April Tech Day 04/21/07

[Miatamadman]

not if his last name is Wentz...

Unless you know another Longfellow? I have a friend named Greg want me to call him?

[ICEEMX5]

Well maybe this time I can get out of my driveway without ice. I would like to do the fog light bezel install that was planned for last month but weather had a say about that.

It will require the front air dam and front bumper removed before installation of the bezels.

Help will be most appreciated.

Thanks

JP

[SilverTanLS]

Define "Fog Light bezels." Does your car not have OEM fogs, or is this just trick bling thing?

Just so happens I spent some time in a body shop...

...man, I think I'll be the busiest one at the tech day!

[ICEEMX5]

Mazda offers a fog light bezel replacement cover (the black tube surrounding the fog lights). It is silver painted rather than the black.

Still need to pop the front bumper off to do the swap out.

Uses the same foglights.

JP

[Miatamadman]

Mazda offers a fog light bezel replacement cover (the black tube surrounding the fog lights). It is silver painted rather than the black.

Still need to pop the front bumper off to do the swap out.

Uses the same foglights.

JP

I am sure we can get that cranked out, I would assist but I will prolly be knee deep in beer and swearing doing my timing belt job.

Will be there for a while...haha

[mistanfo]

Depending on what time I get out of work, and how much is left at the tech day, I may be able to get up there to help. Of course, I don't expect to be able to get there before 4pm. We'll see what the day brings.

[JMPitt820]

Could someone bring a timing light?

[Miatamadman]

Depending on what time I get out of work, and how much is left at the tech day, I may be able to get up there to help. Of course, I don't expect to be able to get there before 4pm. We'll see what the day brings.

Oh ill still be swearing and drinking then. But your help would be greatly appreciated.

[SilverTanLS]

I'll just swear...I pop the top on a drink and catch a buzz. I can handle the swearing for both of us. Im like a drunken sailor....only, not drunk and I am afraid of water. Man, thats a terrible analogy.

I took off that day, so I'll be there pretty early. Tools in tow.

Maybe I'll bring my polished aluminum piping along and make...something. Like a smooth tube from the TB to airbox. Anyone have a Jig Saw? Or something faster than a hacksaw that cuts 2.5" piping?

[Ensign]

Unfortunately, I have to back out from this Tech Day. I have to go into work that day.

[Miatamadman]

Sorry to hear that bro, we will carry on in your name!

Well I will have a beer and swear once for ya...haha

[ChristianL]

Does Ross still have his '96M? If so, any work he needs done should be completed first before any members cars are worked on (yet another perk of being a CAR club member).

[Miatamadman]

Does Ross still have his '96M? If so, any work he needs done should be completed first before any members cars are worked on (yet another perk of being a CAR club member).

Last I heard yes he did. I believe he wants to do something but I forget what.

Dont worry I havent forgotten that part

[SilverTanLS]

So, I got my Bilstein shocks today, willw e have time to install these, or at least gimme a hand?

[travism]

I got my HD ACE in yesterday, so I'll have that and a set of SS brake lines to install at the tech day. I have a small mechanics set of wrenches/sockets and jack stands I can bring, will someone have the appropriate tool(s) to make the necessary cuts to install a roll bar or should I go invest in some metal snips and or dremel set?

[djarum69]

I just picked up a new set of tin snips and some Costco step drill bits. I'll bring them along.

[Miatamadman]

I got my HD ACE in yesterday, so I'll have that and a set of SS brake lines to install at the tech day. I have a small mechanics set of wrenches/sockets and jack stands I can bring, will someone have the appropriate tool(s) to make the necessary cuts to install a roll bar or should I go invest in some metal snips and or dremel set?

I know Ross has some nice rotary tools, so the dremil is covered... I know he also has a drill but I do not know about the bits you will need. Christian prolly knows those sizes off the top of his head.

Bring a hammer too. HAHAHA

[ChristianL]

If Ben is offering to let you use his step drill bit, you are golden. Bring him some good beer.

Tin snips will work, a cutting wheel is cleaner. On the plastic side trim panels, I like to use tin snips for the initial cut, then smooth with a Dremel tool with a sanding barrel.

I don't recommend a cutting wheel for these, as they have a tendency to heat up and melt/warp the plastic. If you have a slow-speed Dremel, you might be okay.

[Miatamadman]

See he knows his stuff!

[bill_keksz]

...Tin snips will work, a cutting wheel is cleaner.

And make lots more noise, which is always cool.

On the plastic side trim panels, I like to use tin snips for the initial cut, then smooth with a Dremel tool with a sanding barrel.

I don't recommend a cutting wheel for these, as they have a tendency to heat up and melt/warp the plastic. If you have a slow-speed Dremel, you might be okay.

IIRC, I did all my plastic with a Dremel. Just go slow.

[ChristianL]

And make lots more noise, which is always cool.

Ooh! And sparks! Don't forget the sparks. Makes you look like you know what you're doing.

[Miatamadman]

Just bought a new torque wrench.

Will I need to have the car on jackstands to do the timing belt change? Also any special tools other than the proper 6 pt sockets?

[moxnix]

Also any special tools other than the proper 6 pt sockets?

A left handed screwdriver gives better access to some of the screws.

[Wind-n-Water]

And make lots more noise, which is always cool.

Ooh! And sparks! Don't forget the sparks. Makes you look like you know what you're doing.

Makes you feel like you're that evil dentist!

Also any special tools other than the proper 6 pt sockets?

A left handed screwdriver gives better access to some of the screws.

Make sure those are left handed METRIC screwdrivers. These are metric cars, after all!


I, unfortunately, will not be able to make it. Will be moved down to Hampton by then, and driving down to VIR that afternoon for DE w/ the Audi club. Y'all have fun and be safe!

[edited]Oops, that's on Sat not Sun. Scratch that above. I'll be windsurfing down at NC Outer Banks still!

[SilverTanLS]

Im heading to pep boys tommorow to buy turn signal fluid. Only takes 1/2 the bottle, anyone else need it? I'll just bring it along, just in case...

[Miatamadman]

Mike, any words of wisdom on the timing belt change? Is it easier to remove the A/C system while doing so, or could the removal be done after the timing belt job?

[mj71]

Mike, any words of wisdom on the timing belt change? Is it easier to remove the A/C system while doing so, or could the removal be done after the timing belt job?

There's nothing real special about the belt change that I can think of. Since I was doing 1000 other things to the car at the same time as the timing belt, I'm not the best judge. I will say that I got very lucky it all got done enough for me to drive home. I got to Ross' early and stayed very late. I was concentrating on the timing belt while a flurry of other folks were removing the A/C. You certainly don't want to remove the A/C unless you're sure all the charge has been removed.

[Miatamadman]

Does anyone have 2 C-clamps I can borrow for this job?

[mj71]

Does anyone have 2 C-clamps I can borrow for this job?

To use for? I don't recall needing them. If you're looking to hold the camshafts in position all you need are 2 wrenches and a set of vice-grips. I used Miata.net's Instructions and they show this method. Worked like a champ.

[Miatamadman]

I have almost memorized that one Mike. I also found this link to one with LOTS of pictures and I think that putting the top part of the belt on and using c clamps might be easier. Also I see there is 2 long bolts to keep them from moving.

Of course, to be safe, I will also like to have the pieces to do MNets way but I do not have vice grips or 2 crescent wrenches so either way I would need to borrow these, so anyone have these tools I could borrow?

Mike was the belt difficult to install? seems that is supposed to be the hardest part