KingOfSpades' "Build Thread

[31N007]

got the motor apart all the way. The windage tray is a major PITA if you don't want to take the tranny off. I drilled two holes in the dust shield and got to the bolts from there so I didn't have to take the tranny off. The flywheel has two grooves where you can fit the socket past to get to the two 12 mm bolts. From there, it was smooth sailing. My pal pushed two pistons up and out of the block, I did the other two. No noticable damage on the piston rings, my buddy said that the rings on the bad cylinders were worn down; not sure if he was saying that to make me feel a little better about the whole ordeal. I'm going to try to clean up the VC and paint that tomorrow. Gives me something to do while I wait for parts to arrive.

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From here out, it's going to be putting everything back together EXACTLY as I took it out, save for a few sheared bolts. I'm tempted to pick up an exhaust mani and catless downpipe before putting everything back together?

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Not sure what else to update. The bloke who helped me said I should get forged pistons and all while I've got it apart but money is key right now and I don't exactly have much. I just want to get her to stop pushing out all that smoke and all.

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The far left one isn't as bad as it looks in the pic but that and the third one in were the low comp. cylinders...

Hopefully my mate and I can get her all back together next week. I really want to be able to show dad my (friend's) handy work. He's been doing a good 85% of the work while I stand back and ask him silly questions. I'm learning bit by bit about how to do things and hopefully from here on out, I'll be able to do my own work and show him the results.

 

[azuelke]

Forged internals are always better, but there really is no need to upgrade unless you plan on boosting, heavy amounts.

 

[31N007]

Forged internals are always better, but there really is no need to upgrade unless you plan on boosting, heavy amounts.

I figured as much. And that's why I don't really plan on going forged. It would be sweet because I think I'd be the only one at my school who's forged but at the same time, I'm not trying to build something to show off, I'm trying to build something that'll get me from A to B and run right. The KL swap (if that happens) is what I'll do down the line when I have fundage and plenty of time- that's if the body is still in one piece. (that'll be my "show off" motor )

I'm really looking forward to getting her back up and running; I know I don't drive her but it's kind of depressing knowing that she's so messed up!

 

[tweety2300]

The only way you can learn is by doing it, no reading a book or watching a video will help you.

I'd never done struts before till last week. Nothing is hard its just putting it back together the same way it came apart, except engine internals, those have to be in tourque specs but still not hard

But with big projects like engine rebuilds its good to have somebody that knows what they're doing

 

[31N007]

The only way you can learn is by doing it, no reading a book or watching a video will help you.

I'd never done struts before till last week. Nothing is hard its just putting it back together the same way it came apart, except engine internals, those have to be in tourque specs but still not hard

But with big projects like engine rebuilds its good to have somebody that knows what they're doing

That's why I got my buddy to come round I think I owe him a few dinners after the s*** I put him through. I said I'd try and help him with when he has the parts to put his car back together.

It's kinda funny because, a few years ago, he and I would hang out and bike together. Now that we both have cars, when they both run, we're probably going to be driving out cars all over the place!

I definately agree with the doing it bit. I gotta say, when I took the bottom bit off my rods to push them up through the cylinders, I was chuffed- it felt so good getting to take something out of my car. Then my mate came over and said good job. It's just really neat tinkering with things like that.

I'm sad to say that when I took my air intake off all the way to the throttle body (I think that's what it was), I was like, s***, I've never done anything like this before. The most I'd ever done with an engine was change the air filter and refill the wiper fluid. Now I know how to do the oil next time I change that and do other things too!

 

[31N007]

Cleaned the VC up a little. I tried to get it looking shinier but couldn't. Planned on painting it red and doing the sanded silver lettering but then my ma said, paint the letters red and see about that first. Sounds like a plan to me. This way, if I don't like it, I can sand down the lettering and then do the whole thing red if I so choose.

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[31N007]

Haven't updated in a few days. I got my parts from onlinemazdaparts. The bloke I talked to was very helpful and I couldn't be any more pleased.

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Got head bolts, an overhaul gasket kit, and piston ring set. Dang do I love the look of new parts!

I decided to take my intake manifold off, just because, and I took it apart. I'm rather glad I did really, cause I found all four butterflys just sitting bunched together. (I think they're to the VICS?) (The round ones, not the oblong circle thingies). I found them and 5 of the 8 screws. What bothers me is whether they're still inside the manifold... I'm glad the inside was coated in oil though, the screws were stuck in there and so that leads me to believe that this is why my pistons aren't shot to hell.

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Here's them where they should be. As I said on the "What have you done" thread, I'll red Loctite them before sealing the mani back up. I'm thinking/hoping that's what may have caused the CEL to come on but that's probably optimistic.

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The last pic I think, of this update would be the heads of the pistons... I've asked also, how to go about cleaning them off w/o damaging them... It's the same story for the underside of the block (combustion chamber?) I'll have to get a wet rag to the underside of that. That is, if I can figure out how to take my valves out. I don't want any water or other substance sitting in there.

