how can you tell whether a replacement MX5 engine is the lon

[VP]

Hi,

I saw your post below from 11/8/2000 in which you asked a similar question
to the one which I now have to ask.

I've got the dreaded crankshaft problem - it started after the dealer
(authorised Mazda) changed the timing belt a couple of years back and has
got progressively worse since then. They've welded it twice but it's
getting worse. They suggest a 2nd hand engine as being the better option.

What I'd like to know is how to make sure that the second hand replacement
engine will have a longnose crankshaft. There's quite a few to choose from
(here in Melbourne) and they're all Japanese imports. Is there a VIN
number I can look for that will definitely establish that it will be a post
92 model or is there any other feature to look for - because I need to make
sure that the replacement is of the long nose crankshaft variety.

Thanks for your assistance,
P Bauer
********

7 From: "Fletcher Blades" <7 fletch@powerlink.co.nz>
7 Subject: Re: Seeking Info
7 Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 17:41:43 +1200
7 Reply-To: MX5List<7 mx5list@mx5club.org.nz>

My NZ New 1990 developed the worn crank key problem earlier this year at
about 160,000 km or so. From the reading I've done on the net, I'd say the
best way to avoid the problem is to replace the crankshaft bolt with a new
one, when you do your timing belt every 100,000 km. I also know of two
other cars this has happened to (at least one of which is a Eunos)... but
I know a LOT of MX-5 owners... I wouldn't want to say it was common, but it
does happen. Also that VIN number doesn't apply to us.. All the
Japan/Aust/NZ/rest-of-world MX-5s came from a different factory in Japan
than the US market cars, and their VIN numbers are from a different
sequence... Fletch.