Hello all,

I have a 1996 turbo Miata that has an oil pump "failure". I think its the relief valve, but its indifferent, it has to be replaced anyway.

In the course of this teardown...I was going to replace the "HLA's from hell" because they were very noisy. Well, long story short, I dont see the typical hydraulic lifter in there. Can someone tell me if this is just a Miata thing, or if these are something special?

(also, I've searched...but is there a good write up to setting the timing if you DIDNT make marks prior to the teardown? I'm replacing the timing belt, tensioner and pulley, water pump and the oil pump.)












Thanks!

 

If you have 16 of them, they are your HLA's.

You don't need marks. Get the write-up at M.Net

 

Those arent a solid upgrade? Look nothing like the HLA's Ive seen. And why only 8?

 

I have 16 of them. ;-)

All of the hydro lifters I have ever seen were a semi-sealed container with an o-ring, etc. They were springy and yielded to pressure. There are no 'moving' parts on these. Just the base (that contacts the valve stem directly, and the disk that appears to float on a layer of oil pressure fed from the side.

Thanks for the M.net suggestion.

-Scott

 

I was thinking they were solid, since as far as I know, all Miata HLA's are designed the same, with a large outer, and a small inner piece, filled with a tiny spring and check ball. That looks like a shimmed solid lifter. Maybe someone went aftermarket upgrade, or maybe they are OEM NB parts, I havent dealt with them before.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/rdepoo/Hla.JPG

Like those ^

Just as a heads up, if you want to go HLA, I have a full set of 100k mile pieces I can sell you. Very minimal wear. Actually, wanna trade?

 

that's a solid lifter. Have fun shimming them, its a true joy.

 

Thanks for the posts guys...

Were would I go about getting (or putting) shims on those? They arent like standard shim under bucket style I'm used to. Do I replace the top disk with a different thickness or something?

I'm obviously not the original owner of this car, and I dont have contact with the person who did the head. So... I'm sorry for all the dumb questions.

If this is a kit...does anyone know who makes it?

Thanks,
Scott

 

Does the rear of the cylinder head read "BP4W" by chance? Might be a 99' head. Yeah, you measure the clearances with the head assembled, then remove the shims and figure out what shims you need to get the clearances right. Rearange some shims to get it right, then order the ones you need from Mazda for $$$. Or grind the old ones with a surface grinder.

Also, if you were an expert engine builder you could just grind the seat or valve stem to set the height without messing with new shims.

 

Those are "shim-over bucket" AKA solid lifters. They come in the 1999 and up Miatas and a few other Mazdas. They are adjusted by selecting different size "shims". They are not HLAs.

Adjustment should be done with the correct shim. Grinding down valve stems and such for setting the cold lash is not the correct procedure. If a shop told me they were going to do that I would run the other way...fast!


Tony

 

Very good infos...

Thanks a million for the posts guys. I'll cross the shimming bridge when I put the engine back together. I am doing the "drop the crossmember" version of removing the oil pan, so I'll be at it for the rest of the weekend.

I really appreciate it.

-Scott

 

are there any pics of a solid and a HLA SIDE BY SIDE? i pulled some nice clean shiny lifterw from a bp and i know it was suppose to have hlas but it looks like the one pictured above i did not see moving parts ill have too look a again, as for the shims are they sold indiidually, i think im going to just pay some one to build my head any volunters??