Leftover Engine Components, What do you do?
 

I was just curious what you guys do with leftover engine components. I built my engine last winter and have a box of leftovers that are going to stick around forever if I don't deal with them.

I'm talking about things like the water neck, old head/main bolts, oil squirters, EGR components, etc... These were all either replaced or deleted during my engine build.

I figure I could try selling them, toss them, or hold onto them for when I unbuild the engine (IE Never). Feels like a waste to throw them away but for the majority of these things I'm not sure the hassle is worth the payout.

Just curious to see what others do.

I would keep any aluminum parts that are in good cond. and the oil squirters.

I assume you would toss things like old pistons, rods, crank pulley, etc... then?

I don't figure I'm going to reuse stock rods ever and the pistons are pitted, so unless I turn them into an art project I imagine they'll sit forever.

Factory rods are a good forged design that are adequate for most NA apps running less than 7krpm. The issue is that many replace them for boosted applications, so the availability is great. The main issue is there not worth rebuilding because it costs 1/2-2/3 of aftermarket rods. If they're in good shape can be run without rework I would keep them. I had a perfect set with 19kmi and they sold right away. Used pistons toss unless they are very low use, under 30-40kmi. Seal carrier's, valve covers, water stuff etc in good shape I would keep.

I have boxes full of miscellaneous "stuff" that I have collected over the past 25 years of Miata-life. Nut, bolts, old pistons, bent rods, an engine block, several cranks, even some old seats - none of which I will probably ever re-use. Sell them? Who would want them?! Throw them away? NEVER!!

Remember the Dad's Motto; You never know when that might come in handy.

I'm continually surprised about some of the stuff folks on the internet are looking for. I sold some of the stock parts from my built BP. Wasn't too hard to find a buyer for the stock pistons/rods and damper. The other stuff (water neck, EGR valve etc) is still sitting under my workbench just like yours. There seems to be a pretty good market for a lot of that stuff around here, it's just not high enough on my priority list to take pics and try to get rid of it all yet, but I'm sure a lot of it would sell on FaceBook marketplace.

Random things I've sold on marketplace this week: My NA's EGR vacuum solenoid and evap canister mounting bracket, IAC valve electrical connector and original fuel injector connectors, my NC's washer fluid pump and bottle cap (but not the bottle itself), NC steering wheel, airbag, and clockspring. And tonight I've got a guy coming to grab my BP short block and heater hoses.

Long story short, there might not be a buyer for everything, but there seems to be a buyer for quite a bit of it lol.

I hoard all that shit man. But I'm a hoarder, so yeah, there's that.

Things like stock pistons, etc. I've kept. Shit, the pistons in my current track motor are 140k mile oem pistons that I cleaned up and re-used with forged rods. Motor runs great and makes 300+. I have 2 miata's though so I just collect shit to keep them running indefinitely.

I try not to hoard things, but I also have trouble throwing things away. Maybe I just need to sell stuff like the oil squirters (like $50 a set on ebay!) that has some value and know that if I need to buy them back in the future I'll basically break even.

I'm probably going to be moving into a new place within the next 6 months, so downsizing is on my mind.

My pistons were pretty pitted, so I don't think I'd reuse them. I was just curious to hear other's opinions about it. Sounds like you guys are going to help me justify lugging this stuff around for the next couple decades :bigtu:

If you eliminated them on your build, keep them.

Reason being that I might want to put them back if/when I open the engine back up?

Yes, the oil squirter’s were one of the advancements and high points of this engine series. They are very desirable. I do not know of any modern FI engine that does not use them.

I originally planned to leave them in, but the forged Flyin Miata pistons contacted them so I was forced to remove them. Flyin Miata say that their pistons are designed to run without them FWIW.

It is easy to mod the pistons with a carbide burr for the needed clearance. Another reason that I don’t like the wiseco pistons. My main issue with the FM offering is they coat the crowns without deburring the valve reliefs and sharp edges.

Good to know. I didn't notice anything on the pistons I was using, but I also didn't look super closely and it was my first time.