Tree's Roadster

[WASABI]

Nice work, and a big kudos for making the best out of the car you have. Major props!

[treeafodo]

Thanks WASABI! I figure I have a pretty darn clean car (especially by what is available around here) minus a couple flaws and that one set back. I was going to have a a pretty generic Miata build prior to finding that damage. Now that it's there I have to take some steps that I wouldn't have, resulting in having a really cool, unique car in the end. I want to push through it to see that end result

[treeafodo]

Yesterday I bought a few small things to get some things done on the car.

I picked these up for cleaning the carpet up.
Cleaning Supplies by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

And I also went to Home Depot for the bolt I needed to put in the block. Gromit wanted to help me out. The bolt I needed was a M8x1.25x45mm bolt. Gromit measured to make sure it was 45mm. The OEM bolt for cars without ac is part number 9979-40-850 and retails for about $3. The bolt I found was 90 cents.
Gromit Helping Out by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

He found the bolt I needed and handed it to me.
Bolt Found! by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

These were the bolts. The ones on the sides can be removed, the one on the front has to be replaced.
The engine will be cleaned up after I pull it out.
Compressor Mount Bolts by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Old Bolts and the New One by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
New Bolt in Place by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

After I changed the bolt I started to clean the carpet. This is was I started with. The carpet smelled of stagnant swamp water because of all the leaks in the top. I highly doubt it has ever been cleaned.
Nasty Swamp Carpet by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Nasty Swamp Carpet by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

The stuff I bought was really easy to use. Sprinkle on, rub in, let sit for a while and then vacuum out.
Sprinkle On by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Rub In by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Vacuum Out by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

Look at the difference already! I'm going to return the bottle of "Spot Shot" and exchange it for another container of the powder since I used it all today. This stuff works really well! I'm going to go over it one more time, but I really don't need to. The carpet smells like fresh laundry now!
Clean! by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

I also brought my wiper arms to school on Friday and sandblasted them. The sandblaster is my new favourite thing. It makes life so much easier and quicker than sanding. Then I hung the arms from a tree branch and repainted them while cleaning the carpets.
Fresh Wiper Arms by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

[treeafodo]

I'm going to have to change the car's name. The Little Hobo will now have a home. I heard something I thought I would never hear in my life. My parents told me that they don't want to see the car sitting outside all winter, and that I could use the garage as storage and a place to work on it! I was shocked. I should have it cleared out by the weekend, only a few small things are left.
Cleaning out the Garage by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

When I got home from school today I looped the steering to be able to get the car inside the garage. If this is not the most ghetto loop you've ever seen I'd be surprised. I bent the upper hardline down and cut the other one. This is just temporary to get the car in the garage. Once it is in the garage I will depower it the FM way. As soon as I finished the loop it started to rain outside. Good timing.
Hackin It Up by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Ghetto Loop by Austin Rajki, on Flickr


While organizing my room today I stumbled across a small box. I was going to toss it out figuring it was garage. Before I threw it away I took a peek inside to find these. I completely forgot I ordered these. I ordered them over 2 years ago.
Luigi by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Pole Position by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

I also ordered a like new OEM heater core from Treasure Coast Miata since the one tube on mine was out of round. I'd rather play it safe than install everything only to have a leak. Cost me $61 Canadian after tax and shipping.

[treeafodo]

Not much of an update, but I got the car in the garage after work tonight. Little Hobo now has a home. I'm thinking of changing the name to Lexy.
It's not much, but I have a small heater in there and I no longer have to worry about keeping the car cover on it and trying to keep water out I'm still shocked I'm allowed to keep it in there since my parents usually keep their car inside come winter time. I was planning on buying a car port and working on it outside, in the back yard. This is so much better!
New Home! by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
New Home! by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

[treeafodo]

I love working in the garage. My time spent on the car doesn't revolve around what time the sun is up, or what the weather is like

Between last night and this morning I've removed a decent amount off the car. Evap has been deleted, I removed the A/C fan, coolant and washer fluid reserviors, as well as the airbag crash sensors.
Evap, Washer and Coolant reservoirs removed. by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

After a quick wipe down
After a quick wipe down by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Snakes by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

I took a break from the engine bay and removed the seat belt tower components, trim and parcel shelf cover.
Dirt by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

Oh look a cigar!
Cigar Anyone? by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Dirt by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

All the things I have removed that will not be going back on the car.
Weight Savings by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

Lexy is a dirty girl, but I find cleaning cars the most relaxing thing in the world. I'll pick up some Simple Green after school tomorrow then start a deeper clean.
I'm hoping to have the engine ready to be pulled out by next weekend. I'll have to see if I can borrow a cherry picker from someone since I don't have one.

Speaking of cleaning this is a picture of my Integra's bay when I bought it and now.
Integra by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Dirty Bays Done Dirt Cheap by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

[treeafodo]

Well, I removed the soft top from the car. Took all of 10 minutes. Good to see there was no rust between the body and the rain rail.
Soft Top Removed by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

The rain rail drains were really clogged...
Clogged Rain Rail Drain by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

I vacuumed the area, cleaned out the drains and then picked up a bottle of Simple Green. I love this stuff.
Simple Green by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

I went to town with the Simple Green.
Cleaned the rear shelf up as well as behind the seats.
Quick Clean by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

Cleaned out both door jambs as well as the transmission tunnel.
Dirty Door Jamb by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Clean Door Jamb by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

The sill under the dash/behind the wind shield.
Dirty Sill by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Clean Sill by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

And the area behind both fenders.
Dirty by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Clean by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

[—atank—]

Its nice having a garage to work on your Roadster, I love the dedication that you have for your Silverstone!!!!!!!

[WASABI]

Nice Job! It's great that you are saving this Silverstone. You are doing a lot of work, and now you really know what you're dealing with. Keep it going!!!!!

[treeafodo]

Thanks for the kind words, guys! I agree, the garage is amazing to have especially now that it's dark just after 5.

I still have a ton of work cut out for me, but I'm really enjoying it.

[treeafodo]

This morning I got quite a bit done in preparation for removing the engine and transmission.

Getting ready to take the shifter out. I removed the old boot, gave it a quick wipe down and then removed the shifter. Once the shifter was removed I sealed it up to prevent dirt from getting inside.
Time to Remove the Shifter by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Old, Rotted Boot by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Quick Wipe Down by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Shifter Out and Sealed by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

Then I started to undo all the connections on the engine. I came across this bracket between the oil filter and starter. It only has 1 bolt holding it in and it's not attached to anything. Does anyone know what it's for?
No Idea what this Bracket is for by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

Engine Harness Undone by Austin Rajki, on Flickr
Engine Harness Undone by Austin Rajki, on Flickr

I have class 2-5. After class I will continue where I left off. I'll drain the coolant and remove the rad.

To be continued...

[Sharpie]

Awesome job, but after seeing the Integra picture, I think you may have OCD issues ;-) Just kidding man, it's not usually a bad thing.

[treeafodo]

There's no denying I have OCD when it comes to cleaning cars.

[Golden Stallion]

been loving your progress so far. What are your goals as of right now and what do you plan on doing with removing the engine?

[— John J —]

You might want to consider seam welding the frame. FM has a great set of pictures for doing this while the car is disassemble.