mx3 engine swap

[ganue]

Please add your location in the user control panel so we can see where you are - you might be on my block for all I know and can help immediately.

<My Opinion ON>
In lieu of that, how many miles on the car? These engines don't die too easily < 150,000 miles unless there is knowingly some abuse. Having said that - if the car has less than 150,000 miles on it - save your money and put it back together and see what you are dealing with. If nothing else, putting it all back together will make it easier to do a second time and at your convenience. If it doesn't work, put the money you would have spent as a down payment on a KLZE. >150,000? - just get a KLZE and end the effort!!
<My Opinion OFF>

[Thefez]

I was going to say the same thing theres a few of us if not more that know mech work or these motors very well that are very willing to help:)

[stevesei]

Two cents worth: Put a water pump on it now, because it's a b----h to pull everything apart if you do it later. If it turns out you have a bad engine, move the new pump to the replacement engine. There are two shaft diameters, so your existing pulley would have to go with the pump, but other than that, the pump fits all of the V-6s.

Also, triple check the timing of the cams. Once they are timed properly, the distributor only installs one way. If it sounds good, has good compression, but doesn't run, the distributor is the next thing to check. They can fail without warning, or partially fail and cause all sorts of strange running issues.

If you haven't found it already, this site has the full shop manual for the standard MX-3, both V-6 and L-4. (Daninski posted a link)

One more thing. These are robust engines, but use good sense and some care. They are entirely aluminum and don't respond well to the 'get a bigger hammer/wrench' school of mechanicking. Check the manual and the forums here if you have any difficulties.

Cheers, and have fun. The cars are a ball when given some TLC.

Steve

[MazdaMech]

Thanks for the info, this is good stuff, earmarking for later.

[Cornelius]

I got the new water pump on. I went by the manual and was trying to retime the motor. I got the cam shafts to line up for the most part, but when I try to turn the crank it spins freely at first but locks up. I tried turning it the other way and maybe half a turn that way it locks up.

Do I have to turn the cam shafts as I turn the crank? I was told this wasn't an interference motor but I don't want to be bending any valves.

Any reason the crank locks up half a turn either way?

Thanks!

[RobMinhas]

Are the plugs still in? Compression would be stopping you from turning it over.