They are in a plastic bag someplace stupid in my garage, I just couldn't find them when I needed them. I've actually got a ton of plastic storage bins and drawer things, but these escaped my meager organisational efforts.

I picked up the block to move it and I think I may have dragged my belt buckle across the deck while transferring it from one workbench to another. If I scratched the deck I swear to god there is going to be an 18psi style partout.

 

Don't do it kimber!

 

often imitated, never duplicated

 

Block is fine, no part out today.


O, hello dare


Mmm, bottom!

Jesus christ there are a lot of little gaskets and things that go into putting an engine together.



Also ordered: fancy impeller gates water pump, new blue timing belt and big tube of Permatex ultrablack.

SwainTech FINALLY called me back this morning and my manifold is done and I have a tracking number. So the 2 weeks I was quoted back in December was actually closer 6 weeks, not including shipping. Ungh.

I understand lead times and how they can get screwed up because I used to work in custom manufacturing and short run production. Generally if you actively communicate with your customers and let them know WTF is going on as issues crop up they are far more understanding of delays. I'm not actually pissed that it took so long, I'm pissed they never communicated anything.

Anyway, I need to figure out what color to paint the block. Black is usually ends up being "cleanest" because you don't see the leaks, but then you never see the leaks. Silver actually looks decent but I'm open to suggestions.

No, I'm not painting it pink.

 

Copper. Gunmetal Gray. Anthracite. Light Blue. Purple. Teal...

Only take the first three suggestions seriously.

 

Haha, I have enough teal and blue in my life. I pretty much bleed Ford Blue when I'm not dicking around with the Mazda, and I am of course I enjoy my SJ Sharks...



Gunmetal/Dark Grey/Anthracite doe...

 

But, but...blue is so purty

 

I've got nothing against blue, or any of the above mentioned colors, it's just that I doubt he has any blue elements on his car, so it would look a little out of place. Maybe if he went all elaborate with it, and painted the valve cover, and maybe got some dress up washer/bolts in blue, as well... Still not really my style.

I have to do my timing belt/water pump and all of that stuff soon, and my valve cover looks like ***. I've been debating whether to send it off to be powder coated, but I don't know what color to get. My car is green, and I have anthracite wheels and headlight bezels, so I may do that. But something is nagging at me to get something more wild.

 

I am pretty disappointed you didn't just paint it mt.net pink and then wait to post a picture with the efr.

 

I don't think VHT offers pink.

 

...

I'll buy it if you'll do it.

 

HAhahahaahHAh! I should have checked before I made that statement.

The GM Satin Black and Nu-Cast Iron don't look terrible. None of the greys are dark enough for me.

 

I would buy a can too.

 

If you get one of those pressurized dispensers of Permatex Gray or Black, it sure makes life easier. Really helps laying down a nice bead for oil pan sealing. That's about the only place you use it (or should use it) on a Miata engine. And, OEM gaskets . . . nothing else even comes close . . . worth the price delta. Hopefully you're a Mazdaspeed member?

 

Paint the block white. It makes spotting leaks easy.

 

yes, so it turns a nasty **** color in a few months and you can hate it like soviet

 

I got the regular squeezie tube, because I hate my life. I had considered The Right Stuff as Gesso and I have had good luck with it, but I didn't feel like buying a giant tube AND a caulking gun. The pressurized cans were also $20+ and I was feeling the sting at that point. I've never had a problem with UltraBlack in the past so I went for it again.

Rear main carrier to block, oil pump to block, front and rear oil pan end gaskets, valve cover gasket corners... I'm sure I'm forgetting some as well. Also, I've been using this stuff on everything (except fuel) for years. It holds up great to oil and coolant exposure, never had a problem.

Yes, all OEM gaskets from Rosenthal except the water pump. Its a Gates pump and it includes the gaskets. It was like $26 for the 3 OEM water pump gaskets or $41 for the new Gates pump with gaskets. I've used Gates stuff for years and I trust the gaskets.
lolnope. I really should sign up but I don't fall into any of the "approved categories" anymore.

Yeah, 18 covered that one. Soviets block is now gross and I'd like to avoid that if possible.

 

I vote monster green on the block with a flat brim hat to match.

Btw I know I dropped the ball with the mixing manifold and heater line. I should be able to get that packaged this weekend and ship it next week.

 

I always considered the above part of the "oil pan" work since you do it all at the same time.

I've stopped using RTV on my valve cover gasket. Makes pulling the valve cover for inspection/whatever just a bit easier. Haven't had any oil leak issues as a result (OEM valve cover gasket) -- nice bit of time-saving.

 

No worries, manifold isn't getting here until next week sometime but thanks for thinkin' of me. Like I said, I'm not in a mad rush.
Ok, I see what you are saying here, I agree

I've never had a problem with the OEM recommended dabs of sealer in the little corners on the valve cover, then again I've not pulled a cover nearly as many times as you have. Sorry man