Miata Mailing List: February 2000, Message #433

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In a message dated 00-02-02 23:59:27 EST, fletch@powerlink.co.nz writes:

<< Can some-one with a factory manual look up and see what it says about
 checking piston to bore gap with feeler gauges?
 
 My non-miata specific books indicate you "usually" measure the gap at the
 skirts, ie. 90 degrees in relation to the pin.
 
 The Miata enthusiast manual says "measure several places, and see what the
 biggest gap is"
  >>

Measure the outer diameter of the piston at right angle to the pin and below 
the oil control ring's lnad's lower edge.

Hope it will help, Fletch, and that you have the tolerance numbers. I have 
them for the 1600 series, but not for the 1800, and was not sure waht you 
have.

BTW, when rebuilding engines (both foreign and domestic), I used to routinely 
have the piston skirts knurled before reassembling (when I did not replace 
the pistons, of course). Is this a common practice with the Miata ???

Cheers -- Sonja C.