Bottom end check/refresh

[CyFi6]

I have purchased a used 7mgte engine locally in which the bottom end history is unknown. The whole block is painted and has new core plugs etc and looks as though it has been apart. I am going to inspect the bottom end and had a few questions.

I have read a few things about replacing the oil squirters as the springs lose tension with age. Is it recommended i do this? Is it possible to get new springs or do i need to buy the whole squirter, and most importantly, can i remove these squirters with the bottom end fully assembled?

I also plan to shim the oil pump while i am down there. I have read numerous recommendations for this, but more commonly i head 5mm of washers is sufficient, is this true?

I don't have much experience with engine work, and i understand bearings have a little bit of initial squish or crush when first installed, is it still safe to remove all the caps, check oil clearances and if ok, replace the caps with the same bearings and go on my way?

Thanks, i very much appreciate all the help!

 

[Zumtizzle]

I have read a few things about replacing the oil squirters as the springs lose tension with age. Is it recommended i do this? Is it possible to get new springs or do i need to buy the whole squirter?

It's a "Bolt" with a built in spring. that goes onto a squarter like a banjo. so you just have to buy new bolts.

(it'll make sense once you see them.)

 

[gaboonviper85]

I have purchased a used 7mgte engine locally in which the bottom end history is unknown. The whole block is painted and has new core plugs etc and looks as though it has been apart. I am going to inspect the bottom end and had a few questions.

I have read a few things about replacing the oil squirters as the springs lose tension with age. Is it recommended i do this? Is it possible to get new springs or do i need to buy the whole squirter, and most importantly, can i remove these squirters with the bottom end fully assembled?

I also plan to shim the oil pump while i am down there. I have read numerous recommendations for this, but more commonly i head 5mm of washers is sufficient, is this true?

I don't have much experience with engine work, and i understand bearings have a little bit of initial squish or crush when first installed, is it still safe to remove all the caps, check oil clearances and if ok, replace the caps with the same bearings and go on my way?

Thanks, i very much appreciate all the help!

you cannot access the squirters without dropping the oilpan (removal of pan and probably oil pump is all thats needed aslong as you have socket extensions and a pivot head.

5mm of "washers" will work perfect! that will bump up your oil pressure a bit before the bypass valve opens....

you can remove the caps 1 at a time and reuse the bearings but its not recommend....just keep everything organized! but lets say you have one bearing that is worn and the oil clearance is out of spec....then you gotta tear the whole motor apart anyway and fix the issue...so you may as well just tear it apart anyway and do it right.

 

[HitmansEVO]

you can remove the caps 1 at a time and reuse the bearings but its not recommend....just keep everything organized! but lets say you have one bearing that is worn and the oil clearance is out of spec....then you gotta tear the whole motor apart anyway and fix the issue...so you may as well just tear it apart anyway and do it right.

Yah.. if the history of the engine is in doubt, you may as well strip it down and redo it for peace of mind, if anything.

 

[CyFi6]

Well i am on a tight budget and i dont want to fix something that isnt broken. This engine came out of a running supra, so it is known to be perfectly running, but when i said history is unknown i mean mileage/when it was rebuilt if it was.

 

[Jeff Lange]

you can remove the caps 1 at a time and reuse the bearings but its not recommend....just keep everything organized! but lets say you have one bearing that is worn and the oil clearance is out of spec....then you gotta tear the whole motor apart anyway and fix the issue...so you may as well just tear it apart anyway and do it right.

I disagree, you can remove all the bolts in sequence, pull the caps, pull the crank out. There's nothing wrong with this, and it is not unrecommended (is that a word) at all. Just keep things in the correct order.

Disassemble the bottom end, check your clearances, etc. Don't be shy. If you find anything that needs to be fixed, at that point, send the crank out to be polished, or whatever you have to do. It's not like you're playing with fire, just do things properly and how the manual suggests.

I'd probably throw new rings in there though, just to be sure, might as well. Check the ring gap though.

Jeff

 

[adampecush]

oil squirters can easily be replaced without removing the crank or oil pump. All you need to do is remove the oil pan. It is definitely easier if the engine is upside-down.

 

[CyFi6]

ok, great info guys! Thanks a lot. I will have the engine upside down on a stand. The engine has a new head gasket and rebuilt head etc etc so i do not want to remove pistons and all that. I just want to check bearing clearances and that's it. Then i will shim the pump and replace the squirter bolts! Im on a budget so if i find clearances to be good and in spec that puppy will be going back together.