^ agreed. You should have no sealing problems if done right, though I've never used a ball hone. I've done several rebuilds on bps that were oem size bearings, pistons and rings only and after 500 km or so break in they started in 1/2 a crank, made great power and didn't burn anything.

Sounds like you need valves for the head though.

Just read the whole thing. Interestingly enough thanks for all the alternatives to the Lsx, it's always good to know.

I have one question for elesjuan: could you elaborate on "making gaskets out of boxes"?

Spank you :)

Thanks for the input, we'll see what can be accomplished tonight.

Old trick I learned a long time ago when you're in a pinch and need a gasket that isn't available the night before a race, trace out your old gasket or part onto a 24 pack soda box and cut it out. Obviously can't be done for like a head or exhaust gasket, but intake manifold, water neck, etc. I've never tried it without using a sealant also, though.


Digging through some boxes of miata junk that I discovered again turned up a nearly complete gasket set, so that won't be needed for this project. Hopefully this thing will run well enough to get me by until next winter or so..

My dad once used Indian head Shellac and a brown paper bag for a water pump gasket. Old Studebaker Lark, no one had them in stock (this was pre-internet days) and he had to drive the car to work the next day.

Held up just fine for many years.

Between work, starting my move, and my gun obsession it appears I haven't had any time to work on this until now. Finally spent the 25 minutes it required to hone the remaining 3 cylinders in the block and made a huge mess in the process. That damn ball hone slings oil places I didn't imagine possible!!


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-a...0/IMG_8103.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A...0/IMG_8104.jpg

Jesus, only took me a year to ball hone 4 cylinders? Fail. :facepalm:
Going to order a new Head Gasket, Main Bearings, Rod bearings, Piston Rings, and exhaust gasket tomorrow. Hopefully the valves on my cylinder head aren't completely hosed and doesn't leak like the Exxon Valdez. Once I get the long block assembled, if it's in good enough condition I'm gonna go ahead and get the thing back in the car and running. If that all goes well, I'll pull the trigger and order some silicone FM boost pipes and finish off my manifold/downpipe.

Believe I've changed my mind about doing any kind of swap on this car, or a miata in general now that I've decided on a build for my Jeep. If I can get around 200rwhp in the Miata and be fairly reliable I'll just force myself to be satisfied with it.

:giggle: Thanks for the support guize..