I'm really liking the whole fact that I get to learn about engines and stuff while taking the things apart. The fact that I'm dumping my money into it is rewarding but it sucks too cause now I'm broke!! (more on that in the "What pissed you off" thread...)

All in all, I'm kinda sad I got a bad motor but I'm hopeful that my pal and I can fix it up to where it won't matter!

 

[31N007]

Have't updated in a while. Here's what I've gotten done so far:

New pistons (2)
New EGR Pipe
Spec piston rings to, what I hope is the right spec.
Hatch the bore on the cylinders (was a mirrored finish)
took the front bumper off again... (for HID retro as an xmas present)
put an aux input in my stereo so i can run my phone off it (it's got the ipod usb cord)
went to a local machinest to get the head work done- i got new valve seals with the gasket overhaul kit and figured, while I've got the head off, it can't hurt. it was $2 a valve and then i had my new pistons installed for $6 a piston.
went back to the machinest to ask about why my old ones were so clean (he took a grinding wheel to it- didn't take the metal off obviously) and asked if he could do that to my other pistons that weren't cleaned up.
figured out that i need that stupid piston ring compressor to get the pistons into the bore ( i thought i could do it by hand- i know, im an idiot)

And now, some pictures to entertain (if that actually works for you guys )

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the hideously maimed piston. i'll show you a picture of the chamber it sat in while i'm at it...

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the rest of the head looked way better though. although i guess i shouldnt really say that- my two outside cylinders got screwed (pardon the pun)

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overall though, i'm very pleased with the shop's workmanship. the bloke who works there was very nice and couldn't have been any more informative.

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really no justice given here but, these are the old first rings i took out. I checked the gap of them- off by .006 in. I think that could be the cause of the burning oil? in any event, i can now narrow it down if ever it still burns oil, to the fact that I messed the piston rings up (hopefully not though! i don't want to have to take the engine apart again!!!). The valves (and seals) are all good to go and the PCV valve still rattles. Now, i know the motors burned throuh oil but i know that being 30 p.s.i. down on two cylinders isn't too common- or at least, i'd hope not.


the fun thing i did though was mount the amp on my back seats.

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i don't plan on running it any time soon- i'll probably end up taking it out when i take it to a body shop just for safe keeping. Plus I don't have a cargo cover. I'm working on that part (need to pester a certain member) (And pull my finger out of my ass when it comes to my paypal. i couldn't deposit $$$ cause i was only 17)

overall i think I've made decent progress. I have this weekend free so I think I'm going ot get cranking and hopefully I'll have her running by sunday. If not, there's always next weekend. I need to pick up some coolant and power steering fluid... The coolant i know is gonna be the green stuf i took out. Just gotta check and see if there's any mixture in particular i should run... The power steering fluid, well, let's just say i didn't know that little pressure thingie came out till i emptied my fluid all over the floor and stuff. I don't really want to run the pump without topping it up cause I don't want any air or stuff in the lines. It's the high end of the pump ( return i think) that's uncovered but still.

Trying to think of what else to say... I guess, I've asked for a set of Morimoto Minis for an xmas present. hopefully i'll have them in soon. Might paint the headlight reflector black as i saw a crisp setup on someone's protege sedan headlamps the other day. I think he (or she) was running larger projectors but i wanted to try the mini out. I don't do much niht time driving and didn't want to risk butchering my housing up too badly (if there's any cutting req'd)


th th th that's all folks...

I'll probably be updating in bi weekly increments ( i think i spellidificated that wrong) for a little while. Not much else is going to be needing doing (knock on wood) in the near future. I'll try and keep her safe and unscathed and relatively winter free. Although i would have loved to drive her the past few weeks. It's been pleasant enouh to where I wouldn't need to worry about water contacting the rust.

No oPHENse if you read this, Phen, but my car isn't nearly at the point yours was at when you sold her. I saw the crime scene photos...

 

[tweety2300]

You didn't use felpro valve seals did you?

 

[31N007]

not at all. genuine mazda only. aside from the oil and the gas and the tyres. but that's all just wear and tear stuff.

I should probably do my belts while i've got the motor off but I'm thinking i'll wait a few more miles. I don't plan on putting too many more miles on her so i'll wait.

when that time comes, again, I'll be using genuine mazda parts.

i couldn't help but think back to a member on here who you said that the felpro head gasket doesn't fit right either. I didn't even look towards felpro to be honest.

 

[31N007]

I went ahead and picked up belts. Figured it's better to just get it done now rather than later.

I screwed up and didn't tighten the head gasket all the way down- I only turned the head bolts to where they were in torque spec but I didn't know that I should've donw 2 sets of 90 degree turns after tightening them... I'm an idiot. She turned over the first turn of the key- I was chuffed about that, but she didn't run quite right.

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So that's why she wouldn't crank. Oil, coolant, and gas (I'm assuming) don't like being mixed. I took the oil pan off last night after taking a break and confirmed 100% that it was coolant in there- tipped the oil pan from side to side and that green s*** ran straight across the top of the oil mixture.

