Bringing a supra back to life.

[modnar]

When I parked my 91 supra (7m-GTE, auto, targa) last; It needed a few things. It needed valve cover gaskets, it needed a power steering pump, and it needed a right front brake caliper.

While I always wanted to work on the car myself, I've lived in apartments with strict rules about what you can't do in the parking lots. I took the car,to my parents house and kept with my daily driver.

That was 5 years ago. life passes fast when you're busy. About 7 years ago, I frequented these forums. I'd post occasionally, but read for hours every day. I still have a binder full of things to do to that car.

Im out of the apartments now. I've got a garage and a basic assortment of tools. I poked around, but my search was useless (maybe I just don't know the right terms anymore).

My question is this: What does it take to get this car back on the road? I know I've added a good deal of maintenance, but I don't know what. Any input and guidance you guys could give me would be great.

 

[Orion ZyGarian]

I'm in a similar boat. It was my first car, and I tinkered with it here and there over the years, but it essentially ran for 6 months and has been down for 8 years.

Right now, my plans are to replace the entire fuel system (new injectors, lines, pump, fuel filter, probably hanger, at least clean out the fuel rail, etc.), flush all of the fluids (brakes, clutch, coolant, oil, drop the gas tank and clean it out, trans, diff, power steering...) and of course new tires. Belts will need tending to, and I completely expect to find many other things that will warrant replacing as I continue the reviving process. I'm hoping the engine, transmission, and suspension bushings are all "acceptable" for now.

I think outside of those, you and I are just going to have to figure it out as we go

 

[AbsoluteSpeed]

First things first, drain the gas and fill it up with new stuff. Follow up with an oil change and new belts. Inspect the rad hoses and vacume lines for any cracks. Charge the battery, fire it up and check for leaks!

I know my old car sat for a while before i bought it but not sure how long. Within a few months of driving the timing belt went, then the upper rad hose and finally the lower rad hose.

Good luck!

 

[supraguy@aol]

I believe that with the '91, you have an actual drain on the underside of the fuel tank.
Like A.S. said, drain it, and put fresh in. Also, since you have to replace the valve cover gaskets, drain your oil, and refill while the covers are off. That'll give you the opportunity to pour the oil directly onto the entire length of the cams. Why not after all?
Power steering pump and calipers ar easy work to do, things you can certainly handle by yourself with a set of metric wrenches and sockets. Refer to the TSRM for assistance.

 

[Orion ZyGarian]

My 88 has a drain plug as well

 

[GreenChevelleSS]

Chances are if the car has just sat, not started occasionally and moved. Then you will need to drop the tank, have it cleaned (or attempt it yourself) or replaced and install a new fuel pump. The varnish in the fuel will attach to everything. including the internals of the pump and the pump will not work. Once the fuel tank and pump and fuel filter has been cleaned/replaced. The car should run but check for hard cracking vacuum lines, if they are hard they will break as you start driving. Coolant hoses should also be replaced eventually.
Spark plugs dont go bad from sitting, but plug wires will get hard and brittle like the vacuum lines. Belts will be ok to run, I know mine still has the original belts at 250K except the timing belt. Watch for oil leaks also.

Ive been trying to revive my rx7 thats been sitting since 1992. Do not just install a new fuel pump in a varnished tank. The new fuel will loosen the varnish and the pump will suck it up and it will kill the pump.

 

[Nick M]

You can start by fixing the known isssues you listed in the first post. Flush your fluids if it has been sitting 5 years. Why do you need a power steering pump? Is it leaking?

 

[Rollus]

And if not started time to time during years, you should remove plugs and look if pistons are dry, and turn the crank by hands (with a tool).
Coolant may fill the cylinders due to head gasket aging.

Envoyé depuis mon GT-N7100 avec Tapatalk

 

[te72]

My traditional rule of thumb when a car has sat for a long while:

"If it's made of rubber or liquid, replace it."

Hasn't failed me yet. Good luck!

 

[mirage83]

Mine sat for about 5 years, so I know exactly where you're coming from with this. I would definately recommend draining and then dropping the tank for a good cleaning. If the gas in the tank was an ethanol blend then you're almost certain to have a fair amount of rust built up in it, and that rust can and will wreck the fuel level sending unit. I'd take the tank to someone who can clean it out good and maybe reseal it, and probably replace your sending unit with a new or good used one.

Oil and filter is a given.

I'd also take the time to remove the fuel rail and injectors and send the injectors off to be cleaned by someone with the right gear. I've got no association with them other than being a customer, but Witchhunter did a great job cleaning and flow-testing my injectors. The replace all the o-rings and seals, and I haven't had a problem with them since they got re-installed.

I replaced the brakelines from the mains to the calipers with new ones, and did the master cylinder as well since the internal seals were worn and allowing the pedal to creep to the floow. Afterwards I flushed what looked like a good double-roast coffee out of the lines through all 4 calipers until the fluid ran clean.

Replace all your coolant lines (including the heater hose on the back of the engine, and maybe the banjo bolt while you're at it. That damn thing tends to rust and is the very devil to remove if it shears off) as well as your belts, and do a good flush and refill.

After that? Run it for a while and check to see what's leaking. Gaskets and such tend to dry out, so after sitting that long you're likely going to see a few which won't hold up once you're running again. Since it's an auto I'd drop the pan and replace the screen on your transmission to make sure it's not garbaged up and preventing it from being lubricated properly.

Past that point you're probably just going to have to play it by ear. Mine is still a work in progress after years of bit-by-bit restoration. Good luck with it.

 

[modnar]

Thanks for everyones input. This sure is gonna be a project for me. I really have no experience actually working on cars. Looks like im gonna focus on fluids, known issues and check out all the hoses. I know I'm gonna also need tires as well. Hopefully I can get this beast back on the road where it belongs.

 

[Rollus]

Hehe good luck.

And again, just to be safe, do not try to crank until you checked if there is coolant in cylinder, you may break a bearing or a rod else.

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[supraguy@aol]

I say just put some jumper cables on, turn the key and scream "Check it, BITCHES!"




but that's just me. Your mileage may vary.