Hi all, I just bought a 90 Miata from my neighbor for $500.00. The body is in perfect shape, he added a new top last year for $450.00 and a new clutch with new tires. There is not a mark on the body. After he did all the work, the crankshaft failed, so he had a new one put in costing about $2,000.00. Earlier this year the new one failed, or he thinks it did. He only drove the car for about 2500 miles after the new crank was installed. The engine will try to turn over, but he noticed the bottom polley will not turn. Could it be the crankshaft again, and if so, I would rather install a newer engine, say from a 93 or newer. Any ideas on where I can get one and how much?

Any advice would be helpful.

Dave

 

Sounds like a nice car although it will not run. The case you described sounds like a broken crank if the starter is cranking and the crank pulley dosen't turn. I would definetly replace the engine as it seems to have a problem eating cranks...or the previous owner drove it VERY hard.