Get your phone on a small tripod and use a remote to trip it.
Set it up over a white paper and make a mini photo studio
Four of my girls want to know what color the Miata is

bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 8:29 am 2- ALWAYS use the designation "pry points" on the cam cover... NEVER stick a screwdriver between the cover and the cylinder head. See that big screwdriver gouge? Not good!
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He was probably some kind of tractor mechanic... the guy I bought the car from was out in the country, and he definitely didn't know what he was doing. He told me a shop "rebuilt the top end" but I never got any more specifics. Glad to have it fixed now!
Hey, you gotta do something with all those parts lying around! I love doing this kind of engine work... I feel accomplished looking at all of it wrapped up!matthew1 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 9:45 am You don't know how much this makes me want to buy a P80, a hoist and a stand and do a full engine-out refresh/upgrade. I've still got a few dozen parts, things like Japanifold, fresh gaskets, IPD HD CBV kit, who knows what else. Lots.
I'd do it much like this, BMDub. Take my time and do it right.
I suppose I could park my VW on the street for a few months. I have a 1-bay garage. Sorry for the hijack.
Yes 1998 was a split year but the part I bolded (about switching) is not entirely true.RickHaleParker wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:39 pmEngine serial numbers up to and including 1266127: Hydraulic Tensioner.bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:25 pm It seems to be a tossup for '98s. Most people say their '98 has a hydraulic tensioner, but most that I've seen in person are mechanical
Engine serial numbers 1266128 and above: Mechanical Tensioner.
You cannot switch from one to the other, there are difference on the front of the block.
I've heard this too, this car may have even been converted since the original tensioner that I removed had a bend arm on top (the ones that go around the casting on the block). No clearance issues installing the new one, so I'm not sure why somebody bent it up.erikv11 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 6:29 pm Yes 1998 was a split year but the part I bolded (about switching) is not entirely true.
Several people have documented making the switch from mechanical to hydraulic on 1998 blocks, for a while some favored making this change. The bolt holes for both are there on the block. I'm not sure about other years. Hydraulic and mechanical have different rear plastic timing covers though, and of course each uses a different timing belt.