Update and more questions on my Ford build
04-23-2015, 10:22 AM
#101
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Unless the pressure plate is larger than it's supposed to be, the only thing I can imagine is that the rod is not fully retracted in the slave. I haven't heard of anyone else having this exact issue, and I'd hate to trim the rod unnecessarily as it's tough enough as it is to grab onto it to adjust the nut. Simply cracking the bleed valve should allow it to fully retract though, right? I won't have time to play with it till tomorrow so it's down on it's wheels to see if the "monster truck" suspension will settle a bit in the meantime.
04-27-2015, 10:59 AM
#102
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Well this was a weekend of minor frustrations. My main job was to get this clutch rod/pressure plate contact figured out. While under the car I got the wife to operate the pedal. Pedal would move so far, then the rod would contact the raised edge of the PP. If she pressed a little harder the rod would slide down that edge and allow the full piston travel, but in contact with the PP. I cut the rod down a bit and double checked that the piston had fully retracted. It hadn't. So I opened the bleeder, pushed the piston in all the way and it seemed to work fine. I drilled a small hole through the end of the rod so I could stick an awl in to hold it while turning the nut to adjust. This may be solved, but I'm wondering if the angle is somehow off a bit. I haven't read about this exact issue elsewhere, but have heard of folks having "pump up" but not mentioning any contact with the PP.
Next up was to reattach the hood. Remember that I shaved .250" off the lower manifold, and I also added a 3/16" subframe shim. I was expecting no issues closing the hood.
Damned coolant fill is hitting. I pulled it off, trimmed a 1/4" off the bottom...just close to the bead. I had thought I'd also take off the thermostat housing and trim it, but it doesn't look like there is any to trim..it's already at the bead. I tried again, now just the cap is hitting a little piece of bracing. Out comes the dremel. I cut a piece of bracing out but still have contact.
Next up was to reattach the hood. Remember that I shaved .250" off the lower manifold, and I also added a 3/16" subframe shim. I was expecting no issues closing the hood.
Damned coolant fill is hitting. I pulled it off, trimmed a 1/4" off the bottom...just close to the bead. I had thought I'd also take off the thermostat housing and trim it, but it doesn't look like there is any to trim..it's already at the bead. I tried again, now just the cap is hitting a little piece of bracing. Out comes the dremel. I cut a piece of bracing out but still have contact.
04-28-2015, 12:34 PM
#104
V8 Miata Participant
Damned coolant fill is hitting. I pulled it off, trimmed a 1/4" off the bottom...just close to the bead. I had thought I'd also take off the thermostat housing and trim it, but it doesn't look like there is any to trim..it's already at the bead. I tried again, now just the cap is hitting a little piece of bracing. Out comes the dremel. I cut a piece of bracing out but still have contact.
I hate to say this but if the engine/trans is tilted down enough towards the back it will tilt the front of the motor up possibly causing the radiator cap to touch the hood? I have about 1/4 inch clearance between the cap and hood.
Mike
The following users liked this post:
charchri4 (05-05-2015)
The following users liked this post:
charchri4 (05-05-2015)
05-05-2015, 08:24 AM
#110
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks guys. Everyone here has been a great help on this. Car goes off for exhaust tonight. hopefully on the road by the weekend.
I do have to chase down a coolant leak. I'm getting a small puddle on top of the timing cover directly under the tstat housing. I was pretty carefull assembling this engine so kinda bummed about that, but it shouldn't be too tough to track down.
I set base timing on it and had it running several times for a few minutes at a time. No oil leaks at least.
I do have to chase down a coolant leak. I'm getting a small puddle on top of the timing cover directly under the tstat housing. I was pretty carefull assembling this engine so kinda bummed about that, but it shouldn't be too tough to track down.
I set base timing on it and had it running several times for a few minutes at a time. No oil leaks at least.
The following users liked this post:
charchri4 (05-05-2015)
05-05-2015, 08:45 AM
#111
V8 Miata Follower
super awesome to see another build come to life... just wait till you pull up at gas stations and all the people come to question you about your car... feels pretty awesome 
The following users liked this post:
charchri4 (05-05-2015)
05-05-2015, 05:49 PM
#112
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Well crap, my tow guy can't get my car to the exhaust shop tonight...maybe tomorrow night. Probably not have it back by the weekend now though. So I have some time to noodle on it tonight.
The hood closes. I trimmed the water neck, trimmed more hood bracing and ditched the rad cap with the lever top. My next spot of concern is the MAF. The connector is making slight contact. I have the stock Mustang air intake hose and the K&N filter Martin recommends. Evap can is in stock location. The MAF is basically sitting on top of the shock tower base. Looks like I may be able to grind off the little feet on the bottom of the MAF. Anyone else have to do that?
