91 Monster Miata - 302 carb - t5or6
#176
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
It really is good to be back at it. I had to move my shop 2 hours to cornelius, nc, then I tore down and fixed a 4 wheeler for my brother, then I finally got my family jeep (46 ******) so my dad came down and we spent a week pulling the engine and tearing it down. Yesterday I finished the tear down and cleaned up to get back on this. I'm ready to get back at it full force for sure.
#178
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
That uhaul stunt will cost me a little extra time doing body work (because my cheap attempt at a cart collapsed and the rockers hit the side rails and caused a few dents). But over all, it wasn't bad. I'll be at the shop tomorrow working more on that corner.
#180
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
OK, I'm a little behind on updates. So let's get caught up.
A week or so ago, I went back to work on the rear corner. It took me a couple hours of trimming and grinding to get it to fit the way I wanted. I took the time to install the rear finish panel, trunk lid and tail lights. It was nice to have the tail light installed because with it bolted in, it actually held the new panel in position. Here it is all put together (don't mind the trunk lid, it wasn't heavy enough on its own to stay shut).
In the picture above .... see the box of bolts on the floor? We'll get back to that. Once I was comfortable that I had it in the right spot, time to tack it in.
Then I took all the "mock up" pieces off and did some quick grinding and threw some primer on it. (I'm not too worried about how clean it is at this point because most of the seam will be covered by the fender flare)
That was all for that day. Then last weekend I figured it was time to fix a mistake I made a long time ago. My box of bolts. I did not take the time to bag and tag all the bolts I took off the car during disassembly. So I had a big box of greasy bolts, nuts and washers of all sizes. So first to clean them. I took about 3 hours of my time to go through and scrub the bolts in my parts cleaner and then in batches, put them in my homemade hot box to remove all moisture before putting them in the clean pile. Here is the resulting clean pile.
Last night, I went and took the time to sort the pile into bolt sizes and types ready for installation. Here they are cleaned and sorted.
Now that all that was done, time to start on the body kit. Because I would like it to be painted and ready for reassembly. So, it needs fitted. So i put the driver door back on so I can fit the front driver fender (no that is not rust on the bottom of the door, just dirt).
Went to fit the nose, but the windshield was in the way.
Just kidding. I was trying to see if I could put it on, but before I can do that, I need to put the passenger door on and get the other fender in place. But was running out of time for the day and wanted to mess with the rear flare so I could get a look at what it will end up looking like.
So I mocked the rear flare into place and taped it temporarily. Here are some pics of what the curves will look like.
I wanted to mock up the rear wing that comes in the kit but discovered a problem. The trunk lid that I got was labeled as a Stock Miata Replacment. But as you can see, it has an integrated spoiler.
Since that is there, the wing will not fit. So now I have to decide whether to just go without the bigger wing or have it modified to fit this trunk lid. Jury is still out on that one.
I will follow this with another post to bring my hour calculations to date.
A week or so ago, I went back to work on the rear corner. It took me a couple hours of trimming and grinding to get it to fit the way I wanted. I took the time to install the rear finish panel, trunk lid and tail lights. It was nice to have the tail light installed because with it bolted in, it actually held the new panel in position. Here it is all put together (don't mind the trunk lid, it wasn't heavy enough on its own to stay shut).
In the picture above .... see the box of bolts on the floor? We'll get back to that. Once I was comfortable that I had it in the right spot, time to tack it in.
Then I took all the "mock up" pieces off and did some quick grinding and threw some primer on it. (I'm not too worried about how clean it is at this point because most of the seam will be covered by the fender flare)
That was all for that day. Then last weekend I figured it was time to fix a mistake I made a long time ago. My box of bolts. I did not take the time to bag and tag all the bolts I took off the car during disassembly. So I had a big box of greasy bolts, nuts and washers of all sizes. So first to clean them. I took about 3 hours of my time to go through and scrub the bolts in my parts cleaner and then in batches, put them in my homemade hot box to remove all moisture before putting them in the clean pile. Here is the resulting clean pile.
