New project: 1996 Miata with Ford 5.0
09-16-2018, 06:03 AM
#301
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Put her back up in the air yesterday to start prepping for the oil pan gasket change, and ran her to inspect for exhaust leak areas. Putting my hand around the exhaust header flange at the head, I could feel the exhaust coming out, so it is leaking really bad (I knew it was leaking base don the noise, just did not think it's as bad as it is). I re-torqued the header bolts a few times previously, so I need to figure out what my issue is when I tear it down. I am running trick flow heads with stage 8 bolts, maybe the bolts are too long? Not sure. Stuff to figure out when the car is apart. Hope I can resolve the oil leak issue, exhaust leak issues, and ECU code/crappy running all in this one big teardown. Wish me luck.
09-22-2018, 06:10 AM
#302
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Had a 4 day weekend planned, so I spent the day in the garage yesterday starting this big teardown. Pulled the exhaust and entire front suspension out, and dropped the oil pan. I cleaned the crap out of both the oil pan and the bottom of the engine and went over both at least 5 times with brake cleaner to make sure no oil residue. Used Fel-Pro one piece-blue gasket and AC Delco grey sealer (man is that stuff sticky). Put it all back together with my ARP bolts and torqued them and then re-torqued them at least 10 times to make sure all was where it should be. This was my 4th time trying to get this pan to seal, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Next on the list is the exhaust leaks, will probably start on that tomorrow or Monday. More to come on my findings there.
Next on the list is the exhaust leaks, will probably start on that tomorrow or Monday. More to come on my findings there.
09-24-2018, 04:35 PM
#303
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Got to the bottom of my exhaust leak. Pulled the headers, and some moron (me) bought the wrong gaskets that are too small for the headers that Martin sends in the kit. Checked the Trick Flow instructions, and confirmed with Martin that I need part number 1415 with his headers and the trick flow heads. Ordered the gaskets, as well as new copper gaskets for the flanges and nord lock washers for the flange bolts to make sure they stay in place. Waiting on the new drain plugs that I ordered for the oil pan before filling it back up and seeing if it holds oil now. Should have everything by the weekend, so I should be able to button it back up this weekend and start it up and see if all is resolved. Fingers crossed!
09-25-2018, 07:24 PM
#305
V8 Miata Fanatic
Heck, I reused the original oil pan gasket on my 19K used motor without giving it a thought... till I had leaks! Replaced with new and ate some humble pie at the same time.
Keep it moving forward and post pics!
Keep it moving forward and post pics!
09-26-2018, 04:55 AM
#306
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Ugh, oil pan gasket. I've done mine 4 times now as the bastard keeps leaking at the humps. Tried it wet and dry (still always using sealer at the hump corners), tried both the ford racing and fel pro one-piece units. Just installed another fel pro one piece and used the AC Delco sealer as I read it's pretty much the best out there. Have not run it yet, waiting on gaskets. We'll see if it holds.
09-30-2018, 05:29 AM
#309
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Update time as my gaskets and hardware arrived, so I spent the day in the garage yesterday. Got the exhaust buttoned up, added oil and changed the filter, then fired her up. Ran rough at first, but it was nice to hear it without exhaust leaks. She was running really rich as she warmed up. Once she got up to temp, things started smoothing out and after 10 mins or so, no more rich smoke, and when you revved it, it was much more crisp. Ran for about 20 mins total, and ran it up and down the rev range a few times. Also, no oil leak! Today I'm going to re-torque the exhaust, and run it again to see how things are and if any leaks pop up. If good, I'll finish putting the suspension back in, and take her around the block, then pull codes. Not going to say things are fixed until I run it a few more times and get zero codes. Hopefully on the right path now.
09-30-2018, 06:24 PM
#310
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
So, heat cycled it a few times today, no oil leaks. Buttoned up the suspension, and put it on the ground. Took it for a quick drive around the block, and at first it was still rough, then after a 1/4 mile or so, started smoothing out. Got it up to 60 or so (according to my speedo, not sure if accurate), and it pulled pretty good. Didn't go far as the alignment is way off. Got it home, and ran KOER, still have 41 and 91. Thought about it, and I never disconnected the batt to reset the ECU, so I'm going to do that, and try again. Feels like things are heading in the right direction. Fingers crossed.
10-04-2018, 06:16 PM
#317
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks.
So I took her out again today after doing the battery disconnect. Still laggy/ bouncy, and when I got home and ran KOER, still have 41 and 91 and she still stinks like pig rich. Getting to my wits end with this. I can’t keep doing test drives as alignment is way off, and I’m destroying my tires. No signs of oil, so I may do the alignment now as I don’t thing the cradle needs to come down again. I need a break from the poor running issues.
So I took her out again today after doing the battery disconnect. Still laggy/ bouncy, and when I got home and ran KOER, still have 41 and 91 and she still stinks like pig rich. Getting to my wits end with this. I can’t keep doing test drives as alignment is way off, and I’m destroying my tires. No signs of oil, so I may do the alignment now as I don’t thing the cradle needs to come down again. I need a break from the poor running issues.
10-04-2018, 09:34 PM
#320
V8 Miata Fanatic
Well that’s a positive sign.
You’ve replaced your O2 sensors, Have you checked for continuity from the connector to the ecu?
Assuming good sensors and continuity, what else could it be?
You running stock AL9?
You’ve replaced your O2 sensors, Have you checked for continuity from the connector to the ecu?
Assuming good sensors and continuity, what else could it be?
You running stock AL9?
10-12-2018, 05:56 AM
#322
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Quick update, shifted to the suspension this week to work on getting ride height set and alignment done, as I don't want to kill my tires. Set it up on hub stands, and took a preliminary toe measurement to see how bad it was. LOL, only 11mm diff front to rear on the front (rear tires was only 3mm diff, not too bad). Started looking at the front end to set the ride height as right now it is at 11.5" and I was looking for more like 12.25 to 12.5 to gain ground clearance for oil pan and exhaust. Looks like I am going to run out of adjustment with my VMAXX track coil overs as I only have roughly .625" until I start to sit on the bump stop. I am guessing this goes back to my dropping the cradle with spacer blocks for hood clearance (3/16 or 1/4, can't remember). Now I need to space down my top hats, or find a spacer to fit in the spring pack to get me a little more height. The problem with the top hat spacers is that I have a master cyl brace that also acts as my recovery tank mount, and I would need longer top hat studs to keep it in place. Researching options. The fun never ends. Gotta love building custom cars, never a dull moment.
10-13-2018, 04:30 AM
#323
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Well, after discussing with Flyin Miata, I ordered longer front springs (500 lb rate like what is on the coilovers, but 7 inch length vs 5.5). This shold correct the problem.
10-13-2018, 10:49 AM
#324
V8 Miata Fanatic
Wow, you must have sweet talked the FM crew. No way, no how were they able to accomodate my requested slightly taller ride height. I basically got the impression "Ford build? Too bad". This was a couple years back so maybe they finally smartened up. I ended up asking V8R for some help and they were more than happy to take my money and I got a good coilover kit in return.
Good luck.
Good luck.
10-14-2018, 09:11 AM
#325
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
I contacted the tech dept. They couldn’t sell me the springs, but at least advised on options to resolve the issue, best one being longer springs. I found the correct size/rate/length springs through a vendor on eBay. They are hypercoil springs. I have spent thousands with FM over the years, so I would expect the assist, and didn’t have any problems. Should have the new springs later this week.