So glad I was able to finally get the stock hood to close.
The hood closes. I trimmed the water neck, trimmed more hood bracing and ditched the rad cap with the lever top. My next spot of concern is the MAF. The connector is making slight contact. I have the stock Mustang air intake hose and the K&N filter Martin recommends. Evap can is in stock location. The MAF is basically sitting on top of the shock tower base. Looks like I may be able to grind off the little feet on the bottom of the MAF. Anyone else have to do that?
So glad I was able to finally get the stock hood to close.
05-06-2015, 08:12 AM
#114
V8 Miata Zealot
My kit came with a radiator filler neck like this one: PRW 5292202, PRW PQX Aluminum Racing Radiators and Accessories | PRW . It works great,& no hood issues.
The following users liked this post:
charchri4 (05-07-2015)
05-06-2015, 09:38 AM
#115
V8 Miata Follower
whaa!! horizontal sideways?? that's like 10 times better!!!
I might buy that... I had to cut the vertical upright one that came with the cit... and there's no ribs left to clamp the hose... I have to retighten the hose clamp from time to time otherwise it starts leaking coolant....
I might buy that... I had to cut the vertical upright one that came with the cit... and there's no ribs left to clamp the hose... I have to retighten the hose clamp from time to time otherwise it starts leaking coolant....
05-07-2015, 11:05 AM
#117
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
I didn't take pics yet, and the car is finally away for exhaust, but before it left I changed out that crappy rad flex hose for a fox mustang one like on Mike's build. With a bit of trimming it fit perfectly across the front. Looks way better. Was even able to bend the hood prop to still fit. Trimmed the MAF a bit too. No contact at all with the hood now.
Drove it on it's longest trip as a V8 so far...about 40' from my garage to the flatbed. I'll be happy to have mufflers on it, but my neighbours will be overjoyed.lol
Drove it on it's longest trip as a V8 so far...about 40' from my garage to the flatbed. I'll be happy to have mufflers on it, but my neighbours will be overjoyed.lol
The following users liked this post:
charchri4 (05-07-2015)
05-07-2015, 01:58 PM
#119
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
At this point I'd like to go with Flowmaster Delta Flo's- a 2 chamber design. Based on Martin's recommendation, with cats this should be fairly quiet at idle but open up on throttle. I hope. I kinda wanna fly under the radar. Single tip even.
06-11-2015, 12:56 PM
#121
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Man o man, I've been cooling my heels.
Car is STILL out for exhaust. 5 weeks and counting. Unfortunately the week after I dropped it off, the mechanics BIL was in a bad ATV accident and subsequently died a few weeks later. That put all "extra projects" on hold -understandably.
I'm being patient, but getting impatient). So close to being on the road. Local car show here on Canada Day (July 1) that I'm hoping to take it to.
Car is STILL out for exhaust. 5 weeks and counting. Unfortunately the week after I dropped it off, the mechanics BIL was in a bad ATV accident and subsequently died a few weeks later. That put all "extra projects" on hold -understandably.
I'm being patient, but getting impatient). So close to being on the road. Local car show here on Canada Day (July 1) that I'm hoping to take it to.
07-10-2015, 12:56 PM
#122
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Got my weekly progress report today. Exhaust will be done by next weekend. Wouldn't you know it, we leave for Robbinsville NC for 2 weeks next weekend. It's shitty that it's taking so long - better be a frickin' work of art when it's done.
Anyone else here going to Miatas at the Gap?
Anyone else here going to Miatas at the Gap?
The following users liked this post:
jrmotorsports55 (07-11-2015)
08-07-2015, 10:58 AM
#125
V8 Miata Fanatic
Thread Starter
Back from 2 weeks vacation. Went to pick up the car on Tues....it's not ready. Getting there. Maybe next week. I can't believe it took me only 6 months to do the whole conversion and we're already half that time to do the exhaust. On the plus side, what has been done so far looks pretty good.
One bummer- I really wanted to go with a single tip and a hidden turndown, but dude says that it will be real tight fitting a turndown on the drivers side, so I went out last night and cut the bumper. Will have to figure out how to finish the edges of the lower rear lip spoiler once I get the car home.
One bummer- I really wanted to go with a single tip and a hidden turndown, but dude says that it will be real tight fitting a turndown on the drivers side, so I went out last night and cut the bumper. Will have to figure out how to finish the edges of the lower rear lip spoiler once I get the car home.
