My first motor build/refresh
#1
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey guys, with 230,000 on my 1990 short nose crank 1.6, I've decided to get a new engine, change seals, bearings, etc.
I'm in the process of buying a 1993 1.6 that has had head work (i.e. headgasket, head resurfacing, seals) as well as a new timing belt and clutch kit but no work on the bottom end. My plan is to open up the bottom end and replace the bearings and piston rings, paint the block, and close it all up with new seals.
My goal for this thread is to tap into the knowledge of the board, which has been done many times with fantastic results, and successfully complete the motor refresh.
List of new parts:
Piston Rings
Main Bearings
Rod Bearings
Thrust Bearings
(Missing any other bearings to get/should I bother with bearings even??)
Rear Main Seal
Crank Seal
Oil Pickup Seal
Oil Pan Gaskets (Front/Back)
Is there anything important I missed while keeping the budget relatively low?
Thank you for all that offer advice!
Mods: If this is not in the correct sub-forum, please move it to the correct one so I can get the most poignant advice.
I'm in the process of buying a 1993 1.6 that has had head work (i.e. headgasket, head resurfacing, seals) as well as a new timing belt and clutch kit but no work on the bottom end. My plan is to open up the bottom end and replace the bearings and piston rings, paint the block, and close it all up with new seals.
My goal for this thread is to tap into the knowledge of the board, which has been done many times with fantastic results, and successfully complete the motor refresh.
List of new parts:
Piston Rings
Main Bearings
Rod Bearings
Thrust Bearings
(Missing any other bearings to get/should I bother with bearings even??)
Rear Main Seal
Crank Seal
Oil Pickup Seal
Oil Pan Gaskets (Front/Back)
Is there anything important I missed while keeping the budget relatively low?
Thank you for all that offer advice!
Mods: If this is not in the correct sub-forum, please move it to the correct one so I can get the most poignant advice.
#2
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/moderator.png)
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey guys, with 230,000 on my 1990 short nose crank 1.6, I've decided to get a new engine, change seals, bearings, etc.
I'm in the process of buying a 1993 1.6 that has had head work (i.e. headgasket, head resurfacing, seals) as well as a new timing belt and clutch kit but no work on the bottom end. My plan is to open up the bottom end and replace the bearings and piston rings, paint the block, and close it all up with new seals.
My goal for this thread is to tap into the knowledge of the board, which has been done many times with fantastic results, and successfully complete the motor refresh.
List of new parts:
Piston Rings
Main Bearings
Rod Bearings
Thrust Bearings
(Missing any other bearings to get/should I bother with bearings even??)
Rear Main Seal
Crank Seal
Oil Pickup Seal
Oil Pan Gaskets (Front/Back)
Is there anything important I missed while keeping the budget relatively low?
Thank you for all that offer advice!
Mods: If this is not in the correct sub-forum, please move it to the correct one so I can get the most poignant advice.
I'm in the process of buying a 1993 1.6 that has had head work (i.e. headgasket, head resurfacing, seals) as well as a new timing belt and clutch kit but no work on the bottom end. My plan is to open up the bottom end and replace the bearings and piston rings, paint the block, and close it all up with new seals.
My goal for this thread is to tap into the knowledge of the board, which has been done many times with fantastic results, and successfully complete the motor refresh.
List of new parts:
Piston Rings
Main Bearings
Rod Bearings
Thrust Bearings
(Missing any other bearings to get/should I bother with bearings even??)
Rear Main Seal
Crank Seal
Oil Pickup Seal
Oil Pan Gaskets (Front/Back)
Is there anything important I missed while keeping the budget relatively low?
Thank you for all that offer advice!
Mods: If this is not in the correct sub-forum, please move it to the correct one so I can get the most poignant advice.
#4
Former Vendor
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 15,442
Total Cats: 2,103
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The 1.8L motor is better in every conceivable way. You get more displacement, better cylinder head options, more aftermarket support, and every single modification you add to it (ECU, header/turbo manifold, turbocharger, exhaust, intake, intake manifold, etc, etc, etc) will perform better on the 1.8L than the same modification would on the 1.6L. It is also the cheapest way to add horsepower to the car, regardless of what else you decide to do to it. There is no logical reason to build/rebuild a 1.6L motor unless a racing class or government regulations require you to.