Last night, I went and took the time to sort the pile into bolt sizes and types ready for installation. Here they are cleaned and sorted.
Now that all that was done, time to start on the body kit. Because I would like it to be painted and ready for reassembly. So, it needs fitted. So i put the driver door back on so I can fit the front driver fender (no that is not rust on the bottom of the door, just dirt).
Went to fit the nose, but the windshield was in the way.
Just kidding. I was trying to see if I could put it on, but before I can do that, I need to put the passenger door on and get the other fender in place. But was running out of time for the day and wanted to mess with the rear flare so I could get a look at what it will end up looking like.
So I mocked the rear flare into place and taped it temporarily. Here are some pics of what the curves will look like.
I wanted to mock up the rear wing that comes in the kit but discovered a problem. The trunk lid that I got was labeled as a Stock Miata Replacment. But as you can see, it has an integrated spoiler.
Since that is there, the wing will not fit. So now I have to decide whether to just go without the bigger wing or have it modified to fit this trunk lid. Jury is still out on that one.
I will follow this with another post to bring my hour calculations to date.
Last edited by WolfGT; 11-30-2017 at 12:32 PM.
#181
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
To catch up my calculations....
Add another 9 hours of my time to the clock.
My Time: 117.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
Add another 9 hours of my time to the clock.
My Time: 117.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
#182
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
#184
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
Went out there for an hour yesterday just to kill time. Took the gauge cluster apart in preparation of rebuilding it later. Mainly because the idiot that put it together before .... well, was an idiot. Most of it was stuck together with two sided sticky tape. It basically just fell apart. Removed the LED Gauge faces and posted them for sale. I also have an aluminum gauge cluster surround that I haven't posted yet because I forgot to take a picture, let me know if you are interested.
I then took a picture of the rear flare from the bottom to show how much room it adds. I will get a better picture with a measurement before the main attachment and cutting (removal of the old fender edge) begins.
I also started to fit some of the bumper sub-structure in preparation of fitting the new bumpers. Discovered that tossed the front reinforcement bar because it was badly damaged and the rear reinforcement bar mounts are rusted badly and damaged. So I order new/used replacements.
Add another 1 hour of my time to the clock.
My Time: 118.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
I then took a picture of the rear flare from the bottom to show how much room it adds. I will get a better picture with a measurement before the main attachment and cutting (removal of the old fender edge) begins.
I also started to fit some of the bumper sub-structure in preparation of fitting the new bumpers. Discovered that tossed the front reinforcement bar because it was badly damaged and the rear reinforcement bar mounts are rusted badly and damaged. So I order new/used replacements.
Add another 1 hour of my time to the clock.
My Time: 118.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
Last edited by WolfGT; 11-30-2017 at 12:38 PM.
#185
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
Cleaned up the rear sub-frame so I could get a couple coats of gloss black on it. I'm going to start putting the big pieces on so I can clear some more floor space. Once it was clean, I setup and put 2 coats on. Left it to cure. Rearranged the shop so the miata now has center stage and I can walk all the way around it. Did this in preparation to put the passenger door back on and get the rest of the body fitted. Started media blasting the spindles so I can get them painted up. But paused in the middle because I was spending all that time cleaning the dust shield and started to wonder if the big brake kits come with larger shields and figured I should get that resolved before spending too much time.
Add another 3 hours of my time to the clock.
My Time: 121.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
Add another 3 hours of my time to the clock.
My Time: 121.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
#187
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
1946 ******. My grandpa bought it new for the farm in Ohio. Me and my dad pulled the engine a couple months ago. It has been sitting in the garage for the last 40 years or so. That is one of the projects that has slowed the progress on the miata. But the jeep is now on the back burner.
