N0oB repairing/Building a 1.6
 

Well i bought myself a 1990's miata for $800 and it smokes white smoke which tells me that the head gasket is cooked now im not sure if the head its self warped but ill know soon enough fyi im not a mechanic but i do know a few coworkers that are on the side... to the point now well i told a friend about the miata and he said if the heads are warp even minor i should have the head and why not valves taken to the machine shop i said hmm sure but now im thinking since its ganna be there cant they also bore or polish it or something and if the did would i need to buy larger valves or pistons or anything hopefully not for now its a low budget build but i have future plans or dropping a turbo and if possible id like to pre-prep it for that so it would be less work for the future im trying to do it hands on so i learn but will be willing to take it to the pros so its not ruined any suggestions or thoughts

one sentence with an ellipsis

fragment of sentence

def a good read
would read again

^that

thanks for you input definitely valued also another piece of info is im planning on using it daily and the odometer reads 244,642mi

White smoke is a common sign of a bad HG.

What head gasket will you use when the head goes back on?
MLS? or a composite?
The surface finish of the head is important when it come to gasket sealing.

Since you want to go to a turbo set up down the road. Read up on the others builds for the level you want.

Porting and polishing can add alot to a head rebuild price, along with the price oversized valves and springs. Getting you in the relam of $1000 and more.

Due to what I am guessing, that your skill set is limited along with your knowlage. Start small and work up.

A good head gasket and a set of ARP head studs should get you aboul ready for a small boost set up.

Some reading for you....

https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/how-check-head-warp-64641/#post855636

https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/how-aluminum-head-pressure-tested-cracks-64549/

https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/how-test-valve-springs-64474/

https://www.miataturbo.net/engine-performance-56/why-not-let-your-head-belt-surfaced-64394/


These threads will help you understand what to ask for and look for in a machine shop.

Grazie bogussvo will do

Also i was planning on using the head gasket set provided by advance auto parts its the Felpro set PN# HS 9691 PT

so i thought id show a few pictures of the top end of the 1.6 and show ppl how it should not look and what kind of progress this :noob: has made

Also i have a question what is that crust on the valves???

here is a look at the block itself and now im thinking i should just take that to the machine shop also so they can take care of it

Ithinkyoushoulddoalltheworkyourselfandstopbeingava gandgrowsomeballsandmaketheblockworkbyyourselftheh eadneedstobecleanedupheadowrkisnottoocheapsoyoumig htwanttothinkifyouwanttobuildthisblockorgetabigger oneofcoursethisblockwouldbecheaperbutitsstilla1.6s oyougottafigureoutifyouwanttostickwithitormakethel eaptothebiggerblock.

^^
what he said.

I swapped a 1.6 for another 1.6 and now I have a bad ring or something going on in my 4th cylinder. I wish I would have changed to the 1.8 the first time around. If you search the forum regarding rebuilding or replacing you'll find it's cheaper to put a used good condition motor in. If your power goals are modest it's much cheaper replacing. You will also read "there is no replacement for displacement" about a thousand times.

I say this because factor rebuild cost = $$$
If you turbo you still need a new rear end, mani, dp, exhaust, clutch, suspension. ic, etc... you may want to save that rebuild for later.....

^^ 1.8 swap

sr20swapisbetter

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1333354432

Try using some of the yellow ones.

Dann

i want to keep the 1.6 and rebuild the engine the reason is id like to keep it original and i dont trust used motors as much since idk what else maybe wrong with them im turning away from turbo this and forged that for now because for the time being id like to keep it as a reliable DD and maybe in the future buy something else i have a guy that i work with thats doing most the disassemble/reassemble/checking stuff and im just there passing tools asking questions and doing the easy stuff hes and older red neck guy but after seeing the few ponys mud trucks and bikes hes got ill trust him on this little 1.6 so yeah seeing as i have "free labor" (beer is his fee) and the engine is already apart i dont see why it would be more cost effective to do a swap all im paying for here is parts labor aka beer and machine shop costs all in all i expect after oil pump alternator and overall tune up this all costing me around 500-900 instead of paying 900 motor from who knows were and labor from a shop that ganna be 70/hr or more and after i put it all in who knows whats wrong with that motor if anything costing 1500 or more all in all i think rebuild would be the best choice

the block and cylinder head are back from the shop and i cleaned the pistons with mopar cc since from what ive read give the best results and do only thing im worried about is some rub marks on side of pistons even the barrings are clean for 277k miles this thing is legit mazda build an excellent engine well after i get the last few minor parts and gaskets w/o oil gas antifreeze ect its looking like $580 for the rebuild after all this ether cooling or suspension will be next... pictures coming soon

You could have the head cleaned and a simple work over. New oil guide seals, get the valves re cut and such. Shouldn't cost much. Maybe around $400-$500 from a reputable shop.

No issues using a FelPro gasket. However if you plan to go boost in the future, you could go with an MLS from Cometic. If you do, let the machine shop know so they can prep the head properly for a metal head gasket.

After reading the first post I was curious what "ganna" meant. But google helped clear it up.
I have no idea what a Hungarian village has to do with your engine problems though.

Point is, if you take the time to use some punctuation and check your spelling you will get far more helpful responses. Don't be stubborn, just do it.

Well I was going to post but every time I try to read his posts I pass out.