#5
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Easy button 1 : Buy a 1.8, enjoy new-found testicular fortitude. ![Party Kitty](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/birthday[1].gif)
Easy button 2 : (but in wrong direction) : FM SEAL KIT + New Rings.... and still have a 1.6
![Party Kitty](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/birthday[1].gif)
Easy button 2 : (but in wrong direction) : FM SEAL KIT + New Rings.... and still have a 1.6
![facepalm](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif)
#10
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I could definitely understand feeling that way if I had everything ready to do a swap/adaption, but I haven't been convinced, from everything I've read.
__________________________________________________ __________
Now back to the point of the thread: For any one who has rebuilt their motor, am I forgetting anything important? Are there some tips I should know for it?
__________________________________________________ __________
Now back to the point of the thread: For any one who has rebuilt their motor, am I forgetting anything important? Are there some tips I should know for it?
#11
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/moderator.png)
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Except everybody telling you to do it?
I sure as hell wish I had listened. Now I cry myself to sleep every night because I have a 1.6 and sixshooter is going to dump me as a friend because of it.
You're current engine sounds like its running fine. Don't buy another 1.6.
I speak from experience. Read my build thread. I bought a 1.6. Now I wish I hadn't.
Now not gonna lie, my 1.6 is bitchin. But it would be cooler as a 1.9
I sure as hell wish I had listened. Now I cry myself to sleep every night because I have a 1.6 and sixshooter is going to dump me as a friend because of it.
You're current engine sounds like its running fine. Don't buy another 1.6.
I speak from experience. Read my build thread. I bought a 1.6. Now I wish I hadn't.
Now not gonna lie, my 1.6 is bitchin. But it would be cooler as a 1.9
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#12
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Except everybody telling you to do it?
I sure as hell wish I had listened. Now I cry myself to sleep every night because I have a 1.6 and sixshooter is going to dump me as a friend because of it.
You're current engine sounds like its running fine. Don't buy another 1.6.
I speak from experience. Read my build thread. I bought a 1.6. Now I wish I hadn't.
Now not gonna lie, my 1.6 is bitchin. But it would be cooler as a 1.9![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
I sure as hell wish I had listened. Now I cry myself to sleep every night because I have a 1.6 and sixshooter is going to dump me as a friend because of it.
You're current engine sounds like its running fine. Don't buy another 1.6.
I speak from experience. Read my build thread. I bought a 1.6. Now I wish I hadn't.
Now not gonna lie, my 1.6 is bitchin. But it would be cooler as a 1.9
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Let's say hypothetically I tell the guy I'm buying the 1.6 from that I'm not interested anymore, look for a 1.8 for around $400-500, do I find a harness as well and swap everything over? Use the FM kit for $150 to adapt everything? Again, my problem isn't really about work, although this is my daily, it's more about money, and at this point at 19 being in school, it's very hard to justify it.
That said, when people say they have done the swap and are very happy with it, or like you, say that they swapped a 1.6 and wished they'd swapped a 1.8, I do take that into consideration seriously.
#16
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just save up and do a 1.8 Swap. I've worked on a budget, you can too. It may delay your build but eventually you'll have a better engine to build off of. This is assuming you have future plans to modify the car/make more power. If you don't care about power or modifying the engine, carry on with a 1.6.
#18
Former Vendor
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (31)
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 15,442
Total Cats: 2,103
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'll start reading your build-thread.
Let's say hypothetically I tell the guy I'm buying the 1.6 from that I'm not interested anymore, look for a 1.8 for around $400-500, do I find a harness as well and swap everything over? Use the FM kit for $150 to adapt everything? Again, my problem isn't really about work, although this is my daily, it's more about money, and at this point at 19 being in school, it's very hard to justify it.
Let's say hypothetically I tell the guy I'm buying the 1.6 from that I'm not interested anymore, look for a 1.8 for around $400-500, do I find a harness as well and swap everything over? Use the FM kit for $150 to adapt everything? Again, my problem isn't really about work, although this is my daily, it's more about money, and at this point at 19 being in school, it's very hard to justify it.
If you aren't concerned with the performance of the car, then just find a running 1.6. Rebuilding an engine is ALWAYS more expensive than purchasing a running engine and installing it. If you are concerned with performance, then the 1.8L swap is some of the cheapest power you'll ever buy.