#188
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
Worked a few hours tonight. My main goal was to get the diff mounted and hopefully get the subframe hung. Didn't make it. The issue that slowed me down was mounting the Monster Miata diff bracket to the subframe. I assumed that I should use the little plates that mount over the bushing and bolt to the subframe using the three bolts. But there was no way. With all the rubber on that bracket (the stock Miata bracket), it just wasn't going to happen. So I called Martin and we talked it through and decided to remove all the rubber from the Miata bracket (plate). This is the bracket I'm talking about. Stock on the right and all the rubber removed on the left.
With that done, it torqued down nicely. Here it is installed.
This is with the Prothane bushings installed (I showed earlier in this thread the process of machining the top bushing to fit, well, "top" in this picture since the subframe is upside down). Then I pulled it off to paint it before installing for good.
I'm concerned about the pinion angle. It looks kind of extreme with the pinion angled up toward the body (when mounted). But I'm not going to mess with it until the engine/trans is installed.
Removing the rubber from that bracket took a while. It was really on there. So I'm trying a shortcut on the second one. I put it in my carb cleaner tank since it says it will dissolve rubber and plastic. We'll see, I left it soaking.
I also pulled the front subframe, cleaned it and primed it. Then started to paint it.
Also mounted the new rear bumper brackets. Had to get new/used ones because mine were trash (rusted brackets).
That's about it. Moving forward slowly. Hoping to spend an entire day on it this weekend. It's been a crazy last two weeks. I haven't been able to work on it at all. So it's time to get back at it.
Add another 4 hours to the clock
My Time: 125.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
With that done, it torqued down nicely. Here it is installed.
This is with the Prothane bushings installed (I showed earlier in this thread the process of machining the top bushing to fit, well, "top" in this picture since the subframe is upside down). Then I pulled it off to paint it before installing for good.
I'm concerned about the pinion angle. It looks kind of extreme with the pinion angled up toward the body (when mounted). But I'm not going to mess with it until the engine/trans is installed.
Removing the rubber from that bracket took a while. It was really on there. So I'm trying a shortcut on the second one. I put it in my carb cleaner tank since it says it will dissolve rubber and plastic. We'll see, I left it soaking.
I also pulled the front subframe, cleaned it and primed it. Then started to paint it.
Also mounted the new rear bumper brackets. Had to get new/used ones because mine were trash (rusted brackets).
That's about it. Moving forward slowly. Hoping to spend an entire day on it this weekend. It's been a crazy last two weeks. I haven't been able to work on it at all. So it's time to get back at it.
Add another 4 hours to the clock
My Time: 125.5 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
Last edited by WolfGT; 11-30-2017 at 12:39 PM.
#190
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
I will be posting the latest progress a little later, but I need a little advise. I am getting a new serpentine setup for the front of my 302 and it is coming with a Sanden 7176 A/C compressor. I want to mount the condenser between the radiator and the engine. Should be enough space, we will see. But that isn't the question. The stock condenser from the Miata has that big dryer attached and is also beat up a little. I am wondering if there is a problem using a universal condenser.
Like this:
Then attach an inline dryer or run lines to the dryer and mount it elsewhere. My main question is about the condenser. Would it be alright to use a universal like shown?
Like this:
Then attach an inline dryer or run lines to the dryer and mount it elsewhere. My main question is about the condenser. Would it be alright to use a universal like shown?
Last edited by WolfGT; 11-30-2017 at 12:39 PM.
#191
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
Went to the shop yesterday for an hour. Went ahead and removed the rubber from the other bracket for the rear. Then primed it. Put another coat on the front subframe.
Then went back today for most of the day. Cleaned the rear bumper reinforcement and the gas tank.
Mounted both of these into the car. Then the thought process started. Everyone knows what these thoughts are.
