I thought you all would. But in actuality it was a little more than 2,800 miles in my case before I had any issues. I got all new parts, had machine work done, assembled in a clean environment, measured tolerances, referenced AllData throughout the process if I wasn't sure of a torque spec, component position, etc. It's not like I bought used parts, reused bearings/seals/gaskets/internals, put it together in my driveway and got everything "tight enough" or anything like that.
Seriously, don't cut corners, especially BIG corners.
The "corner" I'm cutting off, even now, is the Doc B oiling system. I have made other "improvements" like the oil squirter delete and AWR deep sump, but as I have said time and time again, I am aware of this not being a fix, but I do believe it will improve things. If I have another issue, I have no one to blame but myself.
Another thing to think about is your ability to correct these mistakes. I'm not using my profession as an excuse to "cut corners," but I can't imagine how I'd ever keep this car, even lightly modified, with the way I drive, if I didn't have my shop to use.
On a side note:
The final component needed for reassembly was a crankshaft. I stumbled across an OEM NEW crankshaft still in original packaging from a Mazda dealership here in Tennessee for 1/6 of list price. Apparently it was special ordered and never paid for or picked up and had been on the shelf for almost 5 years. It shipped out last night and should be here tomorrow.
