Well one of my worst fears just happened... Advice?
 

Sorry for the rant... Well, so I bought a 94 miata back in August. When I got it, I took a good look over everything and the car looked great. New top, no rust, everything ran smooth.

So I buy it, bring it home, and start working on it and putting parts on. After a couple weeks, I notice a very small oil leak (a couple drips when sitting overnight). So I ask the PO, she says the "oil pan was just re sealed". Oook... I take a look around and there is RTV all around the pan the the bolts weren't that tight. I tighten it up and still leaks... hmm. I look around more and see that the bottom alternator bolt is fully backed out! So I go to re-tighten... and the bolt is too long. As in the bolt bottoms out before it's tight. Literally by about an inch. OK, this is kinda fucked up... so now I am waiting for a new bolt.

Then the car horn falls off while driving like it wasn't tight. Then all the rad fan bolts start falling out because they aren't tight, including other misc. bolts up front. What the hell. The PO told me that the timing belt was done... did the mechanic just give up on tightening everything!?

Alright, whatever I can deal with that. So I decide to order some refresh stuff, including spark plugs. Today I want to put the new plugs in, and I get to cylinder two. While taking out the old plug it feels really tough coming out... oh lord no I know this feeling. I literally was begging that it wasn't what I thought, then I got it out and saw this: Picture

You have got to be kidding me, stripped spark plug holes are one of my worst car fears. From taking it out, the helicoil is messed up. I looked into the head and the job looks sloppy, with slight pitting on the piston from what I assume was debris. I doubt the head was pulled.

I need advice guys. I no longer trust anything on this car, it looks like the timing belt is new but who knows what was fucked up in that job. Who knows what else I'll find. Should I just sell it and swap everything to a new miata? What else should I look at while I am at it?

UGH :crx:

Yuck.

Speaking as to the head specifically, I've had a great experience w/ Cylinder Heads International:

MAZDA MIATA 1.8 LITER DUAL CAM REBUILT CYLINDER HEAD

Fully assembled, shipped to you for tree-fiddy. Just send back your core within 30 days.

It's a really easy job. I'm sure you could spend a lot less and get a decent replacement head as a non-remanufatured used unit.

Wow, really not a bad deal. Plus then I would have fresh valve seals and hydraulic lifters. I only have a carport with no power, but a head should be do-able. Thanks for the link!

No problem, good luck on whatever route you decide to take!

I forgot to mention, if you prefer eBay or want to review their feedback, they sell there as "headsonly".