NA6 - Project : Rebuild and Restore (aka A Love Story)

[TheMissus]

Like the pink overalls too

Thanks, I like 'em

And an update to the soft top purchase :

I just went and had a shopping spree at GoMiata ... new parts ordered and should be here to install next weekend :

* Brand new, beautiful and shiny Robbins Vinyl Softtop with Glass http://store.miataparts.org/rovitopstglw.html
* Soft top comes with new rain rails (good thing or I would have added them to the list!)
* New top side tension cables http://store.miataparts.org/topsiteca.html
* New bling vent surrounds http://store.miataparts.org/trmiverisetd.html
* New grille http://store.miataparts.org/polbilgrilm1.html

And because I was on a roll ASE05 and I will have his and hers matching grilles ... I got him the same one for the SE. http://store.miataparts.org/pomicubigr201.html So tonight I am the bestest wife in the whole world.

[Sean]

This is the new stereo ... chosen because it looks a little old school. Black with green LEDs and the same font as the air con and the rest of the dash but with all the new stuff - blue tooth, MP3 compatible and 6 stack CD player. Can't wait.

Our 2008 model toyota has the exact same unit, but in silver...

[TheMissus]

Our 2008 model toyota has the exact same unit, but in silver...

It actually comes out of a 2007 Prado and at the moment I have ASE05 working on a mazda badge to hide the Toyota label. We are waiting for the whatsit to hardwire in the Ipod before we do the final stereo install, so then we can do the whole lot at once.

*Best Newsreader Voice* "And in other news ... "

I'm still waiting for the new soft top and grille and stuff to arrive from the USA. It should be here some time next week. I can't wait ... it better not rain before then!

And the most exciting part of my day is that the Alternator died on the way home from work. Bit scary driving on the freeway in the almost dark and at peak hour desperately trying to get to the next exit with no lights, no tacho, no indicators ... no nothing left!

ASE05 came down with the battery out of the SE to get me enough charge to get me home (my hero *swoon*) and I just did some basic diagnostics and they confirmed my fears that the alternator is indeed cactus. I have ripped the offending alternator out and will organise a new one tomorrow. If I put it back in tomorrow night I should be back on the road again on Thursday ... yay me!

The clutch is on it's last legs as well so the motor swap (original out to rebuild and newer one back into it in the mean time) is being pulled forward a whole lot more and will be done in 2 weeks time so I can do the clutch while I have everything out of the engine bay and out of the way. The couple of weeks gives me a chance to pay for the clutch (after paying for an alternator!) and finish the research about the engine swap. If we had a bigger house and more parking it would be a great time for a dodgy day on the North Side!

[Sean]

It's probably standard across the Toyota range, I find it a good little unit, the bluetooth works a treat too!
If you need a copy of the manual let me know.

[TheMissus]

We're pretty sure it's standard across the Toyota range and I'd love a copy of the manual please. One downside of sending ASE climbing over wrecks to get it is that there isn't one. How big is it? Small enough to scan & email?

[Sean]

We're pretty sure it's standard across the Toyota range and I'd love a copy of the manual please. One downside of sending ASE climbing over wrecks to get it is that there isn't one. How big is it? Small enough to scan & email?

I can't receall exactly but it should be, I'll try to scan it when I get home on the weekend or next week.

[timk]

Make sure you do the rear main seal and front gearbox seal so you don't oil up the new clutch! I think that was half the problem. Sorry to hear about the alternator.

[TheMissus]

Make sure you do the rear main seal and front gearbox seal so you don't oil up the new clutch! I think that was half the problem. Sorry to hear about the alternator.

Thanks for the reminder about the seals!

Everything was going to be replaced anyway, this has just changed the order we do it. I can laugh about the drive up the freeway yesterday evening now. Last night it wasn't quite as entertaining.

[TheMissus]

Yay ... new alternator is in! It is a beautiful thing and I feel very clever. This mechanic-ing thing is getting easier and funner each time I get under the bonnet. I can't wait to get started on the clutch and swapping the motors over!

Much more fun than shopping on a Thursday night ... now I need a drink!

[sliq]

i wish my gf had the same unequivocable appreciation of MX5's as you do, TheMissus

[TheMissus]

i wish my gf had the same unequivocable appreciation of MX5's as you do, TheMissus

What's not to love about a car like that?


ASE05 made himself handy with the camera while he was standing around watching. And here is the photos of me doing the swap. There is one of the sad alternator coming out and one of me putting the new one in. They're just uploading now and I will post in a second.

Did I mention how beautiful and shiney and silver my new alternator is?

[TheMissus]

Here are the pictures ....

Old alternator coming out ...


And the new one going in ...

[sliq]

if you've ever seen ironman TheMissus, you remind me when tony stark replaces that orb in the centre of his chest

[Administrator]

Here are the pictures ....

Old alternator coming out ...

And the new one going in ...

Good piccies

You can attach them directly at mx5cartalk.com now, just keep the size to 1024 x 728 maximum

Good job.....

[TheMissus]

if you've ever seen ironman TheMissus, you remind me when tony stark replaces that orb in the centre of his chest

Hmmmm haven't seen the movie so I am a bit confused by the reference. Will add ironman to the list of movies to see.

You can attach them directly at mx5cartalk.com now, just keep the size to 1024 x 728 maximum

Will remember that for next time ... thanks!



And did I mention how beautiful and shiney my new alternator is? And how clever I still feel?