gm's unhealthy obsession with mx5s - must be summer - the toys are back :)

[gm]

but if we're doing the cooling system, we might as well do the waterpump

and if we're doing the water pump, we might as well do the timing belt

and if we're doing the timing belt, we might as well do the cam and crank seals

and that thermostat cover needs a clean up too

[gm]

I've been accumulating parts for a while now, so had a thermostat ready to go in

anyone spot the problem ?

I emailed the supplier for advice, they had a quick look and found that I had ordered a 1.8 'stat, not the 1.6 that I needed. being as that was back in august, I didn't dare ask for an exchange so just ordered a new one

in the meantime, I stuck my spare cam cover on to keep the dust out

while I cleaned this one up

 

[gm]

a few coats of wheel silver and that cam cover is looking good

my goldilocks 'stat arrived

and I got to stick everything back together again

 

[gm]

a rummage in my parts box turned up two sets of plugs - but which ones to use ?

I'll just use the same as what came out, just much much cleaner

add a replacement radiator to the shopping list

and don't forget the oil

[gm]

a new set of leads went on

the exhaust heat shield got a coat of high temp paint (wonder how long that will last ?)

I gave the block a flush with the hose and filled with fresh coolant, checked over everything and turned the key.....

started first time  big relief 

there was a rattle from the water pump pulley that I'd forgotten to tighten but it quickly settled into a smooth idle

time to test my newest gadget

coolant is circulating nicely

into the heater matrix

and out again

 

[gm]

I'd say that was a pretty thorough engine service :

 

oil & filter

spark plugs & leads

water pump, thermostat, radiator, coolant hoses, coolant

air filter

timing belt & tensioners

power steering belt, alternator belt

crank and cam seals, cam O ring, cam cover gasket

 

and it's running beautifully now. 

still needs a clutch  

 

 

 

[gm]

being as the mazda desperately needs a clutch, I got on with some important jobs

new stereo and usb socket fitted

and a £1.99 sunstrip off aliexpress

hmm, looks a bit plain - needs some sort of finishing touch

that's better  

[Tickman]

Loads of stuff done there, proper progress.

[gm]

the thought crossed my mind that my old mx5 must be due for an mot soon - i should look it up and see how it got on

last year it only just scraped a pass with plenty of advisories for corrosion

so this came as a surprise 

 scrolling down the page i noticed it seems to have a make over

plenty of advisories again

and zero miles recorded - which is odd as last year it had…

something quite strange going on here, it’s been tested each year by our very own @scaryoldcortina who suggested last year that things were getting “a bit grim” on the underside  

good to see it’s still on the road, it may have been a scruff but it drove so well - long live the mighty mx5 ! 

[scaryoldcortina]

It's got two test histories and two different vin numbers on the system (one with a dash and one without) so this tester must have picked the other record to the one I used for seven years!

[gm]

found it ! and it’s for sale - oh dear

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FQiWKTa61/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

[Tickman]

That is one way to fix sills and other rusty bits hide rust

[davehedgehog31]

2 hours ago, gm said:

found it ! and it’s for sale - oh dear

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FQiWKTa61/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

The mind boggles... 

[DVee8]

What the fucks happened to that...

[gm]

exo news 

you may recall that a few years back, there was an "incident" which caused a bit of front end damage

which was skilfully* repaired using some scraps of aluminium and PU adhesive

and cunningly disguised with a set of shark teeth

three years on, I thought it about time to do a better job

nice practical motor, this here 'onda

and brought it home for a bit of sanding

a tin of lidls finest bodge

and more sanding

the cut outs for the aero-catches won't be reused so might as well fill them too

 

a tube of poundland epoxy was used to fix the mesh

set solid overnight

time for more bodge

and more lidl bargains

sand, fill, sand, fill, etc

not too bad, lets fling a bit of paint at it

oh dear, not exactly my best work

a few more coats and it's improved a bit 

needed a new numberplate too

]\

and stick it back on the car ready to come out of hibernation on 1st april

looks so plain and boring without the shark teeth, I've ordered a new set  

 

 

 

[gm]

but wait a minute - it's the 1st April today ! the mazda still needs a new roof before it can live outside so the exo needs to stay away for little bit longer  

and there might be a top secret new project arriving soon  

 

 

[gm]

speaking of the mx5, remember how it needs a new clutch ? 

the prospect of lying on my back wrestling a gearbox into place filled me with dread so I arranged to drop it off at @scaryoldcortina's garage

but it was slipping quite badly by now  

no matter, I arranged for my sister to follow me in the disastra (officially to give me a lift home but also just in case)

