Been parting out a 1991 Miata and the way the parts are going you would think I was mixing free drinks at a rehab clinic!
The funny thing is that no-one seems to want the engine or gearbox. A few calls wanting a 1800, but otherwise no love.
Is it a testament to the indestructible nature of these parts that no one wants these, or just that if you are going to do an engine you might as well do a 1800?
NOHOME wrote: or just that if you are going to do an engine you might as well do a 1800?
This. The 1.8L aren't that much more expensive either.
The latter. The NA 1.8s aren't really any more expensive, and you'll end up with more power and torque. Also, with a 1991 you'll want to confirm that it's a long nose.
I've experienced the same with my part out on a highly sought after engine (Focus SVT Zetec). Sold parts like hot cakes, but hardly any interest in the engine/trans.
I did sell the engine over the weekend for an absurdly low price. I could have sold the head for more than what I sold the complete engine for.
I'd love to get my hands on a CHEAP 16V Miata head to play with...... but being honest... It would have to be a charity thing... I'm not going to pay much more than shipping
It's hard to give a 1.6 away. Best bet would be to list it on miata.net. They like them for some reason.
I ended up selling a 1.6 with a forged bottom end, still attached to a 1.8 trans/clutch/flywheel setup for $300, if that tells you anything.
If you were closer, I'd take it off your hands. I could use some spares for my Spec Miata.
Keith Tanner wrote: Also, with a 1991 you'll want to confirm that it's a long nose.
I've seen the term "long nose" in various threads several times and never owning a Miata I would like to know why that information is so important. Please enlighten me.
I have a higher mileage 1.6L engine that I need to find a new home and haven't gotten anything on it.
OldeskewToy - I would consider sending it your way if you had some worthless junk that you wanted to trade!
Graefin10 wrote: I've seen the term "long nose" in various threads several times and never owning a Miata I would like to know why that information is so important. Please enlighten me.
Refers to the crank bolt/key failure issue that is associated with '91 year Miatas. See here:
http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html
Graefin10 wrote:Keith Tanner wrote: Also, with a 1991 you'll want to confirm that it's a long nose.I've seen the term "long nose" in various threads several times and never owning a Miata I would like to know why that information is so important. Please enlighten me.
The original crank nose design was fairly delicate. The GTX shared the same design, and most of them suffered a failure. If you catch it early, it's easy to deal with. If you don't, the crank nose can actually break off. Most of them suffer an early demise due to poorly assembled or torqued parts, they take damage very quickly. Thanks to the fear of failure, a lot of people will skip changing the front seal (so they don't have to touch the crank bolt) but this is just dumb. I think the biggest problem is a fairly low torque on the bolt, and if you don't use Loctite it can back off.
In mid 1991, Mazda beefed up the diameter and length of the crank nose as well as adding a much bigger bolt. This design proved to be easier to assemble and less prone to failure, although you still have to torque it up properly. The higher torque seems to prevent the bolts from backing off without the use of Loctite, although the factory still recommends a dab on the bolt.
Short nose engines are basically worthless, the long nose have more value.
Ok, got it. Thanks Keith and Desmond.
singleslammer wrote: OldeskewToy - I would consider sending it your way if you had some worthless junk that you wanted to trade!
like my SH-T don't stink... my junk ain't worthless 
The only junk I have is Toyota based....
What are the sought after parts so far? My '90 is in fairly ratty condition (not worth putting money into), and I'm curious how much demand certain parts have and how much I can sell them for. Since the engine/drivetrain/etc are not worth anything, it may be better to sell altogether.
OSULemon wrote: What are the sought after parts so far? My '90 is in fairly ratty condition (not worth putting money into), and I'm curious how much demand certain parts have and how much I can sell them for. Since the engine/drivetrain/etc are not worth anything, it may be better to sell altogether.
Hey, I am not getting rich on this, but I have managed to recoup the purchase price while getting what I wanted for free...all good in my book.
What sold fast:
Exterior body and interior plastic.
Mirrors...could of sold a ton of them at $40 each.
That plastic tray that goes in the wiper cowl area and covers the mechanism...seems they all break.
Bumper covers went fast.
I thought the headlights woulda gone by now, but zip on them either.
On the engine topic...is there a way to tell at a glance if the engine is a long nose version? Might help spice up the bait if I can add that to the verbiage of the add! (edit) I figured it out...8 slots on pulley face = long nose.
Look at the front pulley. A short nose has four slots in the face of it, the long nose has eight.
well, since I just got my grassroots back issues with the miata-swap story and I keep looking at an MGB-GT that is a driveway ornament at the moment, this is of interest to me.
Anyone who cannot get rid of a miata motor in or near the chicago region can feel free to let me know!
All these 1.6L motor and trans., and none in Florida... 
rcutclif wrote: well, since I just got my grassroots back issues with the miata-swap story and I keep looking at an MGB-GT that is a driveway ornament at the moment, this is of interest to me. Anyone who cannot get rid of a miata motor in or near the chicago region can feel free to let me know!
Ya know...You might be on to something. I do have this MGB GT that is in great shape bodywise but continues to piss me off with the mediocrity of its drivetrain. Maybe I should just keep the Miata mechanical bits and graft them into the GT!
Oh, and the good news is that the Miata engine is the later long nose crank.
I will take the 1600 if it comes with the MGB GT.
NOHOME wrote:rcutclif wrote: well, since I just got my grassroots back issues with the miata-swap story and I keep looking at an MGB-GT that is a driveway ornament at the moment, this is of interest to me. Anyone who cannot get rid of a miata motor in or near the chicago region can feel free to let me know!Ya know...You might be on to something. I do have this MGB GT that is in great shape bodywise but continues to piss me off with the mediocrity of its drivetrain. Maybe I should just keep the Miata mechanical bits and graft them into the GT! Oh, and the good news is that the Miata engine is the later long nose crank.
Do it!!!!!!!!
In reply to racerfink:
Well if you find yourself in Missouri and want one for CHEAP, let me know
I think an MGB GT with a Miata engine and trans would be a wonderful thing. Janel wanted me to do that to my "spare" GT after the LS1 swap, but it went to a better home.
NOHOME wrote:rcutclif wrote: well, since I just got my grassroots back issues with the miata-swap story and I keep looking at an MGB-GT that is a driveway ornament at the moment, this is of interest to me. Anyone who cannot get rid of a miata motor in or near the chicago region can feel free to let me know!Ya know...You might be on to something. I do have this MGB GT that is in great shape bodywise but continues to piss me off with the mediocrity of its drivetrain. Maybe I should just keep the Miata mechanical bits and graft them into the GT! Oh, and the good news is that the Miata engine is the later long nose crank.
I challenge you to a build-off! (Starting in the fall of course, I must complete my house first before my wife deliver's our first kid...) Below is my candidate.
Even healthy 1.6 motors are gutless wonders compared to a 1.8 motor, which is why most people swap to the 1.8. Also, more readily available aftermarket parts and what not since they made a lot more Miatas with 1.8 motors.
Even good low mileage 1.8 motors only go for $600 or so.
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