I figured I would begin my build thread since I'm about to do my rebuild (next week).

Got the car in september. Was in very rough shape. Unfortunately I dont have pics of how it was pre-me doing stuff.

What was wrong:

Body damage: Door was destroyed, front fender bent, rear quarter dented, front lower valence destroyed, Windage tray thing (metal skidplate like thing) bent to ****.
Speedo Didn't work
Oil pressure non existent.
Brake Caliper (with no pads) FUBAR, along with the rotor (front right)
Oil everywhere in the engine bay.
Coolant leaking/rad shot.
1 bent rim
Seized wiper motor
Broken Cruise

Interior SHOT --> looks like the kid uninstalled a stereo by pulling at wires, almost all pieces were broken or missing. Radio gone, AC gone, Steering wheel with the 1 inch of play (forward/backward)


However, despite all the problems, the engine pulled freakin hard, I needed a project and the price seemed right ($600). As well it is/was an 85 GSL


On top of all of that, I went and picked it up, drove it to a gas station stopped and got out, shut the door (windows closed) so it just latched not fully shut, and the passenger side locked. Then i remembered the linkage for the outside handle was broken!! Spent awhile with a coat hanger through the moonroof bending it up by hand to no avail. Tow truck guy decided to be nice and help me out. Took about an hour total.


Started looking around, found a guy with alot of spare parts (crashed his V8 one and it split in half) about 3 hours away.


For 150 bucks i got: 2 doors with glass (no panels however), hood, metal moonroof, 4 wheels with good rubber, headlight buckets with motors, 2 seats good condition, A bunch of weather stripping, wiper motor and a bunch of other various stuff.

Got to work, replaced the doors, started to clean out the engine bay
New Rad
E-fan
Got a bunch of new hoses
Took out cruise unit and stuff like that



Took a proper look at all of the oil everywhere, figured i was so deep in i might as well pull the engine and do a rebuild. Pulled it apart and discovered this:



Went ****! And once again consulted the Guru's on this site. Was pointed out i could get cheap parts if i joined Mazdamotorsports. Which I did and ordered some new engine parts at a huge discount, including a Rotor Housing.

Spec'd all my other parts and everything seems to be in spec.

Soo, started looking around, and searching etc. decided to go with an Atkins full rebuild kit. Arrived in the mail shortly after ordering it. Discovered they forgot my pilot bearing and seal.

Sent them an email, they express shipped it out. Great to deal with, I highly recommend them

Am going to rebuild after my last exam on the 23 and go from there. Have some upgrades in mind but for now I just want to get the engine in, the break in process going and then consider the future.

 

K so the pictures didn't quite work out how i wanted but i dont actually know how to make them big in the thread. weird.

As well, replaced the front brake rotors and calipers. Got some sweet prices on Rockauto.com

More pics


Some more pictures
Car in the shop

Some parts coming out and going in


Nabob coffee can lid FTW in covering the carb

Interior with new seats and doors

The other side with new door