Greetings, all!

I've been a "lurker" here for what's now approaching a decade, but perhaps it's time to become more conspicuous.

My first Miata (a 1991) came into my ownership in 2010. I toyed with ideas on forced-induction, or even a V8 swap, but instead drove it in stock condition, flogging it as a commuter-car and as my conveyance on long-distance business trips. Midwestern salt took its toll, and ~110K miles later, when a minor engine malady became oppressive, I parked the car permanently. Not long ago, I bought another 1991 - this one at least nominally "rust free", with the intention of doing a 1.8 swap and eventually forced induction. The body, interior and overall appurtenances are in fine shape, but the original 1.6 had a seized crank. Removing the head revealed an odd collection of debris and rust in the two middle cylinders. Some of the valves were so rusted that they remain partially open even with the cams removed. My intent is to tinker minimally with this engine, hopefully getting it running (albeit with expectations of poor performance), just to try out the car... while waiting for a suitable 1994-1997 junker that could be coaxed into donating its 1.8.

In the mean time, I've been following the various FAQs and guides available on this site, and elsewhere. Unfortunately, so many of the links have broken over the years. Sites that I remember visiting back in 2009 have changed considerably, in some cases losing their hosting-service and getting shut down. Oh well... such is the nature of research.

Seeing that there are several Ohio members, along the Cincinnati-Columbus axis, it would perhaps be of interest to organize a get-together at some point....

 

Welcome to the site. Best of luck getting the shitbox 1.6 working. There are plenty of us, myself included who have torn out a 1.6 and replaced with a turbo 1.8. Plenty of build threads to pick from and get good information.

 

Sup, Holmes? Things keep changing around here. It's so much easier to turbo reliably now than ten years ago and there are so many more reasons to scrap the 1.6.

 

Update: the ex-seized-crank 1.6 has come to life, albeit a miserable and limited life. Posterior-dyno reports about 50 hp. The car's driving dynamics are quite good, in brief rural-neighborhood jaunts. But the engine, though running, is definitely more of an educational exercise than basis for going forward. Thus in recent weeks/months I've been on the lookout for a running 1.8. As happens when for example looking for a Phillips screwdriver in a toolbox drawer, and finding all of the screwdrivers to be flat-end, so too now: no suitable engines have made themselves available, whereas a year ago, when I had no pressing need to look, apparent candidates were everywhere.

 

Yo Holmes.

Have you stumbled upon Ohio Miata Owners on facebook yet?

There is an all miata trackday at Gingerman in Michigan this weekend, and a bunch of OMO folks(me included) going to Mid Ohio on Monday with AutoInterests.

 

Unfortunately, I'm not really a facebook person, but I was apprised of Ohio Miata Owners by another semi-local fellow on another Miata forum. He apparently found a good deal on a 1.8 via OMO.

At some point I'm hoping to follow your OH to CA journey. Epic journalizing of your racing exploits, BTW!!!

 

It occurred to me, that I overlooked the most important part (see below):