:rofl:
Lovingly making both coolant pipes Polar Bear Brothers. The fit was absolutely perfect and it is obviously going to do a better job than my busted ass, probably-going-to-rust, coupler.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1397739683

I totally forgot I installed it, luckily I got a picture before I did!

So it looks as though I may have been a little lucky that I damaged my alternator. The repair guy called and asked if I knew my main bearing was toast...apparently the main bearing which goes just below the brushes(and the one I was to scared to remove) sounded terrible. Luckily he said he had a couple new 800 series bearing sitting on his desk, so he will replace it.

Plus he will completely reassemble it for me as well as resolder all the copper wires, seeing as several were loose. I'm glad he is reassembling the unit, that way I know it was done right!

Nice! Sounds like you dodged a bullet there!

Did you ask him what kind of beer he drinks? This guy is worthy.

Cool.

If the guy won't take cash payment, find some other way to compensate him. A lot of older people just want some human interaction, so maybe take over a sub and have lunch with him. Anything to show your appreciation.

Yup, blessing in disguise for my rampant stupidity!

Seriously. Next time I head down to St. George I'm bringing him a ton of bread and some quality beer.

Maybe he prefers Utah beer...obviously not the 3%abv crap you find in the grocery stores here in this blessed state.:facepalm:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1397752295

How about a ride in the country's finest NA? I let my aunt's new husband drive the Silver car (he's in his 90s). He's still talking about that.

I really love finding these kinds of guys that have these skills and tools, its seriously becoming a lost art. I feel like a lot of these skills are dieing out in what is becoming a more and more disposable society where "No User Serviceable Parts Inside" stickers dominate and the threat of litigation prevents people from exploring how things work

</rant>

Nice job on the LED's. I did something similar to the gauge cluster on my '74 pickup. Now I can finally see how fast I'm going in the dark :rofl:

Well looks like the silver lining has a corroded core...

Just got a call back and said once he started to tear into it he noticed it had been rebuilt once before, and not very well. He said after rebuilding it, and testing it on his bench, the regulator and rectifier are shot.

He asked how the hell was I even driving with this, since it was barely producing any charge at all, and that is after almost completely rebuilding it as well.

Sigh....well looks like a new core in needed after all! Luckily he said he won't charge me, but I offered to bring him some bread for recompense.

Normally I'd be suspicious that he caused the damage, but the shop owner who recommended him is not one to associate or do business with people who do poor work. Who knows if I damaged it when I removed it from the housing or not. I'm not going to point fingers, just fix the underlying problem and move on with my life.

This sounds like act of gratitude from the early-middle-ages.. I like it.:rolleyes:

He wouldn't take my money!

When cutting my re-route chevy hose i used a sink pipe. It was very difficult to get it to fit in the hose but with some strength and a little lube it is snuggly in place. Looks purdy too. It's no custom curly fitting and it's diameter is a little too big but I was having difficulty finding anything I liked in the right size. Also it's brass so no rusty poo poo.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1397760692

Am I the only one that keeps their visor anymore? lol When the top is down and I dont have a hat it works great at blocking the sun from burning my head/face.

Mine are still there, mostly because I'm short and they don't bother me that much. Taking then out without plugging the holes would drive me crazy, though.

First 24hr period without a jeffbucc post? Anyone call emrg3ncy response?

He's probably on a sleeping binge...

I still don't understand why you went through all this effort over a second hand alternator. Is it just because you had the housing powdercoated or whatever?

Imo, just buy a new OEM one, or a just a used OEM one and clean it up. Used ones (that work) can be had on this forum for like $30-45. Then just wire wheel the shit out of it until it looks nice, spray rattlecan clear over it, and it should look pretty damn nice.

:2cents:

I'm only 5' 11", but for some reason they were always in my line of sight. I honestly always forget to use them unless I happen to be driving right as the sun is setting, which I usually try to avoid due to my eyes being sensitive to light after I had Lasik done.
A combination of several long naps, taxes, new employees, and bills made me take a little hiatus!:crx:

At the time I didn't know the alternator was already rebuilt, so I saw no point in replacing it with a new one. I thought it was worth the shot of rebuilding it before ponying up a lot more money on a newer unit.

I'm currently waiting on a new alternator to ship to the shop, hopefully next Monday it will come in.

===

Trying to finish up the rear mud flaps and finish little bits and bobs until the alternator gets here. This took a long time to get right.

After I cut it I had to find some way to pull the flap up to the body otherwise there would be a 1/2" gap between the top of the curve and the bumper. So I took a heat gun to it and slowly applied heat until it was pliable enough to bend into place, and hold it in place till it cooled enough to retain its shape. Then, I put a few skims of bondo on some of the deeper scratches, sanded out the smaller bumps, and painted it with this awesome awesome rubber bumper paint. Much more durable than just paint, it is very flexible so it won't chip, AND best of all, no plastic adhesion promoter needed.

I have only done one side because I want to make sure I'm happy with the result before I put that much effort into the other side. Bondo, as some may know, takes a long time to sand if you want it to look nice.

Going to let it cure in the sun for a couple hours before I try mounting it up. Going to use a little 3M trim double sided tape to make sure it stays flush with the bumper.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1397928464

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1397928464

:rofl:Also I made a duck shadow with the first picture!

:bowrofl:

It's a sign from the gods that you should replace your MS with a dual powercard setup.