Miata Mailing List: December 1999, Message #466

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My Red 1990 miles keep adding up.. especially after the forthcoming
1300 mile road trip to Minnesota I plan to do on Monday the 6th.

The tappets make a little noise in the morning when I first start her
up and I am thinking of having at least the top end rebuilt.  She also
puffs out a little gray smoke from time to time when I start her up
cold.  Smoke goes away after a few minutes.

But, I also must accept the fact that my VIN is very low and the bad
crank issue does not play in my favor.  Thus, I am also considering
rebuilding the whole thing or buying a new engine.

Are new 1.6L engines available?
Any one have numbers on rebuilding the top end and/or the whole
engine?
Can I bolt in a 1.8L into my 1990 chassis?  What would I have to
change?

Thanks alot.

- JT