Hm, I would like to put the rear subframe in place, but first I need to get the fuel lines in place so I can permanently mount the gas tank, but first I need to paint the engine bay before I go and bolt stuff to the firewall, but first I need to make sure all the brackets are in place before I paint the engine bay, but first I need to mount the radiator so I can figure out where I am going to put the A/C condenser, but before I can make the mounts for the condenser I need to make sure there is enough room between the engine and the radiator, but first I need to put the accessories on the engine. LOL
SO, I installed the new radiator brackets and mocked up the radiator. Here it is in place.
I have these little metal plates that I think I'm going to cut and lay in like this to hold the top of the radiator. Line them with rubber and then load the radiator from the bottom.
Then I moved to the engine and started to clean it so it can be painted and I can put the new accessory drive on.
But I'm trying to postpone spending any large amount of money on the car for a month or so, so I think once the engine is painted, I will move back to the rear flares and try my hand at some body work.
For anyone that is interested. I will be selling the rear spoiler that I got with my body kit. It's a Monster Miata body kit. I'm not going to use it because of the trunk lid I purchased.
Also, I will be selling the carbon fiber finish panel that I have. I'm replacing it with the retro rear panel/tail lights from garage vary. So if anyone is interested in either of these, shoot me a PM before I post them up in the classifieds. I'll be posting them in the next week. Just have to get some good pics.
Then went back today for most of the day. Cleaned the rear bumper reinforcement and the gas tank.
Mounted both of these into the car. Then the thought process started. Everyone knows what these thoughts are.
Hm, I would like to put the rear subframe in place, but first I need to get the fuel lines in place so I can permanently mount the gas tank, but first I need to paint the engine bay before I go and bolt stuff to the firewall, but first I need to make sure all the brackets are in place before I paint the engine bay, but first I need to mount the radiator so I can figure out where I am going to put the A/C condenser, but before I can make the mounts for the condenser I need to make sure there is enough room between the engine and the radiator, but first I need to put the accessories on the engine. LOL
SO, I installed the new radiator brackets and mocked up the radiator. Here it is in place.
I have these little metal plates that I think I'm going to cut and lay in like this to hold the top of the radiator. Line them with rubber and then load the radiator from the bottom.
Then I moved to the engine and started to clean it so it can be painted and I can put the new accessory drive on.
But I'm trying to postpone spending any large amount of money on the car for a month or so, so I think once the engine is painted, I will move back to the rear flares and try my hand at some body work.
For anyone that is interested. I will be selling the rear spoiler that I got with my body kit. It's a Monster Miata body kit. I'm not going to use it because of the trunk lid I purchased.
Also, I will be selling the carbon fiber finish panel that I have. I'm replacing it with the retro rear panel/tail lights from garage vary. So if anyone is interested in either of these, shoot me a PM before I post them up in the classifieds. I'll be posting them in the next week. Just have to get some good pics.
Last edited by WolfGT; 11-30-2017 at 12:40 PM.
#192
V8 Miata Zealot
#193
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
OK, rant over. I know it should go in front. But why does the Monster Kit come with pusher fans which make this impossible? Or am I supposed to make brackets that push the condenser out even further forward in front of the fans?
Either way, I still have the same question. Because of the huge *** dryer on the stock condenser, there is no way it will fit. Can I use the universal unit (or one like it) as a replacement?
On the same note, can I use a much smaller one and maybe mount it off to the side with it's own fan? Like I'm going to do with an oil cooler?
I think the beauty of the Monster radiator/brackets is also a problem here. It allows me to get the radiator below the core suppport and forward about 3 inches further than some of the others I have seen. But that also reduces the amount of space in front of the radiator. I really like the fans in front. What are the suggestions?
#194
V8 Miata Participant
I think you will be fine with any universal condenser. The key will be ensuring it is good for R134A - 1991 is prior to R134A so the original may not be as efficient as a new universal anyway. The drier can be mounted to the side using an extension tube or using the existing short tube, etc. The drier's purpose is merely to remove moisture in the freon via desiccant.
Who knows what would happen if the condenser is mounted between the radiator and the engine. I don't think I've ever seen that so there must be a reason it is always in front. Most likely if the condenser doesn't get cool enough by being in front the A/C just does not cool the car...
