As the title says, but not my mazda but my brothers. The project i'm going to help is on a 1991 "H" reg Mazda 626 2.0i 16v coupe, it's not an ordanary version of the coupe but a TWR version in white, the DVLA website "how many left" only list 1 left in the U.K and he owns it. I know it's not very accurate.

So being that rare we are going to restore it back to road (it's been stored of road for 4-5 years), it won't be a complete resto is the thing is very solid body wise, just needs a little tlc, very good original interior and most running gear is in good order, the bit that isn't is the engine. She has suffered HGF, which on the 2.0l FE is quite rare; i confirmed it by seeing oil mixed in the coolant system and low compression in cylinder 2, This is why it's been stored for so long plus he moved house and got into landrovers.

Anyway i (stupidly) said that whislt i'm out of work i'll change the Headgasket and timing belt as a start (must of been drunk.)

As this is the only car forum i'm on i thought i would post the project progress with photos as i go along, starting some time this week (hopefully) with stripping the timing belt and cylinder head off.

P.S no photos yet as my camera battery died whilst at Bromley pagent of motoring, i know it's not a rover but thought it might be an interesting project
wish me luck.

Hi,
I like the 626 Coupe it was always a rare sight. Tom Walkinshew was a real hero of mine too mainly because of his touring cars and the Le Mans Jaguars so i'm very interested!

Hi,
I like the 626 Coupe it was always a rare sight. Tom Walkinshew was a real hero of mine too mainly because of his touring cars and the Le Mans Jaguars so i'm very interested!

It's a nice motor, shame to see it just sitting on his drive among the Landrovers. I popped into my local mazda main dealer for some info on these; the only change from standard was cosmetic. Just a few subtle interior details and a different set of Bumpers and side skirts. The power upgrades were given to the MX5 and RX7.

I have driven both of his Mazda's the other being a standard GT coupe, they are a year apart in age, the standard one is a 89 "G" and the TWR a 91 "H". The later one has 8bhp more and feels so much quicker.

As said the first bit of resto will be the engine, i was up there on monday working out where to start and fired her up. Running was very lumpy (combination of stale fuel and HGF) didn't drive it though as it can't be moved (to many landrovers in the way plus no MOT, Tax or insurance on it), but at least i know it will run.

Just a quick update: Managed to jack up the coupe and take inner wheel arch sheild out, had a good look underneath and the cause of the HGF, it has a small coolant pipe running down the back of the block underneath the inlet manifold and the is perished and split; not very easy to spot at all from the top.

Wanted to make a bigger start but my brother had the key and was at work (didn't get home till 7 o'clock) so had a look for any corrosion, the result of this NONE on a 20 odd year old car.

Also had a look a what parts we have for it and found some rather tasty 4 pot calipers off an RX7, they are more or less a straight swap, so these are being polished up and fitted.

I have 1 photo of the car to upload later as a teaser.

The MAZDA 626, or as me and my mate called his sedan, the FAZDA, not FORD, not MAZDA but the best of both, or so they say lol.

The FAZDA Coupe is basicly a FORD Probe so it gives you a better chance of sourcing parts. :broon:


Any pics ? :dunno:

The MAZDA 626, or as me and my mate called his sedan, the FAZDA, not FORD, not MAZDA but the best of both, or so they say lol.

The FAZDA Coupe is basicly a FORD Probe so it gives you a better chance of sourcing parts. :broon:


Any pics ? :dunno:

No ford input on this model as it predates the probe in design by a few years. this shape 626 coupe was launched in 1987 and production ended in 1992.

Even then it was quite a rare car to find and see, Engines/service parts are fairly easy to get as it was found elsewhere in the model range (mostly top of the range models, lower trims having 8 and 12 valve engines) plus the DOHC FE is fitted in the Kia sportage.

More progress was made yesterday as me and brother managed to get the head of the block. Some former tech had kindly left some markings so timing the engine up was really easy, tensioner was easy to get at so i just slipped it of the cam pulleys.then i just unbolted the exhaust moinfold, there was a nice clever design on the electrics on the inlet manifold i.e just one main loom and plug. once that was done and undid headbolts and off it came.

The reason it blow the gasket is a combination of a blown pipe and K seal blocking up the water ways. must that stuff is horrendous and i will never use it, to clean it out is going to be horrible and hard work. Don't ever buy and use the stuff. All coolant and fuel pipes are being changed as most are perished and we don't to take any chances, plus once it's up and running the cam belt will be changed with new guide and tenshoiner pulleys; but for now we want to get it running. All i'm going to do now is clean all gunk out of cooling system and clean all gasket faces off as we have not got headgasket kit yet, but it's ordered.

Plus a link to some pic on photobucket for you to see.
http://s1054.photobucket.com/albums/s490/Julianheap/

The car is sitting like it is on purpose, made it easier to work plus if we needed to take the engine mount off the engine has nowhere to get as it's on a couple of blocks of wood on the floor, plus the brake disc is also resting on a block of wood thats about 3" thick.

Ahhh, that model, thanks for the pics mate, it looks like a Skyline at first glance. :broon:

Ahhh, that model, thanks for the pics mate, it looks like a Skyline at first glance. :broon:

One of many reasons why i like the car so much. Another is the build quality of the thing.