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Mazda 323 1989 166,000 $375

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  • #1

    Mazda 323 1989 166,000 $375

    There is a Mazda 323 LX for sale here in Charleston for $375.
    I took a look at it today and the B6 engine runs good (other that having some valve ticking).
    The transmission is bad though. The front grill is missing, the left front fender has a dent
    there is a small dent in the left rear and a small hole in the left rear tail light.
    The sun roof has been sealed shut (apparently had a leak previously). The interior is in pretty good shape.
    The paint is faded in a few places but there is no rust at all.
    All power windows work, no broken glass and good wheels and tires.
    I haven't rebuilt an engine in over 40 years but I'm thinking about
    getting it to have a project to keep myself busy this coming fall and winter. Not sure if I'm up to rebuilding the transmission though.

    How much should I expect to spend for engine rebuild parts (including a head job)?
    Would my automatic transmission on my 89 Festiva bolt right on?

    Here is a link to photos.

    http://s1222.photobucket.com/user/19...a%20323%201989
    Last edited by 1990new; 07-15-2015, 05:16 PM.
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  • #2
    Skip the rebuild. Find a donor 91-94 Mercury Capri and swap in the dohc 1.6 and drive train. You could also use the XR 2 model and swap in the turbo drive train. These will be total bolt in swaps. For what you will pay for the rebuild of motor and tranny you will still be cheaper with the swaps.

    Comment

    • #3
      Your auto will bolt on and should work, but there may be some slight wiring differences. I also second AZGTX's comment. A B6D will bolt right up and provide a much better driving car.
      The head on that 323 has adjustable tappets, which is most likely the noise you hear. You can probably adjust them, change the valve cover gasket, change the timing belt, cam seal and front main and have a decent little car. If you swap in a Festiva 5 speed tranny you can get way better mileage than that auto, and you may be able to beat Festiva mileage because you can run a larger diameter tire.
      Food for thought.
      Last edited by Advancedynamix; 07-15-2015, 06:58 PM.
      Driving for me is neither a right nor a privilege. Driving is my passion, as it was for the people who invented the automobile, the people who paved the first roads and the people who continue to improve the automobile. Please respect this passion.

      Comment

      • #4
        A great buy for $375. Do it!
        90 Festy (Larry)--B6M (Matt D. modified B6 head), header, 5-speed, Capri XR2 front brakes, many other little mods
        09 Kia Rondo--a Festy on steroids!

        You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality--Ayn Rand

        Disaster preparedness

        Tragedy and Hope.....Infowars.com.....The Drudge Report.....Founding Fathers.info

        Think for yourself.....question all authority.....re-evaluate everything you think you know. Red-pill yourself!

        Comment

        • #5
          Originally posted by azgtx View Post
          Skip the rebuild. Find a donor 91-94 Mercury Capri and swap in the dohc 1.6 and drive train. You could also use the XR 2 model and swap in the turbo drive train. These will be total bolt in swaps. For what you will pay for the rebuild of motor and tranny you will still be cheaper with the swaps.
          The engines and transmissions are all in great shape in my three Festivas (all B3's, 2 five speeds and 1 automatic). Not really looking to do anything to those at the present time. Just came across this one that looked like a good deal and it got me to thinking.


          Originally posted by Advancedynamix View Post
          Your auto will bolt on and should work, but there may be some slight wiring differences. I also second AZGTX's comment. A B6D will bolt right up and provide a much better driving car.
          The head on that 323 has adjustable tappets, which is most likely the noise you hear. You can probably adjust them, change the valve cover gasket, change the timing belt, cam seal and front main and have a decent little car. If you swap in a Festiva 5 speed tranny you can get way better mileage than that auto, and you may be able to beat Festiva mileage because you can run a larger diameter tire.
          Food for thought.
          If a car with a good B6D engine just happened to be available locally at a reasonable price I would definitely consider it. This one just happened to show up and got me thinking I might make a project out of it.
          The 323 has a 5 speed manual transmission with a hydraulic clutch. I was wondering if the B6 engine would bolt right up to the automatic transmission in my 89 if I decided to go that route later on.
          But first I wanted to see what it would take to get the 323 back on the road. It's condition is too go to have it junked and crushed.
          If I do get it, with only 166,000 on the engine, I will definitely check it out and see if a little maintenance will keep it running good for many more miles. It doesn't appear to be leaking much oil anywhere now.

          Originally posted by TominMO View Post
          A great buy for $375. Do it!
          The guy had been asking $500 for it but just lowered the price.

          Instead of trying to rebuild the transmission, I'll probably should just look for a good used 323 5 speed with hydraulic clutch. By just replacing the transmission, the car would be back on the road.
          Does your 87 323 LX have a hydraulic clutch Tom?
          Last edited by 1990new; 07-15-2015, 08:57 PM.

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by 1990new View Post
            Does your 87 323 LX have a hydraulic clutch Tom?
            Cable F-tranny, not hydraulic.
            90 Festy (Larry)--B6M (Matt D. modified B6 head), header, 5-speed, Capri XR2 front brakes, many other little mods
            09 Kia Rondo--a Festy on steroids!

