Santawillis

@popovm She is originally a west coast car! Only indication is the little paperwork I have and the "San Diego Yatch Club" sticker on the front windshield. This was a shakedown drive, obviously I have found some sort of larger issues. Compression seems fine, I did notice the fuel filter is not filling with fuel anymore, it could be that I have a clogged line or the pump is on its way out, the more I drove the slower she went. Plugs and cables are brand spanking new, I have not chaced any vacumn issues because I am not very familiar with it, I have to do some more research to see what I can plug and what NEEDS to be connected so it runs okay. So my order of operations right now is as follows! 1- Check tank sender for any debris on the screen, I will replace the lines to the filter as they are a bit....sad. 2- If I am still not getting sufficient fuel, I will replace the pump and or sender and see if that solves the issues with the fuel 3- Vacumn lines have to be cleaned up and routed correctly, I am terrible at that and as a newbie I need to get some literature 4- Calipers will be triple checked for sticking, the car is slowing down considerably when I depress the clutch and I am pretty sure I am not in one pedal driving mode 5- If I am missing anything, please let me know! You guys have been AWESOME so far with helping me with this project, and I appreciate all of the input! Rafael

Hi @John76, Great suggestions, I had a hunch this was a California 2002. Calipers were purchased used but the pistons were checked before installation to see if they moved freely, I did replace the rear brake cylinders, shoes, and drums, it has a brand new master cylinder, pads, rotors, and braided lines. The E-Brake is fully loosened and all four wheels moved freely prior to the drive, so I was not sure if the front calipers are all that seized, it could be my return spring on my brake pedal. The clutch seemed fine on the drive but the release point is very high. I think you assumed that I am spending money on performance parts, most of my spending on bare basics! Finally got some fresh tires on all four corners, new engine and transmission mounts, new hoses, a radiator, and a fluid change in the transmission, differential, and engine. I will check timing, I really appreciate all of the suggestions on getting my lil junkyard rescue back on the road!

@Dudeland attached fresh photos of the engine bay! The history of the car is... non-existent but I made sure to refresh everything I could financially do lol, Carb is a Weber 32/26, and I do have twin side-draft 45s coming eventually! @John76 I know! It would NOT move in 3rd gear, 2nd gear was a major struggle so maybe my calipers are sticking?

Hello! After 6 months, countless hours of sweat, and mostly tears I finally took the 2002 for a drive! I have named her Frida, and she did a great job braking, shifting, and turns extremely well into corners. But she is SLOW, and I mean shift into second, and struggles up a small hill in Illinois, is this normal? My tach is not working and I have a sizeable hole in my exhaust that will get sorted, I also had some smoke coming from the front calipers but am marking that as maybe brake bedding and break-in. I am afraid of overshooting the redline and am short shifting; I did come from the world of E30s which may be a tad different, any input is appreciated I am extremely excited and happy to get this one back on the road and am looking forward to many many miles together. IMG_6589.MOV

Hello All, Picked up a nice 1976 2002 Project and I cannot figure out what is happening with the brakes anymore. I set out with an original post but just when I thought I figured out the main issue I am running into extremely bizarre scenarios. 1 - Car came with a brake master in the trunk (hint hint) and so I purchased a brand spanking new master and found that no fluid was making its way to the furthest part of the master, replaced all of the rubber parts on the old master and was able to get fluid flowing through the whoel master. I was getting plenty of fluid in the front calipers but no fluid to the rear drums so a fellow enthusiast suggested new flexible hoses, bought braided hoses. 2- Fluid was not reaching the rear drums, replaced all flexible hoses on all corners of the car with braded and was finally able to get fluid to the rear of the car but now I am not getting any fluid to the front calipers ( Why!) 3- System is holding pressure well, tried to bleed by pressuring the resovoir (not exceeting 10 PSI) and nothing, bought a Mityvac pressure bleeder and tried to suck fluid out of the bleeders and nothing. I am losing my mind. What am I doing wrong? Is this a hard line replacement? Do I have a clog? Am I bleeding incorrectly? Is this a new booster?

Just when I thought things were going in the right direction. I am now not getting fluid to the front calipers after successfully bleeding the rear brakes. Is this potentially a clogged hard line problem?

@Dudeland I got it fluid is reaching the rear line. I swapped the master with the old master and that seemed to do it! Replaced all of the rubber bits but bizarre that the new master which has identical dimensions does not work.

@Dudeland I used a photo from the interwebs to draw on with my phone, didnt have one of my engine bay but I think I will take one today!

Okay, here is an update. Got new braided lines for the front and rear to isolate that problem and found no fluid coming to those hard lines at all (albeit these hoses were very swollen so I am glad I got that going). This led me to a rabbit hole related to either the "T" or the master. I tried to bench bleed and found no fluid is reaching the furtherst line on the master (see photo) and also bypassed the proportioning valve found on the the 76s to isolate that as well. @TobyB I think it may be the master not being installed correctly. Will try to remove it tomorrow to take a look, may even try the old master to see if there are any improvements!

@John76I will for sure check the lines. I just realised that we may need to bench bleed the master!!!! That may do it. I will try all of the above.

@halboyles Ah, did forget to mention the brake MC was purchased from FCP new ( the MC that was in the car was the incorrect one, go figure). I will try yanking that sucker out and see if everything is lined up correctly, thank you for the suggestion!

Good Morning/Afternoon, Recently picked up this beauty that has been sitting idle for an unkown period of time, found some parts in the trunk (always a clue there) including new brake master, clutch master, and clutch slave. Went ahead and swapped out everything in the brake system, new calipers, all parts of the drums replaced, new pads, and installed the new masters and the clutch slave. While attempting to bleed the system I found that there is no fluid comign out of the brake master (disconnected the lines out of the brake master and nothing coming out) even when pressing on the brake pedal. Brake pedal feels firm but no fluid is reaching any of the brakes. Any ideas? Am I missing something? Brake booster seems to be okay, no major leaks and pedal is returning. Rafael

@estyI have tried, but that tire size is actually hard to find, posting in the miata forums as well. It actually does not roll very well, its extremely mismatched and dry rotted. Finally got the project to a point where I can test drive it down the street but wanted at least some semi-non rotted tires but wanted to save up for the tires I actually want over the winter if that makes sense. Seeing if anyone had a used set they wanted out of their way. Seems like you dont have any but I appreciate it!

@estyhonestly just looking for something to get a roller project going before buying a good set of tires. My current setup is mismatched doesn't have to be new or in perfect condition

I am in the midweast( Illinois) so anything that is close I can pick up

@joysterm any leaks on this?

Hello, Wanted a functioning, non leaking radiator that can be used with the mechanical fan, can be aluminum or brass.

Preferably if they are functional or just need new seals (not ceased).

That color looks fantastic! Great work!

And @Tommy is correct, the grill was purchased from Germany, car was purchased in Illinois but was originally a California/Arizona car @Mike Self. Interesting interior combination and was a respray from its original Granatrot metallic. Original photos from listing and a small post first start video!

Thank you all for your input! Currently seeing if the seller will accept a return but he stands that this is a 2002 grill and should fit perfectly and has sold quite a few that have had no issues. Is there a gasket that I am missing? Any other possible reason this is not fitting? Here is the car without the grill from reference, just trying to solve this mystery in the most cordial way possible with the seller as he says the front nose is dented and is the reason the part will not fit. Pardon the condition of the car I am working on it Rafael 1e1a0bbd-fba3-498e-bb06-e895e851dab6.jfif