After 23 years, we finally got to put that Miata part to good use

Have you ever wondered who’s making that awful racket–and only to discover that it’s you?

We were driving back from Orlando–an hour on the highway–just minding our own business when we started to hear a rather loud engine.

So we did the only logical thing: slipped in some earplugs–always handy to keep on your key ring–and just hoofed it the rest of the way at some 4000 rpm.

Nope. But the two bolts that secure our Miata’s muffler to the mid-pipe had gone MIA. (They might be somewhere near Maitland.)

We had the replacement gasket on the shelf, although we’re not sure if it’s funny or sad that the package is dated from 2000.

Some lessons here: Keeping spares on hand can be good, but letting bolts get loose can be bad. (Looking back, we had recently removed the muffler in order perform some service, so we’re guessing something wasn't properly tightened–another valuable lesson.)

So, what’s the oldest part that you have “on the shelf” just in case? Don’t worry, we’re all friends here.

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Comments

Colin Wood Associate Editor
10/17/23 11:52 a.m.

I just hate it when I get a leek in my exhaust.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/17/23 11:56 a.m.

In reply to Colin Wood :

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9CdVTCDdEwI?rel=0

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/17/23 12:00 p.m.

So, back in 2000, when I bought that gasket, I had only owned the Miata like two years. We were in our old house.

Yet I still knew exactly where to find the gasket in our garage. Oddly, I woke up this morning and didn’t know where my wedding band went. (Apparently I had left it on the vanity last night.)

Tom1200 PowerDork
10/17/23 12:23 p.m.

Wedding band? The musician kind or the jewelry kind? You need to clarify..........

Sooo on back on topic

The spare distributors for the Datsun are from around 1985 (I have 2 of them) the advance plates slowly wear out and or break. The distributor in the car is on it's second plate. All of my spares for the Datsun fit on one shelf in the cabinet with the exception of the back up engine and the spare wheels. If it weren't a race car the extra wheels and engines would be gone.

I stopped saving things that were unlikely to wear out in my life time............I am very anti hoarding.

Pete. (l33t FS) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/17/23 1:37 p.m.

David S. Wallens said:
So, back in 2000, when I bought that gasket, I had only owned the Miata like two years. We were in our old house.

Yet I still knew exactly where to find the gasket in our garage. Oddly, I woke up this morning and didn’t know where my wedding band went. (Apparently I had left it on the vanity last night.)

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/17/23 1:42 p.m.

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

Looks about right.

300zxfreak Reader
10/17/23 2:00 p.m.

I have the original tires on the original wheels for my '90 300ZX Twin Turbo, just sitting on the wall rack looking spiffy.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/18/23 2:43 p.m.

In reply to 300zxfreak :

Totally can see that. Gotta be ready for Pebble Beach.

DeadSkunk (Warren) UltimaDork
10/18/23 3:06 p.m.

I've got an intake manifold and a 2 barrel carb for one side of an ACVW motor. It was on the 1600cc FormulaVee I sold in 1989. I'll bet I'll find parts for my GTI and SpecMiata race cars sometime, and I stopped racing in 2006. You never know when this stuff might come in handy.