1987 Supra 89 engine automatic 7MGTE Hardtop
After a few missed Supra purchases I found Rodney with one for sale it was $3000.
Well I go meet Rodney of Park hill auto in Yonkers, on School St and Park Hill ave. He is a cool guy, claims to have owned 4 Mk3's in the past, being a mechanic making all these claims of his great work.
WHATEVER i just want my mk3. I initially didn't care for this particular one, but once i stepped inside of it and put my foot on the gas, i nearly screamed! She was amazing. Drove perfect, not an issue in the world. Looked everything over and was satisfied.
I went back next week with the 2500 cash in hand, what I talked him down to... Took about 4 hours to get everything registered and insured and my first journey began.
I get on the 15 mile highway stretch back to Purchase college and am amazed at the handling and comfort this sporty GT offered.
As I start to get on the gas, i realize NUMEROUS problems.
The car is bucking crazy, feels like I am going to die! There are all these weird lights and noises going on.
I make a pit stop for some gas just to learn the gas tank door wont open.
Rodney calls me to see if I made it safe. I am yelling at him about my dismay. He offered to help, but disappeared for a few days.
I found some items for sale on ebay, from one specific seller. I emailed the seller about one item and this person has become the most influential person in my MK3 Build. His name is ken and referred me to Supramania.com. As well he has helped me MORE than anyone. I text him at all times of the night/morning and he has always been there to help. His supra is sick! He put a ton of money into, but he better be happy with it.
I then became a member of Supramania.com and have since not flinched at a problem on the car. I am repairing it all on my own (with the help of online people, Ken, and my brother Joe), but now I have a good friend working with me. He is a great mechanic and understands these cars need to have care and time put into them.
Issues at this time (October 2008)
Hit's fuel cut (scary bucking) when the turbo boosts.
gas tank door doesnt work
seat motor doesnt work
dome light doesnt work
taillights dont work
smokes horribly
really bouncy
heater doesnt work
leaks antifreeze
I used Supramania to buy everything, or Ken sent me the stuff for free.
So far, I have done A LOT of work, but honestly nothing is done.
I have installed a Lower Intercooler Hardpipe. This was where the boost leak was.
The coolant leak was from the hose going into the firewall, that fixed the heating and leaking issue.
I fixed the taillights, by tearing apart the whole dashboard and finding a screw in a lighbulb socket. This caused a short, popping the tailight fuse.
With the help of the Ken, he sent me some new door hinges and a new gas tank door spring, these items came the same day as my purchase of new seat motors, and a new seat belt. All these installs actually went smoothly.
Taking apart the dome lights, i come to find it was not grounded properly. I fixed it but it still goes out once in awhile.
New radiator cap, One day she overheated and sprayed coolant all over. I was so scared, turned out it was the cap. With some awesome observation on my part the next day I figured this simple fix out.
As of today Dec 1 2008 I am currently trying to redo the suspension.
I am currently trying to put in new polyurethane bushings.As well I am replacing the strut/spring assembly.
As of today Jan 6 2009, the suspension is done. Finishing one side of the suspension with my brothers help was great, but then the cold weather and snow arrived.
I brought it to my mechanic and had it done for a reasonable price (I didn't want to leave it in the snow with parts off and such, so I figured the smartest bet was to have it done by someone i trust at a decent speed.)
Last night I retorqued my headbolts, did a tuneup, and began the Custom Intercooler Installation.
With the new suspension she sits high and rides stiff as hell.
The wheel is no longer turned and no longer bounces around.
This was where I left off in Jan of 2009...
The car ran like crap after everything. It just showed bad signs of BHG. I parked it and tried to gather resources.
I got an engine stand and hoist from Harbor Freight. I bought some expensive bolts that were guarenteed to hold the 7MGTE on the stand.
Halloween 2009 My friend and I started to pull the engine. It was a long process but we got it out. Only one item broke, and that was the power steering line. I thought more bolts and such would have broke.
April 7 2010 We got the block disassembled and brought to a reliable machinist. He finished boiling, facing valves, and cleanup mill on the head already as well.
I am now organizing every part with pages of EPC (pictures of my organization method will be up soon)
The block is going to get a boil, Cleanup Hone, deck mill, and another boil. the crank is just going to get a polish and balance with flywheel and clutch setup.
I will most likely change all internal bolts, rings, and bearings. Everything was in extremely clean condition. It looks like to me someone put either the wrong HG or somehow put it on backwards. The bearings were really clean, very surprising.
So far the only thing that worries me is two of the readings from the plasti gauge. I have all the numbers at home so I don't want to post bad information, I will put them up when I go home.
The engine will be mated up with a w58 I purchased from shaeff.
Right now I have a few questions going through my mind...
Must I buy new main studs if I am not trying to make more than 400 horses?
If I buy new rod bolts do the pistons have to be reconditioned? Must I even change the rod bolts?
I do not want to skimp, but this rebuild is so i can have the car to Daily Drive and love for about a year, then I will go back in with ALL NEW internals. If I have to get new internal bolts then I will, but if it is acceptable to stick with what I have, I would rather do that.
I will post all the pictures I have when I go home and get my Microsd to SD adapter.
