Kugawestie's MX5 SDV Build Thread - Now An Upgrade Thread

[KugaWestie]

Did the others bits arrive Gary?

Yes Craig, cheers

I picked the parcel up from the sorting office today, not opened it up yet though, so are there any nice suprises in there?  

[Dommo]

Well I have new found optimism in them being in the letterbox when I get home!

Sorely misplaced...

... ah well, Westfield did say they went out Friday so I'll give Postman Pat one more day...

[KugaWestie]

I am sure they will turn up Dom!

Time for an update, made some good progress over the last few days.

Due to the worn/previously doctored crankshaft and main bearings, I decided to try and source a second engine. This was despite Frasers kind offer of some replacement bearings.

Anyway, I managed to get a complete engine for a good price, and it got delivered to Dads last Friday. Got lots of spares now including alternator, starter motor, wiring loom etc etc  

Dad got it stripped down on Monday this week, and the bearings were good (phew). The block has been painted (looks great - photos to follow) and the pistons are now back in and the engine is turning nicely  

Also dropped the sump and oil pick up pipe (cheers Craig) off at a friendly fabricator for the sump mod, and I hope to have this back on Monday.

Just waiting for front and rear crankshaft seals to arrive, and then the short engine can be completed.

The spacers turned up from Westfield today for the rear metalastic bushes

Also the CV boots I have been waiting for to complete the second drive shaft arrived.

A couple of hours in the garage tonight has seen some good progress.

Second drive shaft CV boots fitted, so all complete

After this, I fitted the drive shafts and rear hubs, as well as popping the discs on all round - it felt like a bit of a milestone day  

Next up - refurb the brake calipers.

Has anybody got an engine hoist they can lend me - Oxford or Banbury area?

[TIG Brother]

just out of interest, who is doing your sump mod ?

and i may be able to help on the engine hoist situation

[KugaWestie]

just out of interest, who is doing your sump mod ?

and i may be able to help on the engine hoist situation

C&N Steelwork in Banbury, we use them at work, just hope they do a good job!!

Engine hoist - sounds good if you can. My Dad has a trailer if that helps  

[Mooch]

That's all looking rather nice.  A very neat job

So if you got the diff bushes, I wonder why Westfield fobbed me off with the 'they are not supplied anymore because you don't need them' line.  I don't have any fitted.  

I feel a phone call coming on in the morning    

[TIG Brother]

lets hope they do,

i was going to say you either need an estate car or van to put it in ideally

[KugaWestie]

lets hope they do,

i was going to say you either need an estate car or van to put it in ideally

Trailer will be ok I would have thought?

Have you got a hoist of your own?

[KugaWestie]

That's all looking rather nice.  A very neat job

So if you got the diff bushes, I wonder why Westfield fobbed me off with the 'they are not supplied anymore because you don't need them' line.  I don't have any fitted.  

I feel a phone call coming on in the morning    

Thanks  

I rang them up, explained what I needed, and they said no problem and posted them, simple as that. Other option is to pack out with washers...

[TIG Brother]

yeah i have my own hoist was a worthy investement

[KugaWestie]

yeah i have my own hoist was a worthy investement

Lager, bitter, cider or stout?  

Cant make my mind up whether to just drop the gearbox and short engine in to start with, or drop the whole lot in  

[Cleggy the Spyder Man]

looking good chap  

[Mark (smokey mow)]

Looking at the oil on the heater hose I thing the o-ring oil seal on the cam angle sensor may be failing.

[TIG Brother]

id drop the whole lot in myself, but then if you need to get the prop shaft modified etc then you could mock that up first to get the lenghts correct and have it sent away whilst you sort the other parts

[KugaWestie]

Looking at the oil on the heater hose I thing the o-ring oil seal on the cam angle sensor may be failing.

Yep, seen that.

I am using the block from the kit purchased from CraigR, and then new gaskets/seals everywhere, as well as best parts from either engine, worth it IMO before dropping it in