NA MX-5: Mark's 1992 Smurf Build

[bazooka joe]

So I picked up a 92 Smurf blue with 250k miles on her in FL this past Aug, I flew done from Boston to Gainesville. The owner picked me up at the airport and took me back to his place of employment. I did a walk around, checked her out, went for a drive through the gears and gave him a bit of cash, got the title and then drove 3 hrs to my moms place in Venice.

The next day I spent several hours cleaning and removing all the dark tint from the side windows, vacuumed out the interior and cleaned up all the plastics. Took her outside and did a good wash of the body. She’s in decent shape, no rust, no dents. The trunk is missing the metal bracing and carpet surrounding it. I picked up some used pieces. I also picked up a used interior carpet and cleaned and dyed it. It was in much better condition than what is in the car currently. While the seats and carpet is out, I’m going to add some heat and sound deadening material.

The dash is in great shape, no cracks. I got a replacement HVAC control panel. The one on the car was completely worn off. I did buy a used center console and cup holder. I also got a used but in great shape, steering wheel with airbag for cheap! The soft top needs a good cleaning and maybe some vinyl “refreshing”.

My plan is to keep it stock. It’s going to be my beach cruiser while staying in FL during the winter months.

I’ll post more pics of the progress in Jan.

 

[Reitrof]

Nice Mark. Should do the job nicely

 

[chiefmg]

Any plans for replacing items like wheel bearings?

 

[bazooka joe]

A lot of the maintenance was done by the previous owner, water pump, timing belt….id have to go back to our conversation but I think he mentioned wheel bearings. Most of the issues right now are cosmetic.
I do have what I call a ”lumpy” idle. Under load the car runs great, at idle though it bounces? I’m going to check a bunch of things that I just didn’t have time to check while there. I’m checking all the obvious, vacuum leaks, wires, bad grounds, any thoughts?

 

[chiefmg]

Not too familiar with the NAs. Trying to think of what I have read, maybe the MAF/air flow sensor? Don't know if they have a IAC valve but might check that as well if so.

 

[Antoine]

Great find, Mark...Should make for a fantastic cruiser! Love that design and looking forward to your updates, thanks for the share.

 

[CTt3P5]

How did I miss this thread?

Nice find and a great beach cruiser for you and Robin while spending the winter down South.

 

[bazooka joe]

Day 1
Deconstruction of the interior. Replacing the carpet so the dash needs to come out.
Found the ignition switch plug has been overheating, need to figure that out.
Two lousy Philips head screws won’t come out, so off to get penetrating fluid tomorrow morning.

 

[chiefmg]

If you don't already have some, I recommend picking up JIS screwdrivers. The Philips head ones are cut differently from the US version and they grab screws better. I bought mine from here: JIS Screwdriver Sets | revlimiter.net Store

I got Sharka's set.

 

[bazooka joe]

Thanks for the tip!

 

[bazooka joe]

So today I finished getting the dash out, wasn’t too bad.
Pics of the ignition switch and connector, new switch and connector ordered,
Ripped out the carpet and scraped and cleaned the backing off the floor.
Vacuumed up the residual stuff and wiped the entire inside clean, or as clean as it’s going to be!
There’s so minor surface rust on the floor boards, so I’m spraying down so rust converter tomorrow then the floor liner for heat and noise prevention.
I also cleaned up the trunk and added a new to me trunk carpet.
Pics for your enlightenment!

 

[CTt3P5]

Nice work and progress!

I second thosee JIS screwdrivers. I bought Ramonas kit, they are a great addition to the tool box.

 

[bazooka joe]

Nice work and progress!

I second thosee JIS screwdrivers. I bought Ramonas kit, they are a great addition to the tool box.

Arrive today from Amazon!

 

[bazooka joe]

Sound/heat material in, carpet after !
Treated all the black plastic, door sills, dash etc…..stuff works!

 

[bazooka joe]

Steamed cleaned the seats!

 

[bazooka joe]

Carpets in.

 

[CTt3P5]

Lookin' good Mark! I know who to call to give my interior a good deep clean.

 

[bazooka joe]

Dash is in, finishing up installing the HVAC control, radio and gauge cluster tomorrow,

 

[chiefmg]

Lookin' good Mark! I know who to call to give my interior a good deep clean.

He can set up at the next MATG and sell his services. The rest of us (who can attend) can stand around and supervise.

 

[bazooka joe]

He can set up at the next MATG and sell his services. The rest of us (who can attend) can stand around and supervise.