After a few missed Supra purchases I found Rodney with one for sale it was $3000.
Well I go meet Rodney of Park hill auto in Yonkers, on School St and Park Hill ave. He is a cool guy, claims to have owned 4 Mk3's in the past, being a mechanic making all these claims of his great work.
WHATEVER i just want my mk3. I initially didn't care for this particular one, but once i stepped inside of it and put my foot on the gas, i nearly screamed! She was amazing. Drove perfect, not an issue in the world. Looked everything over and was satisfied.
I went back next week with the 2500 cash in hand, what I talked him down to... Took about 4 hours to get everything registered and insured and my first journey began.
I get on the 15 mile highway stretch back to Purchase college and am amazed at the handling and comfort this sporty GT offered.
As I start to get on the gas, i realize NUMEROUS problems.
The car is bucking crazy, feels like I am going to die! There are all these weird lights and noises going on.
I make a pit stop for some gas just to learn the gas tank door wont open.
Rodney calls me to see if I made it safe. I am yelling at him about my dismay. He offered to help, but disappeared for a few days.
I found some items for sale on ebay, from one specific seller. I emailed the seller about one item and this person has become the most influential person in my MK3 Build. His name is ken and referred me to Supramania.com. As well he has helped me MORE than anyone. I text him at all times of the night/morning and he has always been there to help. His supra is sick! He put a ton of money into, but he better be happy with it.
I then became a member of Supramania.com and have since not flinched at a problem on the car. I am repairing it all on my own (with the help of online people, Ken, and my brother Joe), but now I have a good friend working with me. He is a great mechanic and understands these cars need to have care and time put into them.
Issues at this time (October 2008)
Hit's fuel cut (scary bucking) when the turbo boosts.
gas tank door doesnt work
seat motor doesnt work
dome light doesnt work
taillights dont work
smokes horribly
really bouncy
heater doesnt work
leaks antifreeze
I used Supramania to buy everything, or Ken sent me the stuff for free.
So far, I have done A LOT of work, but honestly nothing is done.
I have installed a Lower Intercooler Hardpipe. This was where the boost leak was.
The coolant leak was from the hose going into the firewall, that fixed the heating and leaking issue.
I fixed the taillights, by tearing apart the whole dashboard and finding a screw in a lighbulb socket. This caused a short, popping the tailight fuse.
With the help of the Ken, he sent me some new door hinges and a new gas tank door spring, these items came the same day as my purchase of new seat motors, and a new seat belt. All these installs actually went smoothly.
Taking apart the dome lights, i come to find it was not grounded properly. I fixed it but it still goes out once in awhile.
New radiator cap, One day she overheated and sprayed coolant all over. I was so scared, turned out it was the cap. With some awesome observation on my part the next day I figured this simple fix out.
As of today Dec 1 2008 I am currently trying to redo the suspension.
I am currently trying to put in new polyurethane bushings.As well I am replacing the strut/spring assembly.
As of today Jan 6 2009, the suspension is done. Finishing one side of the suspension with my brothers help was great, but then the cold weather and snow arrived.
I brought it to my mechanic and had it done for a reasonable price (I didn't want to leave it in the snow with parts off and such, so I figured the smartest bet was to have it done by someone i trust at a decent speed.)
Last night I retorqued my headbolts, did a tuneup, and began the Custom Intercooler Installation.
With the new suspension she sits high and rides stiff as hell.
The wheel is no longer turned and no longer bounces around.
This was where I left off in Jan of 2009...
The car ran like crap after everything. It just showed bad signs of BHG. I parked it and tried to gather resources.
I got an engine stand and hoist from Harbor Freight. I bought some expensive bolts that were guarenteed to hold the 7MGTE on the stand.
Halloween 2009 My friend and I started to pull the engine. It was a long process but we got it out. Only one item broke, and that was the power steering line. I thought more bolts and such would have broke.
April 7 2010 We got the block disassembled and brought to a reliable machinist. He finished boiling, facing valves, and cleanup mill on the head already as well.
I am now organizing every part with pages of EPC (pictures of my organization method will be up soon)
The block is going to get a boil, Cleanup Hone, deck mill, and another boil. the crank is just going to get a polish and balance with flywheel and clutch setup.
I will most likely change all internal bolts, rings, and bearings. Everything was in extremely clean condition. It looks like to me someone put either the wrong HG or somehow put it on backwards. The bearings were really clean, very surprising.
So far the only thing that worries me is two of the readings from the plasti gauge. I have all the numbers at home so I don't want to post bad information, I will put them up when I go home.
The engine will be mated up with a w58 I purchased from shaeff.
Right now I have a few questions going through my mind...
Must I buy new main studs if I am not trying to make more than 400 horses?
If I buy new rod bolts do the pistons have to be reconditioned? Must I even change the rod bolts?
I do not want to skimp, but this rebuild is so i can have the car to Daily Drive and love for about a year, then I will go back in with ALL NEW internals. If I have to get new internal bolts then I will, but if it is acceptable to stick with what I have, I would rather do that.
I will post all the pictures I have when I go home and get my Microsd to SD adapter.
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