Changing some stuff 2004 MSM
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...42d49ce53c.jpg

I pulled the head from my engine on my 2004 MSM.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ec849ef225.jpg
I tagged the wires and other concections. I didn't want to lose track for the reassembly.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8e3abb4711.jpg
I found the source of the problem in cylinder #2.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d0770629ef.jpg
I pulled the engine.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8d4e04dd0d.jpg
You may have already notice the hole in the block. I wasn't sure what to do next. I did know the engine needed to come out.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...c5afc70f1b.jpg
I tagged most everything.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...03a1cfa508.jpg
I thought I would tighten up some of the spot welds in engine bay.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e0cd054088.jpg
This is slow going. There's a lot of seem sealer that has to be removed to get at the metal.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f15dd0c42f.jpg
There was hardly any room for the exhaust to exit the engine bay and head toward the transmission tunnel. Everything is so tight. I wanted to have more room. I got an aftermarket subframe and got it powdercoated.

I still was looking for Miata engine that would solve my problem. I broke a factory connecting rod. The rest of the engine internals were junk. I started to add up the price to get back to where I began.I checked for a good engine builder in my area. I didn't like what I got for answers and dollar signs.

I also needed to do something about a transmission. The 3rd gear synchros were very tired. I sold the transmission to an autocross friend.

Changing some stuff 2004 MSM
 

I have the differential in place. I will need to set the front mount at 3 degrees and tack it into place.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ef037c1cea.jpg

What is the diff? What are you trying to accomplish? What are your goals / plans for the car?

This is a Ford 8.8 diff. I broke my 1.8 MSM connecting rod. I am planning to put in a 5.3.

Here's a photo of part the diff brace.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...1b2adac31c.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...2e387e4871.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...8a2845ef16.jpg
Cuts to allow for the V8 Bellhousing.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0f8fd8c54a.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e54001940e.jpg
Adding metal braces behind where the originals were located.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...bc3cb84e38.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...e4934e3224.jpg
The Mast oil pan is 5 3/4 deep. I don't want it hanging below the frame.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...d74968c677.jpg
Trial fitting the engine. The oil pan is too low.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...134ebf1d6c.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...41c812fb0d.jpg
The photo very blurry. This plus the kerfs of the two cuts equals one inch.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...9300b3e8c4.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...61eee65a3a.jpg
The cuts are finished. The welding is next.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7938813067.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0ba241a159.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...24c60c04a2.jpg
The inside is also welded.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...807c19185e.jpg

After the cuts and welding were completed.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0d39b286fa.jpg
This is a 5.3 aluminum V8 before the rebuild.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4819f9d5fd.jpg
This is the 5.3 after the rebuild.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ffd7c6e136.jpg
Headers and V-Band clamps before the weld.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...010a78f8e.jpeg
V-Band clamps being welded.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...21412ab29f.jpg
All the braces removed from the trans tunnel.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f91263f61a.jpg
First, widening the tunnel for the bellhousing and then closing it back in a little for the accelerator to clear, lens cap for clearance from the gas pedal to the tunnel.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...f23fbdde96.jpg
There were a surprising amount of small adjustment to be made with the tunnel so, I just ended up adding metal where is needed to go and then I reattached the tunnel braces.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...2ce994384e.jpg
Getting the bellhousing to tunnel measurements. The Quicktime spun housing must have been different than the factory GM aluminum measurements, because the width was less than Flyin Miata directions listed. After following their recommendation, I had to narrow the opening slightly. Als, if I had known, I would have given myself slightly more height to allow for room for driveshaft angularity later.