Martin has you attach the condenser right against the radiator and the fans right against the condenser pushing air. His more recent updates however are using thinner fans and mounted as pullers behind the radiator. I have my condenser mounted about 3/4 inch in front of the radiator and the thinner fans as pullers. I'll be completing the A/C connections this spring and adding an additional fan as a pusher (three fans total) attached to the front of the condenser and activated by the original Miata A/C relay that ran the A/C fan. There is enough room up there for that additional pusher fan.
Mike
Who knows what would happen if the condenser is mounted between the radiator and the engine. I don't think I've ever seen that so there must be a reason it is always in front. Most likely if the condenser doesn't get cool enough by being in front the A/C just does not cool the car...
Martin has you attach the condenser right against the radiator and the fans right against the condenser pushing air. His more recent updates however are using thinner fans and mounted as pullers behind the radiator. I have my condenser mounted about 3/4 inch in front of the radiator and the thinner fans as pullers. I'll be completing the A/C connections this spring and adding an additional fan as a pusher (three fans total) attached to the front of the condenser and activated by the original Miata A/C relay that ran the A/C fan. There is enough room up there for that additional pusher fan.
Mike
#195
V8 Miata Fanatic
I think you will be fine with any universal condenser. The key will be ensuring it is good for R134A - 1991 is prior to R134A so the original may not be as efficient as a new universal anyway. The drier can be mounted to the side using an extension tube or using the existing short tube, etc. The drier's purpose is merely to remove moisture in the freon via desiccant.
Who knows what would happen if the condenser is mounted between the radiator and the engine. I don't think I've ever seen that so there must be a reason it is always in front. Most likely if the condenser doesn't get cool enough by being in front the A/C just does not cool the car...
Martin has you attach the condenser right against the radiator and the fans right against the condenser pushing air. His more recent updates however are using thinner fans and mounted as pullers behind the radiator. I have my condenser mounted about 3/4 inch in front of the radiator and the thinner fans as pullers. I'll be completing the A/C connections this spring and adding an additional fan as a pusher (three fans total) attached to the front of the condenser and activated by the original Miata A/C relay that ran the A/C fan. There is enough room up there for that additional pusher fan.
Mike
Who knows what would happen if the condenser is mounted between the radiator and the engine. I don't think I've ever seen that so there must be a reason it is always in front. Most likely if the condenser doesn't get cool enough by being in front the A/C just does not cool the car...
Martin has you attach the condenser right against the radiator and the fans right against the condenser pushing air. His more recent updates however are using thinner fans and mounted as pullers behind the radiator. I have my condenser mounted about 3/4 inch in front of the radiator and the thinner fans as pullers. I'll be completing the A/C connections this spring and adding an additional fan as a pusher (three fans total) attached to the front of the condenser and activated by the original Miata A/C relay that ran the A/C fan. There is enough room up there for that additional pusher fan.
Mike
Brad
#196
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
I don't know why I hadn't looked at the Monster Miata manual before last night. But I pulled it out just to confirm the radiator mounting and I saw the proposed mounting of the condenser and fans. There is no way I would mount mine that way. Seriously, wood screws, coat hanger and hot glue? WTF?
That is way too nice of a custom radiator to even propose that type of rigging. And the weight of the condenser and fans is just too much to be hanging off the radiator just by the fins alone. And oh, it just doesn't fit. The way the dryer is mounted to the stock condenser and the fact that the radiator is a lot further forward, it just doesn't fit.
So, new plan. I pulled the blades off the fans and flipped them around. I did some research and these models can be modified to be pushers or pullers. All you have to do is flip the blades and reverse polarity. Done. So I did that and tested to make sure they perform like they should and no problems. Then to make them sit right on the radiator. If you just put them on the radiator, they are too big. So I trimmed the outside housing so they sit down on the radiator properly. Here are some pics.
