Gladiators '90 MX5 NA6

[Gladiator]

Yeah good point mate. I did the timing cover black, & the block & head has all been done in engine black. I'm out of wrinkle paint so probably just gloss black for a bit of texture contrast. B

But there may be a bigger problem........... I just found the two top bolts for the starter motor. I forgot to put them in while it was all on the garage floor. Its going to be much harder in situ.

[Gladiator]

Looks great - consider painting the thermostat cover Wrinkle Black too to kelp make it "disappear".

How’s this Lokiel?


I had hoped to run the engine this arvo, but alas I didn’t get that far, so no zoom zoom. I’m so close though I can smell the exhaust fumes.



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[KevGoat]

Looks great!

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[Gladiator]

Looks great!

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Yeah, thanks Kev. It’s certainly getting there.

I’m actually going to rub the bonnet back & clear coat it again. I’m just not happy with it.
But regardless, all going well, I’m going to drive it around the block on Sunday, sans windscreen & bonnet. Just because I can, & it’s been so long. Only around the block though.


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[Lokiel]

Looks great - consider painting the thermostat cover Wrinkle Black too to kelp make it "disappear".

How’s this Lokiel?
:

How's what? - I can't see it

[Gladiator]

Looks great - consider painting the thermostat cover Wrinkle Black too to kelp make it "disappear".

How’s this Lokiel?
:

How's what? - I can't see it

I see what you did there. The invisible thermostat housing?


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[Gladiator]

Sometimes when you make good progress, progress itself slaps you in the face & says “Hold on there mate, not so fast”.

This weekend I got it running. The battery is kaput, so I had to jumpstart it with my Bravo. In my haste I mixed my jumper leads up & blew the 80 amp main fuse. A trip to Autobarn & fixed that. Then I installed the new fuse & turned the key. It started easier than I was expecting, but runs like a pig. I’m sure I can sort that out, but I want to be able to start it without jumpers so that’s one for later in the week. So I figured I’d finish fitting the body, ie. front bar & bonnet. Simple I thought. One would imagine that replacement panels would bolt up the same as the original. Very wrong. Tomorrow I’m pulling the front bar off again to try & massage the tabs on the left fender so they fit together better.
2nd hand fender. (Passenger side)



Original (Drivers side)


But then to brighten myself up I fitted my recently acquired carbon fibre mirrors to match my dash & center console.


I start 3 nightshifts tomorrow, so I’ve only got a few hrs to play in the morning


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[ManiacLachy]

Great work. The fact that you pulled it apart, put it back together and the only issue starting was a flat battery is pretty darn awesome!

[Lokiel]

Great work. The fact that you pulled it apart, put it back together and the only issue starting was a flat battery is pretty darn awesome!

... along those lines:

"How many bits did you have left over?"

I still have no idea where a couple of small bolts go from one of my earliest modz when I installed my first intercooler - since then I've been much more methodical and even label parts I'm not familiar with.

[Gladiator]

Great work. The fact that you pulled it apart, put it back together and the only issue starting was a flat battery is pretty darn awesome!

... along those lines:

"How many bits did you have left over?"

I still have no idea where a couple of small bolts go from one of my earliest modz when I installed my first intercooler - since then I've been much more methodical and even label parts I'm not familiar with.

Yep there are some leftovers. Not a lot but some. I also deleted some stuff & replaced some bolts with new.

But on another note, I think I’ve found why it ran like a pig. Let’s just say it should run a whole lot better with the MAF harness connected.

Picking up a new battery on Thursday so fingers crossed.


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[Gladiator]

We have ZOOM ZOOM!!
The bad idle & the coolant leak turned out to be just minor oversights on my part. It's just a shame it took the best part of the day to sort out.

But tomorrow I go for just a wee drive.

I tried to post a little video but tapatalk wont let me, & I cant get it from my phone to my laptop. I hate windows 10. Bring back windows 7, at least I could use that.

[Magpie]

Cannot wait to see the finished product.

I preferred OS2 to windows.

[Lokiel]

Cannot wait to see the finished product.

I preferred OS2 to windows.

What the hell are you doing up at that ungodly hour to post the message?

Can't sleep because of the heat+humidity?

Lucky there was no painting required this week.

[Gladiator]

Today this cars tyres touched the ground for the first time in 14 months after I pushed it out of the workshop, jacked it up, & removed the dollies.

Then I washed it, fired it up, & went for a 10 minute drive.

The biggest difference from a year ago is the de-powered rack. It’s definitely different. But while it takes more effort to turn the increase in feel is huge & I think I will really like it once I’m used to it.

The effects of the lightened flywheel were less obvious to me, but does spin up a lot quicker, with no reduction in driveability, so that’s a win too.

THEN IT HAPPENED. My biggest fear during this whole project was that the paint job would not be up to scratch. Let me clarify. The actual paint job is fine, but I apparently suck at body work. As such there were some panels needed to be redone, but I’d run out of paint so had to order more.

You guessed it, slightly different colour. Also my lack of body work skills are showing through.

I’m totally shattered, & I’m now thinking I have to do a closed door respray to fix it up.






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[Daffy]

Just hang in there and get it sorted- theres always one or 2 steps backwards when you get so close to that finish line. You gone great guns so far