I swear I used a torque wrench putting a 94 motor into my 97 miata.

Couldn't find an oil leak... OMG found it! Anybody know how this happened? starting to think I should drop yet another newer motor in...

 

You did use the wrong bolt and nut, that's fairly obvious.

That hole isn't supposed to be threaded? If I am going crazy and it's supposed to be a bolt and nut, it's a flanged nut, which would give at least help distribute the force.

 

It is not supposed to be threaded, the other side is. It was a bolt and nut for sure, I replaced it with grade 10.9 bolts from the hardware store because the 17 year old bolt that was there was gunked and deformed.

I don't think what I pulled off had a flange nut, but who knows what the previous owner did.

I've had issues with keeping the drain plug from leaking, as well. I torqued it down yesterday, and today it was dripping and finger tight! Hence considering a new pan at the very least...

So you think if I did replace the pan, flange nut & bolt and I should be good?

Edit: Derp, I'm such a noob, it was definitely flange and I didn't even think about it. Thanks.

 

No, I just checked my oil pan in the garage and all four transmission mounts are supposed to be threaded. Apparently your car's previous owner stripped the threads. Adding the nut on an uneven surface doomed your pan.

Torque specs are meant to stretch a bolt to an optimum spot before it's yeild point. At this point it acts like a spring, keeping itself tight. You can't just go buy a random nut and bolt and expect the same torque to work. Same goes for hardness, the highest hardness bolts aren't always the right ones to buy.

 

Well that explains the difference between my car and the clutch tutorial on m.net.

Anyone know of a good place to find used engines? I got this one from somebody recommended by the SCCA a bit north of here, and I've had a whole slew of issues.

I'd like to get something with 50k or less, even if it means going to an 05 and VVT.

 

The VVT swap is not plug and play.

 

I'm still trying to figure out how you put a wrench on that nut with the engine assembled.

 

Who said it was plug and play? I've been talking to Reverant about an MS3 for it.

On a related note, so I need a 99-00 fuel rail according to what i've read (for an 01-05 motor), and I think the 01-05 intake.

Does anyone know which FPR I need? I read 99-00 and also 90-93.

 

90-93

 

Thanks!

 

Please rename forum to MiataVVT.net, thanks.

 

I've got a 1.8 oil pan for sale if you need one. PM in you're interested.

 

I appreciate it Jason, I already grabbed one from a junkyard.