7m-gte inspection

[Bootymeat]

Recently bought a 7mgte. Guy said it ran perfectly just had ticking in the head.... I guess he thought I was an idiot because the first thing I did was pop the oil cap, not only that, but cut the oil filter open. Yup, BADDD headgasket and about a million copper colored metal shavings... Bought the engine with turbo and harness and ECU for 200 bucks.


So, how should I build this? I want a healthy (not powerful) engine. Stock for the most part besides maybe a BOV with the re-circulation fitting.

I know I'm going to need new rod bearings and main bearings. Is there anything else I should do/inspect on the block? How much is it to have the crank polished and balanced? What about the head and block to be shaved?

Also, what would be the best way to clean the oil pan? I took it off today and had a bunch of shavings in it but didn't want to mess it up so I finger tightened it back on.

Now for stock power would new factory head bolts and felpro gasket work? Advice would be appreciated!

 

[MKIIINA]

Get arps for headblots (or studs depending on you choice) and a metal head gasket. HKS is still one of the best. Get the head and block done at the same place to get to correct RA. Hot tanking the block wouldn't be a bad idea.

As far as pricing for getting it all cleaned up you will need to call some local machine shops and see what they charge.


For the oil pan I'm going to say gas and mineral spirits. I have heard of people doing ot in their sink using dawn and hot water but you won't find me doing that ever.

 

[Scot]

For cleaning engine or parts .... Super Clean from the parts store.... Just spray it on , wait, and rinse. Not purple power or simple green. (just dont get it on your hands)....

 

[stonecoretx]

HKS 1.2mm metal head gasket with arp head studs tq@70-low80
I have an extra if ya interested. out of studs

 

[Moy]

HKS 1.2mm metal head gasket with arp head studs tq@70-low80
I have an extra if ya interested. out of studs

That'll raise compression... you need to shave the head and block (or strongly suggested anyway) to have the metal head gasket seal properly. And I do believe there is a sticky that says the stock hg thickness is about 1.37mm, so at 1.2 you're already thinner than stock....

 

[Fubar231]

That'll raise compression... you need to shave the head and block (or strongly suggested anyway) to have the metal head gasket seal properly. And I do believe there is a sticky that says the stock hg thickness is about 1.37mm, so at 1.2 you're already thinner than stock....

Don't flame me but hasn't this been convered numerous times that the stock HG is a lot thinner than 1.2mm once its compressed? Yes its 1.37mm but once its torque'd down and compressed isnt it thinner than 1.2mm?

Again, IM NOT SURE ON THIS! Just... seeing.

 

[lewis15498]

Don't flame me but hasn't this been convered numerous times that the stock HG is a lot thinner than 1.2mm once its compressed? Yes its 1.37mm but once its torque'd down and compressed isnt it thinner than 1.2mm?

Again, IM NOT SURE ON THIS! Just... seeing.

NO. Its 1.37mm compressed.

 

[lewis15498]

200 bucks isnt bad for a motor like that assuming the turbo is good. The issue here could be the cylinder head. Before you spend a single dollar on it. Have it tested for hardness. Someone that dumped copper seal in a 7M probably is guilty of overheating it as well. If the head is annealed it is trash and you will need a new one. The block on the other hand should be fine, just have it hot tanked, its worth the extra dollars.

 

[Poodles]

For cleaning engine or parts .... Super Clean from the parts store.... Just spray it on , wait, and rinse. Not purple power or simple green. (just dont get it on your hands)....

Purple power is the same as super clean (just different brand) and it EATS aluminum. It's also a shitty solvent for things like this.

HKS 1.2mm metal head gasket with arp head studs tq@70-low80
I have an extra if ya interested. out of studs

Wrong torque, if you don't know, DON'T post in the tech section.

Don't flame me but hasn't this been convered numerous times that the stock HG is a lot thinner than 1.2mm once its compressed? Yes its 1.37mm but once its torque'd down and compressed isnt it thinner than 1.2mm?

Again, IM NOT SURE ON THIS! Just... seeing.

Same thing, a quick search would have told you this info.

200 bucks isnt bad for a motor like that assuming the turbo is good. The issue here could be the cylinder head. Before you spend a single dollar on it. Have it tested for hardness. Someone that dumped copper seal in a 7M probably is guilty of overheating it as well. If the head is annealed it is trash and you will need a new one. The block on the other hand should be fine, just have it hot tanked, its worth the extra dollars.

Yep, if the core is rebuildable, $200 is pretty cheap for a GTE core. Hot tanking eats the freeze plugs and oil pump drive shaft bearings, so not recommended (sonic cleaning works nearly as well and won't damage either).

 

[Scot]

Purple power is the same as super clean (just different brand) and it EATS aluminum. It's also a shitty solvent for things like this..

Shitty for what? For cleaning a nasty old an oil pan? What would you use? Super CLean works.... hands down.... there is nothing on a dirty greasy grimy engine that I would not use it on... Polished aluminum? No... Plastic? no... Painted surfaces? no

And just curious, how are you sure that Super Clean and Purple power is the same? I've used both, they do not work the same. You have to careful with Super Clean.... Maybe I am not remembering correctly.

 

[Poodles]

Depending on the plastic, it won't hurt it. Good for removing paint from plastics.

I've used both and they both have the same ingredients. The purple power seems to be more watered down though. It's not powerful enough though for heavy degreasing, there are far better alternatives (hell, gasoline is better).

 

[Bootymeat]

I'm thinking of using the 7m-gte head on my 7m-ge engine, and using the cleaned gte pan on the ge block. I know it would be higher compression, but I believe it would be safe at stock boost. Please correct me.

 

[Poodles]

I wouldn't chance it personally...

 

[easternguy2005]

You won't really know till you strip that engine down and see where the damage is.

Oil pan and tons of other stuff in the sink with dawn - 3 times - If it's good enough for that animal after the valdez then it's gentle enough for my supra ! scrub a dub dubb.

Power washed the block (3 times too) at the car wash at night and used dawn but make sure to blow it dry and paint immediately and coat the cylinders...yada yada yada.

Nothing takes the gaskets off like brake cleaner.

Apartment dwellers have special rebuild handicaps...

I've had no luck with higher compression.