1988 Mazda B2200 from North America - Comments

Replaced Starter, old one was weak when I bought the truck. Very Underpowered, Rangers with the 2.9 which are about the same size, have much more power than these little beasts.

This truck has been generally great to me. I've done an oil change with sythetic, after about 2000 Kilometers. Doesn't burn any oil. I've run lifter cleaner, and combustion chamber cleaner through it, and that made a huge difference on my throttle response. I also installed a K&N air filter, which made a bit of a diffence. The exhaust needs to be replaced soon, since there are a few leaks here and there. The one complaint I have about this truck, is that it is very gutless. I don't know whether it's the automatic transmission or what, but its damn slow. I don't think its a problem with the engine, I just think that it was underpowered from the factory. Is there any tricks to gain a little more umffff??? If you have any tips email me at napalm_at_420@hotmail.com

Hi, I have had the pleasure of owning 2 1987 Mazda b2200 trucks. (and 3 83' GLC sport hatches) My experience with this particular truck (and those cars) has taught me two very important lessons, never buy an older mazda with electronically controlled carburation systems.

Too many vaccuum lines and electronic chokes that were garbage off the assembly line. All mechanics cringe at the thought of them.

And if you work on the engine, bolts are gonna break before they come out, 10mm bolts are too weak, sorry Mazda.

As for more power, I had my first Mazda outfitted with a totally custom exhaust system, pacesetter makes a header, and we used a 2.5`` pipe diameter, and a thrush muffler, and the cat, well what cat, did you see a cat, well I guess I don`t need one then do I. (we just cut it off and tossed it in the garbage) After a little tuning (setting valve tolerances after 150,000 kms amd a jacobs ignition system, fuel mileage increased a lot and I could now hear from the back tires. (auto trans in D)

As for engine internals, don`t even worry about them.

I have rebuilt a GLC engine at 230,000 kms) and a B2200 engine at 158,000 kms, all of the cam bearings, valve rods and wearable parts you usually replace in a rebuild, were almost perfect or within tolerable differnces every time. I addressed the flow issues in the head and ported out as much as we thought to be prudent, do not take this step unless you know exactly what you are doing! engine work on these things is an exact science, I would not attempt these mods as a newbie!

I am a minitruckin enthusiast, and one of the biggest fans Mazda can have.

Oh yeah, electric water pumps and fans, well, I`m a believer! Less drag on the motor, just look at that tach jump!

DS

danatawink.com using the at because I can`t use it here.

Electric water pumps give less drag on the motor?

Er, not exactly.

Load is transferred to the alternator instead, so it makes little difference in that regard.

My guess is that an electric water pump will be less reliable and more expensive to replace than a belt-driven one. But I'm only telling you my feelings as an engineer. I've no way of backing up the claim.

Please let me know if you disagree.