Mark & Adam novice build (father & son) Lancashire

[mark1]

Hi

We are just starting our build and we have not ordered our kit yet.

Adam is 9 and we are to try and build this together.

I have an office job and no knowledge of cars.

I have been to college one night a week for two years to do a city and guilds level 1 & 2 in light vehicle maintenance.  Hopefully this will give me the skills to build the exocet.

We already have an mx5 mk1 merlot that we enjoy keeping original.  This has now been stored for the winter.

The build is to take place in our single garage and on our drive.  I hope that it can be done like this.  We have cleared out the garage.

The donor is a 1994 eunos s-special 1.8.  This was an mot failure due to rusty sills etc.,

We will start stripping the car this weekend.

Wish us luck!!

Mark & Adam

[martinw]

Welcome Mark and Adam .

There have been a number of father / son combos building various cars on the forum.....and glad you've joined the fold.

Loads of help available on here, and some very knowledgeable people too. Nothing is ever too stupid to ask....so don't hesitate if you're ever scratching your head .

Probably not too far from me - south Manchester, near Altrincham - but I do really know nowt about MX5s  .

Good luck, and enjoy the build.

Martin

[gwnwar]

Welcome Mark and Adam.. Nice looking work shop..
If you would please read the Red White Blue in my post and add your donor info and location to your profile signature. This will show on your thread/post it will help with trouble shooting problems you might have..
Check this for wiring info.. www.mx5usedparts.co.uk/media/MX5-Wiring_Diagram_94-98_UK_Mk1.pdf
AND this www.mellens.net/mazda/Mazda-Miata-1994/index.html
A couple of things.. loosen the center front and rear axle nuts while you still have brakes, label both sides of each connector,
Red flag each ground set of wires so you get them all reinstalled, make up 4 pieces of 2x4 or pipe 8" long to put between the upper inner part of each control arm and the lower shock mount to support the skate before you remove the body so you can roll it, drain fuel tank drain under tank left side forward.. Spray all thread you can with rust spray and wire brush threads.. Use 6 point sockets
on underside bolts and nuts..
Ask questions we are help.. Have fun stay safe..

[p2tav]

hi Mark and Adam,

welcome to the build forum

sounds like your in a good position to tackle the kit, the best advice i was given was to make sure you enjoy the build and dont let it get on top of you. I would say have plenty of brakes and dont let it become the bee all and end all as it will still be there in the morning. The people on hear are very knowledgeable and have invaluable experience so use there advice as it will really help when you get brain freeze (as i have a few times) . I'm a few months in now and have just got to the point of needing my Kit to move on. I have really enjoyed the tear down and rebuild of the donor car it gives you a lot of satisfaction when you can see something for your hard work. 

Enjoy and keep in touch (dont forget to have fun)


ps Take more photos than you think you will need and from all angles.


Paul  

[h20boynz]

Good luck guys...have fun, take your time and enjoy the journey.

[mark1]

Thanks for all the support guys.

She is starting to look a lot lighter now.

[mark1]

Hi

We have nearly stripped the car completely including doors , windscreen, bonnnet, boot, bumpers interior etc.,

Is it possible for four people to lift the remaing body up by hand then a fifth person roll the skate from underneath and then put the body back down on some blocks.

The manual says the body weighs 250kgs which sounds heavy but I’m not sure if that included the doors etc.,

Cheers

Mark & Adam

[fatboy]

Hi the lift is not the problem 4 can pick a body shell up quite easily but you will still probably have 1 wire or pipe still connected so you would need someone to release them by crawling under the car not recommend!!!!

[Stiggy]

Could be 300 kg depending on your donor. That is 75kg each with 4, then you are asking for trouble, hire a engine crane or buy one and stick it back on ebay when you have used it once, much safer, put your back out or your mates and you will regret it.

[sheffjohn]

Would second the engine crane idea. It's not that the shell is heavy, just awkward. Engine Crane lifting roughly centrally and 2 people is much safer.

[tj]

I did this a couple of weeks ago, thought it would work with 4 people, but it’s not practical to lift it and move considering the height you need to lift it to.

I used and engine crane and it was much easier, safer and needed less people.

PS I am near you (Sale, south manchester) and building an Exocet with my son too (16).

[p2tav]

hi mark, Adam,


I bought a block and tackle of ebay for £20 or so and suspended it from my garage roof it worked a treat as u can lift it a bit at a time and then simply roll the power plant out then lower onto some rollers or pallet. this was easily done with 2 people. 


hope this helps,


regards paul






upload full resolution photos

[mark1]

Hi

We are near to getting rid of the body. Is there anything I need to take off and keep like the ID plate at the back right of the engine.

I will keep this although not sure if I have to. Is there anything else like that?

Cheers

Mark & Adam

[hammy3601]

Feb 24, 2018 9:43:32 GMT mark1 said:

Hi

We are near to getting rid of the body. Is there anything I need to take off and keep like the ID plate at the back right of the engine.

I will keep this although not sure if I have to. Is there anything else like that?

Cheers

Mark & Adam

Dont forget the suspension top seat thingys (technical term)

[snowbird1]

Might be worth chiseling off the front brake pipe brackets.