Just bought a 93 626 dx

[fuzzypuppy]

Hello to all who frequent this board.
I have been a long time poster on the GMC section of this board but just bought a 93 dx today and could use the help of the more Mazda savoy people I hope to find here.
This car is to be my fix up project that I hope to have back on the road again soon, since I have not obtained the repair manual yet or even had the car towed to my house yet I'll post what I know for the moment.
93 dx, 4cyl, 5 speed, with 175.000 mi there are a few problems I need to address just to get it on the road.
The guy I bought it from stated that there was alot of lifter noise, confirmed to be lifter noise by his "mechanical" father, then the car started to smoke from the exhaust so he deceided to do a valve job but gave up on it after starting to pull the head, he got as far as getting one cam out.
This is where it stands and where I start from.
I have read that these engines do have a problem with the valve train, Since the valve cover is off I was able to check out the lifters and cam's neither show visable wear on their mating surface yet from what I understand the problem is with the hydrolic operation of the lifters, any info or clarfication on this would be greatly appreciated.
Could this problem account for the smoke? I don't know mazdas well but not too bad at GM products, if like a GM I figure I'll be installing a set of rings since I don't see how that much smoke could be caused from oil passing the guide's, they'd have to be pretty damn shot for that, but then like I said I don't know mazda's.
First thing after I get to my house I'll be putting it back together so I can check compression to confirm piston ring condition.
The guy said it ran fine was just noisy and smoky.
I guess thats about it for now.
Any input on this would be appreciated.

[fuzzypuppy]

Wow no one huh, I guess I'll have to find another board for the mazda, I wonder why there are no mazda tech's here there are a ton on the gm section.

[2000izusu]

what you are seeing is very common with this motor. my brother has a 92 with 264,000 miles on it. at 231,000 motor blew at 210,000 lifters got noisey and he had them replaced. they are expensive compared to domestic lifters! on with the story. well at 231,000 he had a junkyard motor installed with 90,,000 miles (yeah right). the lifters are noisey when cold out but go away after 3min or running. but this junkyard motor smokes for 5min in the morning when it is blow 30 degrees out. smokes less in the summer (1min). he was told it was the valve seals because it only does it on cold start up. but who knows. it also passes a slight blue cloud when taking off in first gear when warm. now the kicker. the motor only uses half a quart between oil changes? he is just goig to run it till it is toast. also the car i have been talking about is a 5 speed. the autos didn't last long. thats why you don't see to many on the road. mike

[fuzzypuppy]

Thanks mike, So the problem with the mazda I just got may indeed be just in the head, (lifters) I will be doing the work myself so even if the lifters are a bit more expensive It would be ok.
The car I just got is a manual 5 speed with what I'm told is a brand new clutch, I would have passed on the car if it were an auto since I have read about the problems with these, it also has just had a brand new distributor installed, (I have read that these are a problem as well).
I don't really plan on keeping the car too long, I will be selling it a month or two after getting it running to pay for my next project.
I have a couple of receint medical issues where people don't seem to want to give me a regular job "with diabetes and a heart condition I can't pass med exam" so this is how I will be making money to help support my family.
I have done 2 car's this way so far and though I don't make much off them it does help pay the bills, my wife likes it because she gets to try out a new car every couple of months.
Anyways I really appreciate the help.

[2000izusu]

just fyi autozone lists those lifters at 18.99 each! ouch, i just bought a set of lifters for a 2.5 jeep motor for 3.50 each. you would think a common fail item wouldn't cost so much, but then again i guess they are in short supply seeing how they all take a dump before the industry standard. mike

p.s i also have flipped cars in the past. easy money if you assess your purchase right. good luck!

[fuzzypuppy]

Thanks for the info, I think I'm gonna just pull a head from a picka part yard, the bonehead I bought it from pulled the cam caps but never marked them.
I just got the car home today so I'll be calling around to see what I can dig up. maybe a new/used engine if I can find a good enough deal.
The price gouge sounds the same with GM as well, I just replaced the fuel pump on an astro, they run $500.00, and fail quite often, I found one from a bone yard for under a hundred that did the trick though.
From what I have seen of the car in just the hour of daylight I had I wont be keeping it long, I have a list of more than 20 little fix's to me made and it isn't even running yet, I don't know if it's just this car or the owners but it doesn't seem to be very well built, I have never owned a mazda and so far am not impressed.
Thanks again mike.

[2000izusu]

my bro paid 350 for the used motor with the supposed 90,000 miles. they also put in new rear main, pan gasket, valve cover gasket, thermostat, timing belt and water pump, along with cam and crank seals. the junkyard owner said just two years ago this used motor sold for 7-800 but since demand has dropped off significantly most are asking 300-400 in "B" condition. also keep in mind this same motor came in the ford probe of the same years. the junkyard compatibility book will tell what years you can use. even know it was in the ford probe i believe it is a japanese designed maxda motor (not sure though).

the fit and finish of the car doesn't seem to be the best either, but then again my brother has the dx. which is basicly a pixxa deliver grade package from the factory. i have never seen a well optioned one so i can't comment.

am i impressed? not really the car has problems common to all 626's from those years. they are big problems. like head problems. but we can't complain 264,000 with only regular maintenance and a used motor and a clutch and axles and wheel bearings and starter. etc... oh the life of high mileage cars!