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I'll be taking the top oil pan plate off in the next few days and I'll clean off the rod bearings. If anyone actually reads this, what's the solution that I can use to clean everything off really good? I seem to remember something with alcohol in it but I don't know now... I just want to wipr what I can off and I don't want to worry about anything mixing with the oil if I miss wiping that down...

Also, Merry Christmas/ Happy Holidays. Hope all has been well for you guys. I haven't gotten much but the HID Mini H1s and my cargo cover will be in soon and I'll enjoy getting those

 

[tweety2300]

Just a rag and wipe them off, it should be fine just take some oil and cover the bearings after you wipe then off

 

[31N007]

okay. thanks a bunch. I was planning on trying to do that. didn't really do that before i reassembled the last time, thats another thing i'll have to do this time around. the head is going to be a b**** to clean out but ill let the oil drip into a large pan and hope that the coolant drips out mostly too. my pal said to just drive 1000 miles and do an oil change then. i may go so far as to only go 500? unless that's way too OCD?

 

[Bastian]

Just curious, once you get this car up and running, do you have any other plans for it? Or have you not thought that far ahead yet? Which would entirely make sense hahaha

 

[31N007]

Well, its got 85k on it right now. I plan on getting a few more miles out of her. Perhaps in two summers, I'll try and see where im at money-wise and maybe KL swap her. Ill probably be looking into newer speakers soon. The stockers and the sub hit plenty hard but my rigged tweeters dont really do it for me. I picked up a cargo cover and a set of Morimoto Mini H1s for an Xmas present, I'll be putting them in once I get em. Most likely I'll be looking to get a modest tint job all round- my dads Altima has 35/15 r/f I think, he had them installed from the dealer for fweeeee cause they really wanted him in the car, I cant argue, I feel kinda baller in it with the tints...

After that, I dont know. Well, really, before march, I want to try and get the bodywork done. My dad hasn't really put much if anything toward the car so im counting that as his payment and the gifts so far. If I can talk the POinto it, I may be able to get the fenders and the hatch done for $700 as opposed to around $1200. He's got connections...

I think I've thought way too far ahead. I was gonna pick up rims but that's 1) too expensive, 2) pointless as the stockers look nice and I think I have a set of all seasons on right now. I couldn't be happier tbh. $4000 was a little steep but I've learned a lot and I figure $700 ish into maintenance isn't too bad.

If I feel comfortable enough, next summer I'll probably be taking it on a roadtrip to New Jersey to see a mate I met on PSN a while back. There's another guy up in Ontario so I might go up there too. I've been talking to them since '07 now, couldn't be nicer guys imo. Both seem normal.

So, to answer your question, yes, I do have plans big plans. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd say they're massive.

Mind me asking what your plans are, to spin the question on its head?

 

[tweety2300]

So you didn't use assembly lube or anything? I hope you didn't start it up with everything being dry...

 

[31N007]

Not at all, I haven't reassembled her yet. I plan on oiling up the rod bearings and all the parts that need oil. Ill wipe the surfaces I can get to off as best as I can, then I'll work on the passages for the oil and coolant. I figure filling the coolant ones with water should clean it out seeing as I have my radiator detached. Ill use distilled water so there's no worry of corroding parts over time. The oil passages, I might use the rest of the oil I had left from when I filled her up. It's not been contaminated.

As far as assembly lube, can i just slather oil onto all the pieces, like the cams to lube those up? I used WD-40 when i put my pistons in last time. I might use that again. I need to go out and buy a ring compressor as i borrowed one from my high school shop last time... Ill take the rings out one piston at a time before that and clean out the cracks they sit in. There's coolant and oil stuck in there, if i have her apart, i may as well, right?

please, forgive me and how i dont know what assembly lube is! I've never worked with that stuff before...

 

[Bastian]

Mind me asking what your plans are, to spin the question on its head?

Well I have some 17" Mazda3 wheels lined up for the spring, which I'll hopefully be plastidipping white. I'll also probably be doing some minor rust repair once it warms up. Other than that, it really just depends on what comes to me, if I find any awesome deals on a catback exhaust, etc etc. Definitely not planning on lowering it, seeing as I deliver pizza and can barely make it up some driveways as is.

 

[tweety2300]

When replacing internals you should always use it especially with bearings. When you first start the motor it takes a minute to get air out of the oiling system so untill it bleeds its self nothing is getting lubricated like it should. Which is why at the very least you should cover every thing in oil. This includes all moving parts from bearings to pistons to cams.

I learned this the hard way the first time I rebuilt my old scooter. 4mm stroker kit got tossed in the trash because of it. And it was far from cheap. It was a lesson learned though

 

[31N007]

@Twwety Dang. Ill certainly heed your advice. I cant really afford to **** my motor up...

@Bastian I saw that you had a set of rims... Jelly I are i was gonna try and pick up a header but that fell through. Besides which, if i get an OBX, o could resell it for more if i swap the motor so ill shell out more in the start but i could probably make some dosh back off that. Do you have experience with bondo and all or is it so light you dont even need to worry about that?