88 Supra Rebuild (Trans swap 1/18/11)

Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Here is a little thread ill keep updating as I go. I just picked up a 1988 Supra Targa top with 130k miles.. Its had 3 owners and has never been in a crash. Its in excellent condition and for being 22 years old it looks pretty good. Its a 7MGE N/A and automatic but planning on a 7MGTE or 7MGE-T later in the future. I bought the car for 800.00 with a blown head gasket, The previous owner started pulling some stuff on the motor to take the head off but ended up not having enough time to finish it. The original plan was to just pull the head and get it running again but Im thinking of just pulling the motor and checking everything as well as cleaning it up.

Will update as progress takes place. Here are some pictures in its current status, Just got it home last night 5/3/10 Enjoy!

Thanks,
Devin

p1560302_1.jpg

p1560302_2.jpg

p1560302_3.jpg

p1560302_4.jpg

p1560302_5.jpg

p1560302_6.jpg
 
Last edited:
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Thanks, It was well worth it. I like everything about the car so far. I got ARP Head Bolts as well as the full top end gasket set that will be here tomorrow! Should have it running by the weekend! Updates as I go. Decided to just leave the motor in and will do a flush with ATF. Then will run 15W-40.. Please no spun rod bearings haha

---------- Post added at 11:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 PM ----------

The clear coat is coming off of the stock rims and looks pretty bad. Im debating just lightly sanding them and re clear coating them.. But maybe I should paint them something different.. What do you guys think?
 
I6Boost

I6Boost

New Member
Apr 14, 2010
182
0
0
My Supra
I would just try to re-paint them with the orig color...

IMO i dont think sawblades look good painted any other color than orginal.

Other than that man yea great find, car looks clean!
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
5/6/10 Got the head cleaned up and back on.. ARP Head bolts with a stock gasket should hold fine. Torqued to 85 ft-lbs. Finally making good progress.. Hopefully have it running saturday. Anybody have a vacuum diagram for the 7MGE, I was only able to find one for the Turbo model. It should be close but know there are waste gate lines, ect.
p1561929_1.jpg

p1561929_2.jpg

p1561929_3.jpg

p1561929_4.jpg

p1561929_5.jpg


Thanks,
Devin
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Have not cranked it yet, Going to drain the old oil out first and then fill it up again with some thicker stuff for the first few runs, I put the head together with assembly lube and coated the cyl walls lightly with oil just because its been sitting for a while. I will do a compression check when I change the oil out. I wanted to leave it in so any small stuff that dropped down the oil passages would come out with the oil and not stay down in the pan.

Anyone used ebay head gaskets? Thats what was installed but with ARP Head bolts, The gasket looked really good so I'm pretty sure it will hold fine.. If it was boosted I wouldn't trust it, but its not so can anyone chime in?
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
The head was checked for warpage, on cyl 2 and 5 right near the oil jackets there was .003 of an inch warpage only in that one spot about a 1/2 inch. Everywhere else checked to spec with feeler gauges. Once its torqued down the gasket is supposed to take up any imperfections in the head. It was not machined but cleaned up to a bare metal surface along with the block before installed
 
Last edited:
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Well I worked on it last night and so far this is where im at this morning. Getting there, next is intake manifold, wiring harness and all the vacuum hoses. I was able to find some good detailed pics and diagrams on here so thanks to those who posted before. The crank case breather/oil drain hose was broken on mine and its a expensive dealer item supposedly. Luckily my brother had one in good condition from his supra. Pics follow! Enjoy
p1562647_1.jpg

p1562647_2.jpg

p1562647_3.jpg

p1562647_4.jpg
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Phew, what a pain in the A$$ Finally got all the vacuum hoses done, now just starting the wiring harness.. which I just found out runs under the intake plenum.. :mad: Hope it turns over, wish me luck...

p1562751_1.jpg

p1562751_2.jpg
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Alright, update time! Got it running, But the fuel pump is seized, Already tested to see and were getting power back to the pump, and the relay is working.. Also hooked 12V up to FP in the diagnosis plug. Still no fuel pressure.. But anyways, Got it running by squirting gas in the throttle body, it idles. Will drop the fuel tank tomorrow and tackle that problem.. Final pics!

p1562858_1.jpg
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Supera update time: My dad was reading on testing fuel pumps and etc, and came across a post on the toyota forums about bench testing. The guy stated that he has had success freeing up seized fuel pumps by hooking straight 12V up to the fuel pump in reverse polarity. We'll we tried it and it was a success so I didn't have to drop the fuel tank :thank god: Anyways, Running great really smooth, Just need to balance the tires, and flush the radiator. Will do that tomorrow at my school while on the lift. We got the A/C working and blowing Ice cold. It was already converted to R134A by the previous owner. It had a blown fuse so the clutch wouldn't kick in. That was an easy fix but we diagnosed the source of the problem to fix it. Set the timing and the TPS, free'd up the sticky throttle cable and all is well now! Drove it around all day today, and everything is good! Thanks for the useful information here on SM! Sleepy eye was just for the pics, and for looks.. Don't worry im not going to drive it like that. lol

p1563236_1.jpg


p1563236_2.jpg

Thanks Devin
 
Devin LeBlanc

Devin LeBlanc

Banned
Apr 7, 2010
1,830
0
0
32
Las Vegas NV.
Thanks its running great! I think I'm going to remove the upper Y pipe and throttle body and then the valve covers so I can re torque the head bolts to 90 ft lb's now that it has had a few heat cycles. What do you guys think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom