The Flyin’ Miata Tool Kit

Autobot Approved!

Autobot Approved!

Just a quick post. I wanted to take a few pix of my new FM tool kit. It was a Christmas present and something I’ve wanted for years. I’ve always just borrowed a buddy’s set or cobbled together something. Finally, these tools get to stay in my own box.

A deadly weapon in the right Bot's hands.

A deadly weapon in the right Bot’s hands.

Decepticon decapitation tool.

Decepticon decapitation tool.

I’ve borrowed these a few times in the past. The Big Snout and FM Cam Seal installer are great. They make seal changes very easy. And the Crank Pulley Remover (aka Decepticon Nightmare) is very simple. Many different versions of this exist and all are pretty much the same just made by different shops. FM’s might be a bit more beefy than others I’ve used.

The above are fine tools, don’t get me wrong. But the one that’s inspired this post is the smallest tool. The FM Cam Gear Ninja Tool!

Ninja Tool in action.

Ninja Tool in action.

Aligning the cam gear is really really simple when a Miata engine has a non-broken timing belt and you’re about to remove everything for a change. It’s REALLY simple. But when you remove the cam gears, change out the seals, and go to put everything back together, it becomes stupid and tricky. The cams move, tension needs to be applied, and you start second guessing if the gears are really pointing at the E and I. Even for someone with a lot of experience, this can be a frustrating job.

Enter the FM Cam Gear Ninja Tool!

If you just need to change the timing belt, you insert it between the gears and it Ninja-holds everything in the right place. You slip off the old belt and slip on the new one (after installing a new tensioner).

Which is cool and all, but how often do you do that? Changing a belt and not the cam gear seals? Insanity.

A couple zip ties keep everything together.

A couple zip ties keep everything together.

You just add a couple zip ties and then unbolt the cam gears. They’re held together in the right spot. You do your work and then put the cam gears back in place. The cams turn a bit after you remove the gears and tension, but you can easily turn them back to where they need to be with a big wrench.

Brilliant. This little tool is BRILLIANT. It deserved its own blog post. Such a simple tool, but very well thought through. Every serious Miata garage needs one. You can find it here, in Flyin Miata’s store.

Every garage also needs an army of red and blue robots. Well done, Prime.

« | »
  • Victor says:

    And it make a great key ring and doubles as a bottle opener! I love mine, it’s definitely a great tool.

    Victor

  • Leave a Reply