New to the site, this is actually my first post. Thought I would get some input on my rebuild from a Mazda forum. Please give me heads up on some things to watch out for. Thanks

I have been taking some automotive classes here at college and have finally gotten to engine rebuilding and machining. Usually you would work on a car provided by the campus, but I decided to buy a broken down car of my own and rebuild that.
Here it is: My 1998 Mazda 4cyl 626 purchased for $565 dollars:






The car is in pretty good shape for $565 dollars. Decent body, new transmission, repaired front end, and decent interior. After I am done with the car I should easily break even, if I don't make a profit. I will probably use that money for another project car. Next time a nicer one.

Day 1: January 7, 2010 Worked from 2:30 to 5:30 PM

Brought in and began to unbolt engine:



While working, noticed small holes in the transmission bell housing:





Also discovered a hole in the engine block:





The "headers" are crushed:





The intake also could use some repair.

Accomplished today (3 hours):
Detached hood
Drained oil
Drained radiator
Unbolted Exhaust
Unbolted lower part of transmission
Unplugged wires
Here's what it looked like near the end of the day:




Parts needed as of January 7, 2010:
Passenger rear view mirror
Air bag assembly (probly won't bother)
Antenna
Headers
Engine block
Transmission bell housing
Windshield



Day 2: January 8, 2010 Worked from 2:00 to 4:00 PM

Today I got a lot more done today since I didn't have to take the time to get it in the garage. Most of the time was spent just working:
Acoomplished today:
Finished removing almost all wires and tubes
Removed air intake
Removed battery
Detached Power Steering
Unbolted more of the transmission

Here's the pics after I was done:



Detached Parts:



Things I am excited about:
New air filter already in the intake.
Things I am dissappointed in:
Forgot to put the battery in the trunk. Hope it is still there when I get back.

Parts Needed As of January 8
Passenger rear view mirror
Antenna
Headers
Lower Engine block
Transmission bell housing
Windshield

 

Saved for space

 

saved for space 2