tonyhawk Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I’m getting close to finishing my engine rebuild, so I thought I’d share it with everyone! It’s a sorry tale of broken engines, a lack of money, a lack of time and a girlfriend who didn’t believe in getting it mended… However, the tale has a happy ending: the girlfriend went, I found some time, I found a little money and so out came the spanners, out came the engine and…..there it sat for ages... The block had suffered an oil starvation (even longer story than this one!) and under inspection needed a new crank (the journals were cracked!) and the main caps needed line boring (spelt correctly?). That, I left to the engineers, but the rest has been my own blood (on several occasions), sweat (plenty of) and tears (well, I didn’t cry, but I reserve the right if it doesn’t work ) During this sad, sad period of my life I also lost my license for filtering on the M40 on my R1, the ban for which ended today (hooray!), however I still need to re-take my test (Boo), which I’m hoping to do soon! Anyway, the engine is now built, and it had lots of new shiny bits on it, existing bits shined up and I’ve treated myself to a few extras, not a show winner, but a big improvement! I’m hoping to put the engine in on Tuesday as I have a day off, so I’ll post more pics then, but before that momentous occasion here’s what I’ve done so far: http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BoredOfChoosingAnID/SupraEngineRebuild I’m hoping to have it ready and my license back for JAE; it’s in serious need of some bodywork, but alas, the cash has gone, at least she should get there well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRX Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 (edited) Top job mate! wish I had the skills to do that. I see you have a couple of boxes of bits in the background. When doing a job like this do you know off the top of your head where things go back too, or do you record some how what goes where? Edited August 1, 2008 by MRX (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 Cheers mate. I hope the head's on the right way around.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daston Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 wow man good job and in quite a small garage as well (around the same size as mine). Did you do anything to make sure it was a dust free enviroment? Also are you a mechanic by proffesion or just someone who likes to get stuck in? Would love to do an engine rebuild but maybe something smaller like a mini A series engine lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 I see you have a couple of boxes of bits in the background. When doing a job like this do you know off the top of your head where things go back too, or do you record some how what goes where? I've stripped it a couple of times now, but pretty much most bits can only go in one place. My saving grace last time was taking LOTS of pictures before and during the strip! Er, now where did that pipe go.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 wow man good job and in quite a small garage as well (around the same size as mine). Did you do anything to make sure it was a dust free enviroment? Also are you a mechanic by proffesion or just someone who likes to get stuck in? Would love to do an engine rebuild but maybe something smaller like a mini A series engine lol Cheers fella. Small...yes! Also, very, very cramped! I'm in IT by trade (you can see a rack of stuff in the background...sad I know...), but I had several cortinas as a wee lad and you either learn how to fix them or you don't go anywhere! I used to carry a full tool kit in those! It wasn't dust free unfortunately, however I used an air line at each stage to get things cleared, then coverd it in plastic when I wasn't working on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Looking good Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 1, 2008 Author Share Posted August 1, 2008 Cheers Gaz, and thanks for sorting out the polishing and parts etc. Shiny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lui Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 Looking very nice was not so long ago that my engine was looking like that when my re-build was done. Hope all goes back in OK starts first time with no trouble all the best & great pictures too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 For those of you not too bored of engine rebuilds yet I have an update; I put the engine in yesterday, I didn't get a chance to finish it, but it's in! http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BoredOfChoosingAnID/SupraEngineRebuild I've also set up an album for comparison before and after shots and I'm chuffed with what you can achieve with some degreaser http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BoredOfChoosingAnID/SupraEngineRebuildBeforeAndAfter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonB Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I'll be at the point where I'll be swapping mine in soon. I see you went for the gearbox and all method rather than leaving the gearbox in. I haven't decided which method to use yet, how easy did you find it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 I have fitted it engine on it's own and engnie/gearbox combo and I would say I much prefered putting it in as one piece. The two top bolts on the bell housing are nigh impossible to get to once the engine is in, and I hate laying under the car if I can avoid it. It went in remarkably well, although doing it on my own was mildly inconvenient as I had to lower it, push the gearbox down and pull the car up the drive at the same time! If you can get someone to help, do! It makes jobs like the starter motor a lot easier. Also, I stopped with the engine about a foot out the bay and then plugged everything in (loom etc.), it's sooooo much easier than trying to get to things once fully in. Let us know how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Also, I stopped with the engine about a foot out the bay and then plugged everything in (loom etc.), it's sooooo much easier than trying to get to things once fully in. thats a great tip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonB Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Thanks for that, pretty brave doing it on your own! At least I know it's possible, I wouldn't even have thought to try doing it on my own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy442 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Id love to have time to do something like this, good job mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daston Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 silly question aleart! Are engine looms like say PC sockets as in the wires will only go in the coresponding socket so there is a very small chace of cocking it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Shane_ Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 good work dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 silly question aleart! Are engine looms like say PC sockets as in the wires will only go in the coresponding socket so there is a very small chace of cocking it up On the whole yes. Several plugs are the same, but the loom and most of the vacuum hoses are shaped so when you put them into roughly the right place, most of the plugs etc. line up. Take lots of photo's before you take it out and as you take it all apart, I have referred to mine several times! I also have a CD with loads of Toyota tech data on (clearences, torque settings etc.), diagrams and general 'how to' procedures if anyone wants a copy? Er I mean, if anyone wants to act as an off site safe storage for a backup of my CD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyhawk Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Thanks for that, pretty brave doing it on your own! At least I know it's possible, I wouldn't even have thought to try doing it on my own. Id love to have time to do something like this, good job mate good work dude Cheers for the support, it's much appreciated; this forum is fantastic for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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