"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
01/20/2015 at 12:37 • Filed to: None
0
12|
"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01)
01/20/2015 at 12:37 • Filed to: None | 0
| 12 |
It's a NA (1990) with the engine from a '91 or '92. Not sure why. It hasn't run in seven months and is in need of a new alternator and battery. Also needs an oil change. He wants me to do the work and get it road worthy once again. I'm going to his house on Saturday to do the work for him. Any tips for the alternator swap? I've never worked on a Miata before. Maybe he'll let me drive it if I'm lucky.
Cherry_man1
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 12:40 |
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But bro 24 hours of daytona....
SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 12:42 |
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Might want to swap out the diff and trans fluid while you're at it since no one ever does.
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Big Bubba Ray
> Cherry_man1
01/20/2015 at 12:47 |
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But $250!
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Big Bubba Ray
> SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
01/20/2015 at 12:47 |
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Probably a wise decision. Thanks!
jariten1781
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 12:58 |
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Miata.net garage section has a good write up on it. In fact, it has a good write up on pretty much everything you'd need to do on an NA or NB.
http://www.miata.net/garage/alterna…
Ziptie-McBumper
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 12:59 |
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Probably ought to take a turkey baster and get the old oil out of the turret and replace that too (if there's even any in there to begin with).
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Big Bubba Ray
> jariten1781
01/20/2015 at 13:02 |
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Awesome, thank you!
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Cherry_man1
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 13:03 |
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But Party possible at my place for the daytona.
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Big Bubba Ray
> Cherry_man1
01/20/2015 at 13:05 |
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But hell money for like an hour of work! Haha
If I've got free time after, I'll stop by
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Cherry_man1
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 13:08 |
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alright man money is money
The Real Dacia Sandero
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 13:17 |
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Finally a post relevant to me...
Early Miatas had crankshaft issues. Search Miata short nose crank if you have time to kill and want to learn. Either his engine failed or it was preventive maintenance for like a recall or something.
Alternator is pretty easy but you'll trash your hands on the a/c lines. Ratcheting wrenches will be your best friend. Usually like $25ish bucks for a metric set at advance auto or wherever. It's like 4 bolts to get the alternator. Take out the intake manifold support. It's two bolts and gives you some room. I've never put it back in my car. You'll get arguments either way on whether it's safe to leave it out. Hardest part of the alternator swap is de-tensioning the belt really. Get a new Gatorback belt with the the teeth on the outside.
Order the Westco battery. It's the correct OE spec battery for the Miata. http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performa… If you have a Batteries Plus, they also carry one locally that will work. I have it in my Miata. The Westco is a bit better, but either should be fine. The one's that autozone and others sell aren't a true sealed battery, which you want since it's in the trunk.
Like others said, do the transmission and diff fluid. Get the Ford Motorcraft Full Synthetic Manual Transmission fluid and Redline fluid for the diff. He will love you for it. Other fluids make the transmission extremely difficult to shift on a cold day. Make sure to fill the top shifter assembly with fluid too. I used just under 2 quarts of trans fluid, but some people need slightly more. http://www.miata.net/garage/trans/e…
Working on a Miata is extremely easy. There's plenty of room and most stuff is pretty logical. Miata.net is awesome if you hit any roadblocks. I've worked on pretty much every area of the car too, so ask away if you have any more questions.
Justin Hughes
> Big Bubba Ray
01/20/2015 at 13:19 |
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All these jobs are very straightforward. I've done them all myself. Remove the intake tube between the throttle body and MAF to make alternator access easier if you need to. You might not even need to do that - I can't remember.
The intake manifold makes oil filter access kind of a PITA, but there's a certain way to twist your hand in there to grab it. Oil WILL spill down the side of the block, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Also, the battery's in the trunk. :)
1990 had the short nose crank issue, fixed in 91. That's the most likely reason the engine has been replaced. Probably not like me, who ran out of oil at an autocross because I was stupid.