JFReturns Mark 1 MX5 Project

[trooperiziz]

It's a rubber gasket, so unless it is brittle or damaged, you shouldn't even need to replace it. Although I would just to be on the safe side . Other than that, you play with the cam cover as much as you want.

[Jonny671]

trooperiziz said:

It's a rubber gasket, so unless it is brittle or damaged, you shouldn't even need to replace it. Although I would just to be on the safe side . Other than that, you play with the cam cover as much as you want.

They're <£10 IIRC when I got Mark one so I think I'll just order one in for Tuesday.

And so its just bolts off and lift it off? Don't have to mess around with belts or timing etc?

[MX-5 Lazza]

You should put a blob of instant gasket in the "corners" though otherwise you can get leaks. Even Mazda did that at the factory!

[trooperiziz]

Just bolts off and on, no timing to worry about.
Oh, and yes, you will need some silicon sealant!

[JFReturns]

Update time... new hood to replace the crappy old one, and as per this thread, a new look home for the '5:

http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...

[JFReturns]

Another small update - I had noticed that my '5 had a notchy gear change, especially when cold. The gearbox oil was replaced, but this didn't make much difference. Also, the gear knob and gaitor seemed to get pretty hot...

Some research revealed my upper and lower gear boots had almost certainly perished. A quick browse on mx5parts, and two days later a new set had arrived.

This is really easy to replace, but I had problems getting the gear knob off (more about that later). There are plenty of guides around, but here are some of my thoughts:

You need:

- 10mm socket and spanner
- Phillips screwdriver
- Turkey baster or similar
- Old rag
- General purpose oil

First off, remove the centre console and arm rest. No problems here, so long as you don't lose the nuts (put them in the ash tray). However, make sure the car is in neutral before carrying on, as it makes it easier to refit the gear stick:



Take out the four nuts - you will need a small spanner for those near the dash, and remove the upper boot. Marvel at how perished and crap it looks compared to the new one:



Remove the three nuts that hold the lower boots and gear stick in place



Have a rag handy to catch any drips of oil:



New vs. old upper boot:



New vs. old lower boot (note that a little oil will help slide the old one off / new one on):



Take out the old oil with the turkey baster and replace with fresh. Don't overfill:



Refit gear stick making sure that the groove is facing forward. Check the gears engage, then fit the upper boot:



Refit the centre console and gaitor, then go for a drive and enjoy the rifle bolt gear change!



NOTE: All the guides say remove the gear knob first. If you can do this, then bully for you, I couldn't. Instead, I broke the gaitor clip and pulled the centre console (and gaitor) off, then took the entire gear stick out and put in a vice. Came undone easily enough then, and I have no doubt I would have broken something had I kept forcing it. It didn't make much difference to my gaitor either (see above pic).



Overall, a very good mod which I recommend doing.

Edited by JFReturns on Thursday 26th August 13:57

[Munter]

Good stuff. And nice photos. I gave up on mine when I couldn't work out how to get the old one to let go of the "shaft". And paid a man £30 to do it for me!

I wouldn't say it's a mod as such. But a worthwhile maintenance task.

[JFReturns]

Eh? That is the easy part, all you need is a little lubrication over the shaft

But yes, you are correct it is not a mod, instead a refreshment of knackered parts. Like replacing my old dampers, the difference is amazing!

[JFReturns]

Another small update of sorts - I have properly restored the paint work to its original condition. Although the pictures in this thread thus far looked good and the paint shiny, as soon as I looked closely or under the garage lights, there were loads of scratches, haze and badness. This upset me.

So, armed with a shelf full of polishes I spent three days working out the best combination - all by hand. I will do a proper thread on my findings soon, but here are a few pics to show the success:

Before:



After:



And a few gratuitous shots from this morning, as it's the first time the '5 has been in the sun light since the work was done and I got carried away with my phone

[trooperiziz]

Looks great! a writeup on the process you used would be much aprreciated

[JFReturns]

Project MX5 has been put on hold - she is tucked up in a garage and has been declared SORN

Sad times, but having a peek of this outside my house cheers me up



I was meant to trade the '5 in, but could not bear to see it go. Who knows what I'll do in the future, maybe fix the wheel bearing (last job), put it through an MOT and sell it in the summer.... or maybe just keep it.

[JFReturns]

Tiny update - I went and checked on the '5 yesterday and she started up first time! I had a massive pang of regret at making her SORN, such a great car. But at least I haven't sold up...

Also gave the Scoob a quick clean, got quite a bit to do in terms of correcting the paint work, but overall she ain't bad.



The headlight lenses are a bit cloudy - does anyone know the best way of cleaning them? I presume they are plastic so glass polish would be no good....

[swansea v6]

http://www.myfto.co.uk/peeling.htm

check out the above link, the procedure is really easy and works wonders on plastic headlamps

[JFReturns]

Fantastic, thank you!

[MX-5 Lazza]

As I said on another thread, on my focus I just use T-cut followed by car polish. The wet & dry is a bit OTT unless the plastic is peeling like it was on that FTO.

[JFReturns]

Okay thanks Lazza, I'll try that first as mine are nowhere near as bad as the FTO.

[JFReturns]

Another check up on the '5, once again she started on the button! Took a few seconds to clear her throat then was idling away nicely. Got her up to temp and loosened her up a bit. Very tempted to swap the Scoob for the '5 over the summer months!



The Scoob itself has proved to be fantastic so far. No oil usage, starts nicely and still feels very fast. No mods yet, but I have started on the paintwork - about half way through the detailing (done boot and roof). The colour comes up lovely.



Here is a before and after...

[themx5restorer]

cracking results there

[JFReturns]

The time has come that I have to sell my beloved '5 as I now have an s2000 and cannot justify keeping both

However, I'm not sure what price to put it up for. I've checked the classified and the prices vary. Here are some details:

- I will put on 12mths MOT, 6mths tax and a fresh service
- New hood
- TR Lane rollbar
- New discs and pads all round
- New dampers/springs all round
- New water pump and clutch slave cylinder
- New cat back SS exhaust
- Paperwork limited, only a few old MOTs and the work I've done
- 121,000 miles
- '91 1.6
- Sills/arches good
- Tyres have a few thousand miles left
- All work done by Freelance Mazda
- Paintwork excellent

How much should I put it up for?

[JFReturns]

Update...

MOT today *gulp*. She has been sat in my Nan's garage since October, but she started on the button and only needed tyres pumping up. All fluids fine.

Sooooo, I just got a call from the garage - she failed on one thing, a tiny hole in the sill which they will repair for £100. Everything else is fine, some small advisories like tyres which I knew about. Result!

Bump on the price question, I'm still not sure what price to put her up for...?