Mexie & Kev say hello

[KevGoat]

At least you didn't get any further into your "ECU problems" before you realised the issue! Could have been a painful endeavour.

Yeah! Could probably have been expensive too!!

One of the reasons I didn't think of the connector problem was that when it originally played up about a year ago I had no response at all from turning the ignition key. It was as if the battery had been completely disconnected. Whereas this time I had power everywhere and the engine was cranking. I had no spark when cranking but it would spark when I released the key. I'd never come across that before.

Still annoyed at myself for not thinking of it though lol ....

Was a great trip anyway and at least Meningie is a nice place to get stuck for a couple of hours. We both thoroughly enjoyed all the roof down driving through the week. My wife said it adds to the jouney, making it something different and fun rather than just getting from "A to B". I'm so happy with the ride and comfort I've achieved with the car considering what it was like when I bought it.

Mind you...The Roo's and Deer roaming across the road in front of us around the Grampians took on a whole different appearance in size from the seats of Mexie haha...

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk 2

[monty007]

Hi Kev, great reading your story and following your journey I have had many cars over the years but nothing has come close to the obsession of owning a MX5....keep up the good work!

[KevGoat]

Hi Kev, great reading your story and following your journey I have had many cars over the years but nothing has come close to the obsession of owning a MX5....keep up the good work!

Gotta agree these 5's have an addictive personality

In minor build news ...

I'd virtually forgotten I'd ordered this !! ....



Ordered & paid for the stubby aerial and fitting kit back in June last year!! It arrived while we were on holiday last week ...

[KevGoat]

AARRRGH!!

Today I sorted out one massive folder of nearly 1000 photos in to better organised smaller folders and unwittingly mucked up my thread's photo URL's in the process

[Okibi]

Fixed

[KevGoat]

Fixed

Damn that was quick!! Only just sent you the email!!!

Fantastic. Looks so much better with photos

Thanks heaps for all that. Learned my lesson & will start placing new photos in to a thread folder ... AND WILL LEAVE THEM ALONE!!!

Much appreciated

[KevGoat]

Changed the cas o-ring today. I used the method from miata.net that doesn't require removing the cam cover.

Seemed simple enough. But it was a b!tch to get out!! Don't know how tight these usually are to remove, but mine just did not want to budge! Resorted to a hammer & screwdriver to carefully knock it backward out of it's housing. I got to a point where I could carefully remove it as stated in the article so that I could see where the tangs aligned .... but when it released I dropped it down the back of the engine, so everything moved Had to find a small mirror so that I could see in to the head where to re-align. Advice to any fellow butterfingers ... Don't Drop It!!!

Because the fit was so tight, it also didn't want to go back in Finally had success. Lined it up to my marks scratched in prior to moving everything, started up and running fine.

Another little task out the way...

[El Jay]

Where did you buy the aerial kit and do you know if they have NB suitable ones? I definitely don't like the original look.
Seems it took a long time for you to get the goods though!

[KevGoat]

Where did you buy the aerial kit and do you know if they have NB suitable ones? I definitely don't like the original look.
Seems it took a long time for you to get the goods though!

I bought it from MX5Parts UK (http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/stubby-aerial ... -1646.html)

They tend to run out of these very quickly with each order and the next order seems to take a long time to come in from the factory.

If you have an NB, don't you have an electric aerial? I would prefer an electric aerial personally.

[El Jay]

Yes it is electric, however I don't like the look of it. It makes the car look like one of these RC toys.
Just checked the site and they aren't compatible with electric antennas. Oh well it was worth a shot, thanks anyways.

[KevGoat]

So ... as I mentioned the other day in another thread, I have purchased an NB8A

Pick her up tomorrow (Friday) morning. I'll post more details over the weekend. I know the seller, so I don't think he'd mind me using his photo ...

[shuey]

Another red devil. Nice.
I too wanna get a stubby antenna for my NB. I stop listening to the radio cos I hate it flaying in the air all the time

[KevGoat]

Bought her home today I'll probably start a new thread for her, but for now this is a start ....













Plus a complete smorgasbord of spares & accessories







Am one very happy 'ol chappy

In last couple months, the roof was resprayed and fitted with new seals, brackets etc. The NB8B wheels were purchased and fitted with new tires to replace the defected wheels. New water pump and cam seals fitted. The cam belt tension was adjusted, valve clearances adjusted and rocker cover gasket replaced. Rear muffler was replaced. New electric aerial fitted as well as a new battery! Also has had a full service in last couple weeks! New drivers side electric window motor and mechanism was fitted about a year ago.

The guards have all been rolled! It had some gorgeous XXR wheels fitted, but it was defected for their width/offset as well as for sitting too low - the reason for much of the recent work, due to requirement for a full roadworthy check to remove the defect. Stock suspension has been fitted back on so I'll fit the BC's I bought recently.

I will drive the NB as is for a while, just need to sort a couple of small items, then I'll chuck it up on stands for a while so that I can spend a few weeks checking and tightening everything under, over and inside. I'll transfer all my good bits from my NA over.

Not sure what will happen to Mexie long term. Would like to keep her, but not sure if I can justify that and space is getting rather limited. Will probably end up selling her after I've removed the bits I want to keep. Someone would get a really well sorted, comfortable, tight and reliable vehicle that's for sure.

We'll see.....

For now, just another nice project to enjoy

[Kev05]

Congratulations, looks identical to mine except for the color.

[KevGoat]

Thanks Kev. I'm really happy with it. The previous owner was very particular and kept it in very good condition.

The side skirts & front lip really enhance the shape. I'm not one for body kits, but I do like the way these look.

Have to keep my eye out for an SE boot spoiler to finish it off

Looking forward to adding some decent mileage over the weekend and getting a better feel for it Will be interesting to compare the drive to my NA. Will hopefully get to do one of my favorite drives Sunday. First impressions after driving around today are that it's a more "relaxing" car to drive, despite the 8A seats not up to the comfort of my 8B seats in the NA (first thing I'll change around!). My NA feels punchier and much easier and willing to rev out, but the NB's power & speed is deceptive in it's smoothness.

Fun...