1997 MAZDA MIATA Camshaft

Fig. 11: Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolt Removal & Installation Sequence (Miata) Installation
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 18 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 12: Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolt Removal & Installation Sequence (Protege) Removal
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 19 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 13: Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolt Removal & Installation Sequence (Protege) Installation
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
CRANKSHAFT REAR OIL SEAL
Removal & Installation
1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove transmission/transaxle and flywheel. For automatic
transmission removal procedure, see REMOVAL & INSTALLATION article in TRANSMISSION
SERVICING. For manual transmission removal procedure, see appropriate article in CLUTCHES. On all
models, pry out rear oil seal.
2. To install, apply light coat of oil to seal lip and push seal over crankshaft. Tap seal into rear cover until it
is flush with edge of rear cover. DO NOT bottom seal in cover.
3. Completely remove used sealant from flywheel bolts. Apply lock-type sealant to bolts and install
flywheel to crankshaft. Tighten bolts to 71-76 ft. lbs. (96-103 N.m) in a star-pattern sequence. Install
clutch assembly (if equipped) and tighten cover bolts to 13-20 ft. lbs. (18-26 N.m) in a star-pattern
sequence. Install transmission/transaxle. See appropriate article in TRANSMISSION SERVICING or
CLUTCHES.
WATER PUMP
Removal & Installation

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
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Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 20 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

head. Lightly oil valve seal lip.
Fig. 15: Installing Valve Guide Seals

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Valve Guides
1. Check valve stem-to-valve guide oil clearance. Ensure valve guide inside diameter is within specification.
See CYLINDER HEAD
under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS.
2. Completely disassemble cylinder head. Gradually heat cylinder head in water to 194°F (94°C). Using
Valve Guide Remover (49-B012-005), drive valve guide out, working from combustion chamber side of
cylinder head. Repeat procedure if required, keeping cylinder head hot so aluminum head will not warp.
3. If required, install new circlip on guide. Using proper components of Valve Guide Installer (49-L012-
0A0), adjust installer guide depth (dimension "L") to specification using depth micrometer or caliper. See
VALVE GUIDE INSTALLED HEIGHT
. See Fig. 16 .
4. Insert guide into pre-adjusted installer and drive guide into cylinder head from camshaft side until guide
circlip, and/or installer contact cylinder head. Measure dimension "L" (guide installed height). See Fig.
16 or Fig. 15 . If installed height is not within specification, adjust or replace valve guide or cylinder head
as necessary. See VALVE GUIDE INSTALLED HEIGHT
.
NOTE: On Miata, use only NEW exhaust valve guides to replace intake or exhaust valve
guides.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 24 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Valves
Check valve face angle, head diameter, margin thickness and stem diameter. Service or replace valves if
measurements are not within specifications. See VALVES & VALVE SPRINGS
under ENGINE
SPECIFICATIONS.
Valve Seat Correction Angles
Measure seat contact width on valve. See VALVE SEAT. If seat width is not within specification or if valve
face does not contact center of valve seat, correct seat using a 70-degree grinding stone. After correcting seat,
lightly finish seat with 45-degree grinding stone.
VALVE TRAIN
Hydraulic Lash Adjusters
1. Remove camshaft cover. Check movement of each Hydraulic Lash Adjuster (HLA) by pushing
downward using hand pressure only. If HLA compresses, replace HLA. To remove HLA, remove
camshafts. See CAMSHAFT
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Mark location of HLA before
removing from bore. Lift HLA from cylinder head.
2. Inspect HLA friction surfaces for wear and damage. Replace HLA if required. Coat HLA with engine oil
and install in original location. Ensure HLA moves smoothly in bore by using small magnet attached to
HLA.
CYLINDER BLOCK ASSEMBLY
Piston & Connecting Rod Assembly
1. Before removing rod cap from crankshaft, measure and record rod side play. See CONNECTING RODS
under ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS. Before removing connecting rods, measure and record connecting
rod bearing oil clearance. See CRANKSHAFT, MAIN & CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS
under
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS.
2. Before separating piston from connecting rod, mark piston in relation to connecting rod. Check
oscillation movement of piston and rod assembly (hold piston horizontally, lift rod and allow rod to drop
by its own weight). If pin binds in pin bore (rod does not drop), replace piston and/or pin as necessary.
3. To separate components, press piston pin out of piston and rod assembl
y, noting pressure required to
Normal1.772-1.791 (45.00-45.50)
Serviceable1.733-1.772 (45.60-46.50)
NOTE: If hydraulic lash adjusters are persistently noisy, check with manufacturer
for availability of modified adjusters.
NOTE: During disassembly, match mark components for reassembly reference.