            You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality--Ayn Rand

            Disaster preparedness

            Tragedy and Hope.....Infowars.com.....The Drudge Report.....Founding Fathers.info

            Think for yourself.....question all authority.....re-evaluate everything you think you know. Red-pill yourself!

            Comment

            • #7
              Originally posted by azgtx View Post
              Skip the rebuild. Find a donor 91-94 Mercury Capri and swap in the dohc 1.6 and drive train. You could also use the XR 2 model and swap in the turbo drive train. These will be total bolt in swaps. For what you will pay for the rebuild of motor and tranny you will still be cheaper with the swaps.
              Originally posted by Advancedynamix View Post
              Your auto will bolt on and should work, but there may be some slight wiring differences. I also second AZGTX's comment. A B6D will bolt right up and provide a much better driving car.
              The head on that 323 has adjustable tappets, which is most likely the noise you hear. You can probably adjust them, change the valve cover gasket, change the timing belt, cam seal and front main and have a decent little car. If you swap in a Festiva 5 speed tranny you can get way better mileage than that auto, and you may be able to beat Festiva mileage because you can run a larger diameter tire.
              Food for thought.
              Originally posted by TominMO View Post
              A great buy for $375. Do it!
              Originally posted by TominMO View Post
              Cable F-tranny, not hydraulic.
              Could be a mistake about the hydraulic clutch. I didn't check it out when I went to see it nor did I get a picture of the transmission. I texted the guy and
              asked if it was hydraulic and he said yes. Could he be wrong? Did the standard B6 89 LX's have G transmissions with hydraulic clutch?

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by 1990new View Post
                Could be a mistake about the hydraulic clutch. I didn't check it out when I went to see it nor did I get a picture of the transmission. I texted the guy and asked if it was hydraulic and he said yes. Could he be wrong? Did the standard B6 89 LX's have G transmissions with hydraulic clutch?
                He is probably just wrong. I suspect all those BF generation trannys were F cable trannys, esp. since my 87 is an LX. No reason to change it in the last year of that generation's production.
                90 Festy (Larry)--B6M (Matt D. modified B6 head), header, 5-speed, Capri XR2 front brakes, many other little mods
                09 Kia Rondo--a Festy on steroids!

                You can avoid reality, but you can't avoid the consequences of avoiding reality--Ayn Rand

                Disaster preparedness

                Tragedy and Hope.....Infowars.com.....The Drudge Report.....Founding Fathers.info

                Think for yourself.....question all authority.....re-evaluate everything you think you know. Red-pill yourself!

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by 1990new View Post
                  I was wondering if the B6 engine would bolt right up to the automatic transmission in my 89
                  The B6 in the 1989 323 (1st gen) is the same block as the B3. Straight ahead bolt in. Use the Festy auto stuff on the B6
                  Last edited by drddan; 07-16-2015, 07:47 AM.
                  Dan




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                  I'm just...a little slow... sometimes:withstupid:

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                  • #10
                    I also verify that they are cable clutch, and those cable f trannies are more rare than Festiva trannies and they are geared very low. A Festiva trans would probably add 10mpg to that car, and it bolts right in. You may need Festiva axles too though. The only BF323 to come with g trannies were the gt and gtx models. Both those cars were twin cam. A Capri G15mr is a direct bolt in on that car, and not a bad option either. With a taller fifth gear (mx6, 626,Probe) you'll see better highway fuel economy.
                    Last edited by Advancedynamix; 07-16-2015, 08:28 AM.
                    Driving for me is neither a right nor a privilege. Driving is my passion, as it was for the people who invented the automobile, the people who paved the first roads and the people who continue to improve the automobile. Please respect this passion.

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by drddan View Post
                      The B6 in the 1989 323 (1st gen) is the same block as the B3. Straight ahead bolt in. Use the Festy auto stuff on the B6
                      Yep..It would give my 89 a few more horses for the get up and go but that's about it. Engine is still good with only 89,000 on Trixie so getting the 323 for the engine and a few parts then scrapping is probably not such a good idea for me after all.

                      Originally posted by Advancedynamix View Post
                      I also verify that they are cable clutch, and those cable f trannies are more rare than Festiva trannies and they are geared very low. A Festiva trans would probably add 10mpg to that car, and it bolts right in. You may need Festiva axles too though. The only BF323 to come with g trannies were the gt and gtx models. Both those cars were twin cam. A Capri G15mr is a direct bolt in on that car, and not a bad option either. With a taller fifth gear (mx6, 626,Probe) you'll see better highway fuel economy.
                      Buying this 323, getting a used transmission, doing some maintenance repairs and cleaning it up to be a daily driver might be worth it but after due consideration, I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to pass on this one. If anyone else is interested.. it's on craigslist in Charleston (no pictures in the listing but you have them in my photobucket that I posted earlier).

                      Thanks Guys for helping me make up my mind.
                      Last edited by 1990new; 07-16-2015, 09:44 PM.

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