NA Restoration Failure / New Project

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
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  1. My model of MX-5 is: NA 1.6
  2. I’m based near: Stafford
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: a restoration project

Im a new member and this is my first post, so if ive said or done anything dumb, please let me know, but be kind.

I’ve owned and loved my 5 for many many years, but garaged it and left it untouched about 15 years ago.

My father passed away in May last year and i decided that i wanted to use some inheritance to get my 5 back on the road.

I spoke to a local “mx5 specialist” garage who agreed to look at it and they advised that they could help get it back on the road (running at least) for about £4.5k

They took delivery last October, removed the engine and front axel, did some welding and rust treatment, but then work stalled despite visits and calls to the workshop every week.

Yesterday a mechanic from the garage called me, as he had been brought in to complete the work.

He advised that the engine was effectively toast, and that to complete the work the initial quote was unrealistic.

The descision was made to cut my losses, and have the car put together as a rolling chassis and retun it home on the back of a flatbed.

My point at last after all the ramblings…
As of today i have a high mileage, pretty crusty non running NA that i am emotionally attached to and only reluctantly would part with.
I have a couple of new rear arch panels, suspension and various other parts that ive paid the garage for.

I work a regular 9 to 5 office job, have a large garage / workspace, a limited budget, very few tools and next to no mechanical experience, but a desire to get this car back on the road in some form.

If i source a new engine, realistically would this project be beyond my abilities amd admit its time to knock it on the head, or do you think that its something a complete amateur who likes a challenge could hunker down and give it a go?

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Photos not from my own garage space unfortunately!!
Thanks everyone.

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How unrealistic was the initial quote, how much more would you need to find, and how much have you paid the 'specialist ’ so far?

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So ive paid £3400 to the garage, for some welding underneath and rust proofing, a new battery, a timing belt kit, radiator, clutch kit, and refurbished wheels and some other suspension bits and pieces.

I dont understand why they didn’t check the engine and try to get it running first, before making the wheels look nice, but hey im no mechanic.

The replacement mechanic estimated it would take a few more thousand to have it done to his standard.

Im keen to not let work that they have done, or the money go to waste

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A replacement engine isn’t the biggest bill you’ll have in your project.
Especially if you keep like-for-like, so there’s nothing more than swapping the block. No ECU changes or similar.

There is also a silver lining here.

If you have a known-good replacement engine, then while it’s out its the perfect time to do all the belts, fit a fresh clutch etc.

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I had a car restored once at a company that claimed to be a specialist restorer. They made it all look shiny, painted the wheels etc.

Roll on some months and the wheels had gone rusty because they’d just painted on to the rust. The front wings were breaking off the car due to rust, etc. etc. etc.

The next restoration (again a specialist restorer) had to undo all the work of the previous restorers, doubling the price, because of the amount of filler etc. etc. etc. found where there should have been new metal etc. etc. etc.

Not saying that this is the case with the garage your car was at, but I can’t help thinking that all of the £3400 spent should have left you with a crust-free example and not one you still describe as “pretty crusty”, since a solid structure is the most important part of the car.

Did they say what about the engine was toast? Why did they need to get another mechanic in? The impression you’re giving in the first post is they just wanted it out of their workshop and out of their way so work with a faster turn-around could take place.

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Looks like you have a very early car as this is a short nose crank engine.

There are real experts and enthusiasts on here that know more about ecu requirements.

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Hi Bott, welcome aboard.

If your car is now physically sound where it matters then the remainder is all doable.

Do you have a time frame in mind? If it’s open ended then there is no reason why you can’t tackle all of the mechanical work yourself.
You might even be able to attend to the cosmetics eventually if your garage space is large enough.

Where abouts are you? There may be another member who has greater technical and mechanical experience who would be prepared to lend a hand.

Generally speaking these cars are simple to work on with the right tools. There are plenty of YouTube channels that deal with MX-5s/Miatas and a great deal of availability for spares and parts.

Good luck with your project. I hope you get your car back on the road in due course and it would be a treat to follow your journey here in the forums if you care to share.
All the best,
Guy

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Honestly that was my expectation, that id have at the least a roadworthy vehicle after that kind of outlay.
Its been a frustrating experience, the garage owner was very likeable and positive he could do the work, but personal and internal issues meant he had to pull in favours from other friends to get the car back.
From what i understand as the engine started being taken apart it was full of some anti oil leak gunk that had solidified, and youre right, i dont think they fancied doing the work.

Its now back home albeit in more parts than when it left and i think im going to have a go and replacing the engine and anything else that needs it while there is acceess.

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