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 27 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 23: Aligning Marks On Inner & Outer Rotor
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
ApplicationFt. Lbs. (N.m)
Axle Shaft Nut (Protege)174-235 (235-319)
Camshaft Sprocket Bolt36-45 (49-61)
Compressor Bracket-To-Engine Bolt28-38 (38-51)
Connecting Rod Cap Nut35-37 (48-50)
Crankshaft Pulley Bolts9-13 (12-18)
Crankshaft/Timing Belt Sprocket Bolt116-123 (157-167)
Crossmember-To-Frame Bolt47-66 (63-89)
Cylinder Head Bolt (2) 56-60 (76-81)
Distributor Bolt14-19 (19-26)
Drive Shaft Bolts (Miata)37-43 (50-58)
Engine Mount Nut42-58 (57-79)
Engine Mount-To-Engine Bolt27-40 (37-54)
Engine Mount-To-Frame Nut
Miata42-57 (57-77)
Protege28-38 (38-51)
Exhaust Header Pipe-To-Exhaust

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 35 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Manifold Nut23-34 (31-46)
Exhaust Manifold Nut(1) 28-34 (38-46)
Flywheel Bolt71-76 (96-103)
Fuel Rail Bolt14-19 (19-26)
Generator Top Bolt27-38 (37-51)
Intake Manifold Bolt/Nut(1) 14-19 (19-26)
Intake Manifold Support Bracket14-18 (19-25)
Main Bearing Cap Bolt
Step 1(1) 22-27 (30-37)
Step 2 (Final)(1) 40-43 (54-58)
Oil Pan-To-Transaxle Bolt (Protege)28-38 (38-51)
Oil Pan-To-Transmission Bolt (Miata)48-65 (64-88)
Oil Pump-To-Block Bolt14-19 (19-26)
Power Steering Pump-To-Bracket Bolt28-38 (38-51)
PPF/Differential Spacer Mounting Bolt (2) 27-38 (37-51)
PPF-To-Differential Long Mounting Bolt (2) 77-91 (104-123)
PPF-To-Transmission Side Mounting Bolt (2) 77-91 (104-123)
PPF/Transmission Rear Bracket Mounting Bolt27-40 (37-54)
Spark Plug11-16 (15-22)
Timing Belt Tensioner Bolt27-38 (37-51)
Water Pump Bolt14-19 (19-26)
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolt(3) 100-125 (11.3-14.1)
Cylinder Head Cover Bolt43-78 (5-9)
Oil Jet104-156 (12-18)
Oil Pan-To-Engine Block Bolt
(Miata & Protege)70-95 (8-11)
Oil Pump Cover Screws53-78 (6-9)
Oil Strainer Bolt70-95 (8-11)
Rear Cover Bolt70-95 (8-11)
Water Pump Pulley Bolt70-95 (8-11)
(1)Tighten evenly to specification in alternating sequence.
(2)Tighten in sequence. See Fig. 7 .
(3)Tighten in sequence. See Fig. 10 or Fig. 11 .

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 36 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

CAMSHAFT
CAMSHAFT
Standard3.9741-4.0055" (100.94-
101.74 mm)
Minimum3.9701" (100.84 mm)
Exhaust
Standard3.9780-4.0094" (101.04-
101.84 mm)
Minimum3.9661" (100.74 mm)
Stem Diameter
Intake
Standard.2351-.2356" (5.970-5.985 mm)
Minimum.2331" (5.920 mm)
Exhaust
Standard.2349-.2354" (5.965-5.980 mm)
Minimum.2329" (5.915 mm)
Valve Springs
Free Length
1.821" (46.26 mm)
Maximum Out-Of-Square
.064" (1.62 mm)
Lbs. @ In. (kg @ mm)
Compressed Length
Minimum51-55 @ 1.555 (23-25 @ 39.50)
ApplicationIn. (mm)
End Play
Standard.0028-.0074 (.07-.19)
Maximum.008 (.20)
Journal Diameter1.0213-1.0222 (25.940-25.965)
Maximum Journal Out-Of-Round.0012 (.03)
Maximum Journal Runout.0012 (.03)
Journal Oil Clearance
Standard.0014-.0031 (.035-.081)
Maximum.006 (.15)
Lobe Height
Standard
Intake1.7360 (44.094)
Exhaust1.7559 (44.600)
Minimum

1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1997-98 ENGINES 1.8L 4-Cylinder
Microsoft
Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:55:15 PMPage 41 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.