Andy's place is on top of one of the highest hills in the county, there is no easy route there - I chose one with least traffic and crossed my fingers

keeping up momentum I conquered the hills  

with only a mile of flat roads to go, I my passenger thought it a good time to take a video of how bad this clutch is

which was a stupid idea because pulling away at the next junction, I lost all drive ! twat !

fortunately I had come prepared and the last mile was done on the yellow rope of shame

it is having a lightweight flywheel fitted at the same time plus a set of braided brake lines so should be a whole load of fun when it comes home  

but this one is definitely* not going on track  

 

[stuboy]

great work, i still yet too drive one or passanger in one

[gm]

while the mx5 was away up at andy’s, i had no toys to play with so had no option but to rescue the Exo  

i brought it home and gave it a quick check over, no obvious problems so time to put the pretty wheels on

this time remembering to fit the spinach rings 

i bought these last year but never got round to fitting - they’re only 1mm thick so not critical but no harm in doing things right for a change  

looking good 

and time for a hoon !

still a bit chilly but so much fun !

@NorthernMonkey you should probably get one of these  

[gm]

meantime, up at the garage, andy found someone had been a bit clumsy in the past 

that bolt is about 10” long and wasn’t coming out without a fight - a replacement was obtained from the mazdadudes and battle commenced 

andy 1 - knackered diff bolt 0 

 

[gm]

“jesus christ, who the hell has been driving this !”

unsure if that is the original clutch but the car is only on 70,000milos 

[gm]

a new clutch and a replacement lightened flywheel were fitted together with main and gearbox seals, a hydraulic clutch line and slave cylinder 

and she’s home 

and driving very nicely 

i gave it a much needed wash and headed to lumley castle for pretty pictures 

big thanks to @scaryoldcortina for sorting out the clutch for me - i believe there is another mx5 heading your way very soon  

( @Mi30n )

[NorthernMonkey]

13 minutes ago, gm said:

“jesus christ, who the hell has been driving this !”

unsure if that is the original clutch but the car is only on 70,000milos 

I reckon it’s about time you got yourself a nice sensible little automatic, perhaps one of those lovely little Honda Jazz hatchbacks like Gwynne and Arthur from the garden centre drive? 🤔

[gm]

now that Exo has taken over the garage (also it appears to have shrunk !) the poor little mazda is demoted to living outside  

this was not a problem last year as it came with a hardtop roof

which I sold as I was definitely going to replace the knackered soft top over the winter

hmm, six months later...

nothing else for it, bought another hardtop !

maybe I'll paint this one to match the car ? 

or maybe I'll definitely replace the knackered soft top ?

at least it's watertight again  

[gm]

last time I was chatting to fellow Exocet builder Gordon, he asked me how I had managed to 'reset' the mileage on my speedo ?

so I brought his dashboard home with me and set about removing those 104307 milos

carefully remove that tiny circlip and chase it around the room

gently slide the tumblers along 

and reposition as appropriate

sorted 

and while I'm in there

looks great - he was thrilled to bits when I dropped them off and he spotted the sticker  

he is now at the stage that everyone dreads and it's time to "do" the wiring - good luck, we'll soon have those numbers moving again !

 

 

[stuboy]

great work

[scooobydont]

On 20/04/2026 at 20:23, gm said:

now that Exo has taken over the garage (also it appears to have shrunk !) the poor little mazda is demoted to living outside  

this was not a problem last year as it came with a hardtop roof

which I sold as I was definitely going to replace the knackered soft top over the winter

hmm, six months later...

nothing else for it, bought another hardtop !

maybe I'll paint this one to match the car ? 

or maybe I'll definitely replace the knackered soft top ?

at least it's watertight again  

If you get the hard top painted, get it painted black. This way it still looks like a soft top and when you come to sell it, it will be suitable for any mx5 colour making it easier to sell. 

[gm]

not too sure on what colour for the hardtop, probably black but blue does look good.

 

[dome]

Excellent to see the progress here👌 

Please tell me that purple abomination isn't the same car I hurtled around Knockhill in with you?

[Dick Cheeseburger]

22 hours ago, gm said:

not too sure on what colour for the hardtop, probably black but blue does look good.

 

This one on the BM8s along with a black hardtop is the perfect mk1, I reckon. One of my old mk1s came on a set of BM8s and it looked great despite the really rough paintwork. 

I followed a mk1 the other day and had forgotten just how tiny they actually are. I guess the modern obesity thing with most cars doesn't help perspective though.