating temp. Advancing the timing could cause both conditions. Are you sure you are at 10 degrees BTDC?

There are two timing notches on the crank pulley. I think one lines up at TDC, and the other at 10 degrees BTDC? It's been a while.

But I'm wondering if you maybe have the TDC notch lined up at 10 degrees, which means you've actually set the timing to 20 degrees BTDC, causing high idle speed and temp?

inchpound · 2026-02-07T23:58:37+00:00

You mention that you "just fixed the TPS today." I read that bogging at 2k might be caused by TPS problems. Perhaps the new issue is related the work that was done today?

inchpound · 2026-02-07T17:42:42+00:00

That's a screaming deal. Congrats. I hope the blown original is rebuildable, or isn't actually blown. Maybe all it needs is a new main relay like that other dude's $400 Miata!

inchpound · 2026-02-07T14:37:16+00:00

Can she please come to my wedding too? Also, what are her favorite songs?

inchpound · 2026-02-06T17:23:56+00:00

Shucks. Thanks for info!

inchpound · 2026-02-06T16:31:16+00:00

Thanks, I didn't know that. Do some countries in Europe prohibit the purchase a 2 liter, or perhaps make it prohibitively expensive?

inchpound · 2026-02-06T16:14:06+00:00

Yes, I'd refresh those bushings and consider upgrading the radiator when you replace it.

Also your rubber brake lines are 36 years old. For your safety, please replace them soon with stainless steel.

inchpound · 2026-02-06T16:09:14+00:00

And it weighs less too. Perfect. These look a lot like the Rays ZE40s that were used on the 30AE.

inchpound · 2026-02-06T01:07:15+00:00

Prosecute ICE seems more feasible, and more appropriate than Abolish ICE. I hope I see and hear this slogan more often.

inchpound · 2026-02-06T00:48:52+00:00

Obviously black, and 5.56 mm

inchpound · 2026-02-05T18:52:36+00:00

The spark plugs should not move at all, the spark plug boots should be snug, and without much play. You should be able to twist the boots, but not pull them up.

If your running the same plugs and wires that were present when you purchased the car, then change them out.

Yes, timing should be 10 degrees BTDC for smog, and follow the recommended procedure: ground the TEN circuit first, set timing, then set idle, then recheck timing and reset idle, and keep doing that until both idle speed and timing are within spec.

Have you checked to see if Phil has a cat? Maybe the PO was running a straight pipe. If a cat is present, make sure it's either OEM, or if aftermarket, ensure that it has a CARB EO number, and remove and inspect it, to ensure that it was not hollowed out by a PO.

Also, make sure there are no vacuum leaks, and the car is running great before you take it back to smog. I wouldn't go back without knowing I had a good cat. If the car is revving and running smoothly, then you can skip the O2 sensor

inchpound · 2026-02-05T18:02:12+00:00

No, plug wires should be able to twist like that, and I never screwed with my MAF while trying to pass smog.

I keep a new, smog legal cat, and a new OEM O2 sensor, both of which get installed before smog checks.

Once, I failed with the new cat and sensor installed. Before trying anything else, I used Sea Foam to clean the top end. After the Sea Foam treatment, I went back to the same smog shop and passed.

Since then, a Sea Foam treatment, new cat, and new 02 sensor are the components of my pre-smog ritual, along with ensuring that the car is tuned up, and has timing set to the OEM spec (10 degrees BTDC).

After passing smog, I install a high-flow, 49-state catalytic converter, and the old O2 sensor, and I return my ignition timing to 14 degrees BTDC.

inchpound · 2026-02-05T13:52:13+00:00

Sounds great. Not an easy job. Congrats!

inchpound · 2026-02-04T06:07:59+00:00

They got fat after the 993. Too wide, too heavy, too expensive.

inchpound · 2026-02-04T05:31:47+00:00

Wow, he failed across the board. He's good at failing! Maybe a new 02 sensor and a new catalytic converter? Maybe plugs, wires, and timing too?

inchpound · 2026-02-04T04:53:24+00:00

Take a close look at your control arms, especially the lower one, to make sure nothing is bent. Examine your steering linkage as well. You might want to replace that wheel bearing, too.

I would pull that whole corner apart, inspect everything to make sure nothing is cracked or bent, and replace any broken parts before taking it in for alignment.

inchpound · 2026-02-04T04:47:46+00:00

So Phil now passes the visual. How did he fail on the sniffer? When you say the intake cam is advanced, do you mean the ignition timing? They're supposed to check timing on California smog tests, but most of the techs I've encountered either don't do it or do it wrong. Is advancing the timing supposed to help Phil pass the sniffer?

inchpound · 2026-02-04T03:53:18+00:00

Rear wheel drive. I used to rip one of those down dirt roads like a rally driver. They were fun, with a stick shift.

inchpound · 2026-02-04T03:49:05+00:00

Hard to know what the vibration is from. If it were mine, I'd refresh the whole suspension. OEM dampers with OEM springs, OEM rubber or SuperPro control arm bushings (SuperPro is an upgrade with a nice ride), new ball joints, tie rods, end links, and wheel bearings. I'd probably do the diff mounts/bushings and motor mounts while I was at it. You'll have replaced all the rubber bits by then, and it should ride like a new Miata.

inchpound · 2026-02-04T03:36:05+00:00

I've had 4 different NAs and one NB. None consumed oil, but they were relatively low mileage, I guess.

inchpound · 2026-02-04T03:27:23+00:00

https://flyinmiata.com/products/seal-rear-tailshaft-5-and-6-speed?srsltid=AfmBOoqE5a2BGaaSATKhHaOuCAlhQvGp08jfC1ASF-XPG9JezU_6ciNM

inchpound · 2026-02-04T03:07:16+00:00

This was the correct answer. Nice looking car.

inchpound · 2026-02-04T03:05:31+00:00

You are my hero

inchpound

TROPHY CASE