Ordered some proper kits to attach them. Should have them in a couple days.
I'm going to order a new condenser and add some brackets to the new radiator brackets that will hold it in front of the radiator. I have some calls out to some A/C specialists to make sure I get the right thing (cooling systems are way confusing, condensers, accumulators, dryers, expansion valves .... holy crap).
I have also ordered a fan controller that will allow me to program the temps each fan comes on. So let me run my thoughts past you guys and let me know if I'm way off.
These are the settings I plan to set for the fans. (running a 195 thermostat)
- The lower fan will kick on at 205 degrees and off at 200.
- The upper fan will kick on at 210 and off at 205.
- The lower fan will kick on whenever the A/C is running no matter the temp.
Thoughts?
And to catch up my time tracking ...
Add another 7.5 hours to the clock
My Time: 133 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
That is way too nice of a custom radiator to even propose that type of rigging. And the weight of the condenser and fans is just too much to be hanging off the radiator just by the fins alone. And oh, it just doesn't fit. The way the dryer is mounted to the stock condenser and the fact that the radiator is a lot further forward, it just doesn't fit.
So, new plan. I pulled the blades off the fans and flipped them around. I did some research and these models can be modified to be pushers or pullers. All you have to do is flip the blades and reverse polarity. Done. So I did that and tested to make sure they perform like they should and no problems. Then to make them sit right on the radiator. If you just put them on the radiator, they are too big. So I trimmed the outside housing so they sit down on the radiator properly. Here are some pics.
Ordered some proper kits to attach them. Should have them in a couple days.
I'm going to order a new condenser and add some brackets to the new radiator brackets that will hold it in front of the radiator. I have some calls out to some A/C specialists to make sure I get the right thing (cooling systems are way confusing, condensers, accumulators, dryers, expansion valves .... holy crap).
I have also ordered a fan controller that will allow me to program the temps each fan comes on. So let me run my thoughts past you guys and let me know if I'm way off.
These are the settings I plan to set for the fans. (running a 195 thermostat)
- The lower fan will kick on at 205 degrees and off at 200.
- The upper fan will kick on at 210 and off at 205.
- The lower fan will kick on whenever the A/C is running no matter the temp.
Thoughts?
And to catch up my time tracking ...
Add another 7.5 hours to the clock
My Time: 133 hours
Friends & Family: 6 hours
Paid labor: $0 (this number does not include the mods made by Monster Miata)
Last edited by WolfGT; 11-30-2017 at 12:41 PM.
#197
V8 Miata Participant
I have the room for a small fan and the "feed" from the original Miata A/C circuit so right now the third fan is just for good measure. It just seems that many of these have cooling issues so...
I appreciated every picture and video I could find for this conversion and if any of mine can help, cool!
Mike
#198
Jim Stainer
I'd run both fans all the time with AC no matter what the temp. You will get a lot better AC performance at low speeds that way. Also IMO the temps you are looking at are a bit on the high side. Once you let it hit 210 it's really hard to bring it back to 200 in these cars especially at low speed. Air just doesn't move well through the engine bay and those fans will need all the help the can get.
#199
Hey Greg
Supporting the fans and condenser with separate brackets is a good idea though the method in the manual has worked in the past without problems. I have just changed to 10" puller fans in the kit. They pull harder than the Tripac fans and clear the water pump. I would be happy to exchange them if you would like.
The condenser should always be in front oh the radiator. I relocate the new dryer off to the side of the radiator in the dead space in front of the ps wheel. Lots of room there.
Hope this helps
Martin
Supporting the fans and condenser with separate brackets is a good idea though the method in the manual has worked in the past without problems. I have just changed to 10" puller fans in the kit. They pull harder than the Tripac fans and clear the water pump. I would be happy to exchange them if you would like.
The condenser should always be in front oh the radiator. I relocate the new dryer off to the side of the radiator in the dead space in front of the ps wheel. Lots of room there.
Hope this helps
Martin