Gladiators '90 MX5 NA6

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:46 pm

Gladiator wrote:
Gladiator wrote:The family has all gone home so I've made a little more progress, but I'm on night shift now for a few days so it stops again.
But I managed to get the front bar & the fenders off today. I'm very happy with the overall condition underneath too.
Not many leaves n crap under the guards. There is some pre-existing damage under each sill that I'll have to repair, & it looks like possibly some rust repair done by the previous owner but it looks & sounds solid, & I've owned the car for 5 or 6 years so I won't worry about that.

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 2:47 pm

Sorry for the multi posts. I hate tapatalk.

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speed · Postby **speed** » Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:12 pm

Gladiator wrote:Sorry for the multi posts. I hate tapatalk.

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I just thought you were really happy that the family had gone home and you could work on your 5

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:36 am

I had a spare 2 hrs this morning so made a bit more progress on the strip down. I got the windscreen cowl off, (The apprentice was asleep as usual).

Then I attacked the rear end with gusto. Out came the rollbar, soft top, & that rear black trim bit.

I've got a bit of a clean up job with all the sealant under this trim.

Oh, I had to kick the apprentice out because he was farting too much.

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Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:25 pm

Nice progress! What was the fork for?

speed · Postby **speed** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 7:57 pm

I'm gonna guess to remove the plastic Christmas tree trim plugs.

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Mon Jan 02, 2017 8:43 pm

Magpie wrote:Nice progress! What was the fork for?

My cheap arse trim plug remover.

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 11:49 am

I haven't had much time to get into anything substantial this last week, but my new Eastwood Stud Welding attachment arrived today so that's exciting. Hopefully by the end of next weekend the engine & box will be out & I'll be almost ready to start bodywork.

Also, what is everyone's thoughts/experiences on pulling the windscreen? I don't know if I'm game.

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Rolley · Postby **Rolley** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 5:57 pm

Can be done.
Piano wire and a couple of chunks of broom stick as handles can work as a urethane cutter or you can pick up a T-handle cutter cheap enough off ebay if your not in a hurry or Repco if you are. There is no saving the moulding.
Removal alone is about $60 if you call one of the mobile guys.
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR2.TRC1.A0.H0.Xwindscreen+removal+tool.TRS0&_nkw=windscreen+removal+tool&_sacat=0
Definitely worth doing it though as there is often hidden rust bubbles in the bottom corners of the frame and it takes the stress out of tidying up the rust under the roof seal at the corners where the roof, door and windscreen meet. The paint is pretty thin there and the movement of the big windscreen frame seal every time the roof is operated or the door closed wears away the paint setting up perfect rust conditions.

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Mon Jan 09, 2017 8:43 pm

Cheers Rolley, I'll look into it.

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Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 4:40 pm

I made a little more progress this arvo. The dash is out & one door is off. Baby steps as they say. Even though I've removed the dash before, I still found it was very helpful to use the guide on the big forum.

Tomorrow I have the whole day, so hopefully much progress will be made.

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billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Thu Jan 12, 2017 8:06 pm

now that's what i'd call stripping it down :wink:

Gladiator · Postby **Gladiator** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:30 am

billybunter wrote:now that's what i'd call stripping it down

I'm hoping to have it almost bare by end of weekend. I'm not going to remove stuff just for the hell of it though.

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Magpie · Postby **Magpie** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:52 am

If you are looking to clean the black 'gunk' off the doors use a heat gun. Get it nice and hot (but not hot enough to burn the paint) and wipe off.

It is a very big job you are undertaking, daunting at first, however a waterfall starts with just one drop

Be interesting to see what you find under the carpet.

When putting the dash back in, the bolt at the center of the windscreen needs to be located and massaged into place before most of the other bolts are tightened...

If you have the chance give the HVAC a good clean as well as the blower fan.
http://www.miataturbo.net/build-threads-57/93-miata-stolen-flipped-build-thread-75474/page51/

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Jan 13, 2017 1:01 pm

I'm surprised you can get much work done at all in this heat/humidity.
Yesterday I did a couple hours of work in the garden and despite 4 large glasses of Gatorade, was completely wiped out when done.