How much to fix rod knock if its a DIY job?

Shytheed Dumas

For Sale
Mar 6, 2006
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If cost effectiveness is your main priority, wouldn't it be best to see if anybody has a running long block with a post in "wanted to buy", swap the engine and sell the car for whatever you can get for it and then turn around and sell a rebuildable long block to somebody who has the time and money for a rebuild? Sounds like you've got some other parts, including a GTE short block that could go, too. Sum up what you've got afterwards and then buy something cheap and reliable. I get the same determination on things like this, but from what you've said it sounds like it might be better to just take the easiest route to selling the Supra and getting into something that will get the job done every day and inexpensively for now. Just another idea.
 

phoenix6

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Aug 13, 2006
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could there still be a chance this ISNT rod knock? I mean the piston playing like that, making that clink when I turn the crank with a breaker bar, is it for sure?

I just wanna clean the head myself, get it back together and see where to go from there. I just need a tool or method to get the valve keepers BACK on.
 

phoenix6

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I read that post before when it started.

I PM'd them to ask some questions.

Look I know Ive seemed frantic, this is all just looking like a heavy load. I really can handle it I just have to wait another month or 2 before I can afford this. I just found out last night my g/f ran us a $400 phone bill along side the fact that I owe $550 still on the car.

Im just not liking I cant drive my supra around for the next 2 months. I love this car and I hated imports before i bought it. This car has turned into my dream car.

I really from the bottom of my heart appreciate all the help and support you all have offered me. I contacted a few machine shops here in town and in the next week or 2 the motor is going to them for inspection. I CAN do this, I dont want to is the problem. Im 21, its time to grow the fuck up. I have a wonderful G/F who already said stop worrying, shell drive me anywhere I need to go. I feel so pathetic for that and I told her that, she said shut up, she didnt ask me, shes telling me shes gonna take care of me. On the second hand I have a mom who cant help financially but whenever its free I can use her car to get around.

I feel worthless at times for having to rely on everyone else who cares about me so much. I guess the hardest part for me right now is the wait, but again I really appreciate ALL of the help you guys have offered. You are all wonderful, nice, helpful people who dont sugarcoat shit for me, I appreciate the hell out of that.

I plan on doing this right, $1500 or not. I will keep everyone posted and if there is ANYONE in Houston who has any means of helping me Id appreciate it. I do need help with the engine hoist and stand, either best place to get one or if someone can let me borrow one. THats step one so far, I thank you all for showing me the steps I have to take at the least. Its time to walk the path.
 

TurboWarrior

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Apr 1, 2005
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a guy at toyota just told me that the bearings all have unique part numbers for each cylinder and have the part number on them and thats the only way he can order them without guessing.

Is that true?
 

phoenix6

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Uhh, dont know, as long as your in there doing it, replace them all. Clevites for Main and rod bearings (all of them) and thrust washers is only $80 online to order dude.

It never said anything about specific part numbers. Dealerships are raperships, they will fuck you without the lube with as much BS as they can.
 

steve_mk3

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
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middletown, NJ
OK, your commited to doing this correctly, thats an excllent starting place.

for starters you will need to get your engin out of the car. It is easiest to pull everythng as one unit then disassemble.

http://www.supramania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423

That link gives you the steps you will need to take. I bought my engine hoist from pep-boys or autozone, it was on sale for ~$100 I also bought a load leveler from e-bay for about $20. I would suggest you check to see if you can rent one or borrow one from a member in you area ( save some cash).

The you will need instructions on taking everything apart and putting it together-
http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/library/TSRM/index.html

So when your done reading make sure this is what you want to do. Remember your going to need all sorts of little thing hoses, fluids, shit that you didnt know was wrong etc.

Remember these cars are old and it will break again, if your going for reliable transportation I don't think this is the correct corse of action.
 

Shytheed Dumas

For Sale
Mar 6, 2006
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Louisville, KY
No worries Phoenix. I posted a pretty frantic post when I found a lot of oily buildup in my intake not long after I bought my car. So far so good, and my car keeps getting better as I continue tackling a shrinking list of issues. It can make a person panicky when you rely on your car, are short on cash, and still don't have a clue what the outcome is going to be. It's even worse when you really love the car and just don't want to dump it.

As far as taking a favor from your mom or gf goes, there's no shame in taking a little help when somebody is more than willing to offer it. And, it doesn't like you would let a favor go unreturned for long.

Anyway, good luck with your rebuild. I'd like to do a complete rebuild myself, and might try in another year or two. Keep us posted.
 

steve_mk3

Supramania Contributor
Mar 30, 2005
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TurboWarrior said:
a guy at toyota just told me that the bearings all have unique part numbers for each cylinder and have the part number on them and thats the only way he can order them without guessing.

Is that true?

To get the extreamly tight clearance toyota produces many bearings. When the engine came from the factory it was all measured and stamped with the specs. However seeing that these cars have lots of miles on them now, the only way to for sure get them right is remeasure everything and make sure to order the correct size.

Its all outlined in the TSRM at the Cygnusx1 site.

Steve
 

phoenix6

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Steve, Lou thank you so much. You are right, favors are not unnoticed by me or do they go unreturned.

Im gonna fix this car, drive it, save $3000 and buy a civic to drive as a DD and build this as a weekend car. Ive already put together a course of action, Im getting the equipment and everyone is being more than understanding that I wont have a car for the next month or 2.

I have to take that bitch out and take it to 1 of like 40 options in shops Ihave in my area for inspection/repair. Ive been looking over the work and know how for the past month, I am sure I want to do this.

THanks again guys and I WILL keep everything posted.

While the car is out for the count, Im gonna pull my interior, dye and paint all of it as well. Get myself the TRD shifter Ive been wanting, and do the SOGI Short Shifter Mod.

I also was blessed with a BRAND NEW FREE HG and a hardly used K&N FIPK Filter w/ adapter. So far so good. Ive got my PSP for sale and if it sells it will help ALOT. Ive got $150 coming to me from my dad int eh next week or 2, I do have a job pulling in roughly $270 a week after taxed (sucks I know but hey its money) and Ive got about $550 left on the car and a $400 phone bill. I know I can do this all in the next month or so, Any money saving tips Id appreciate though. Work I can do myself and ect.
 

born2drv

Banned
Nov 1, 2005
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good luck with the build man, i'm sorry to hear it wasn't just valve problems... i remeber parking my car for 5 years when i was in school after i just couldn't afford to fix her anymore, it's financially rough owning this car. i hope you get everything worked out..
 

phoenix6

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Yeah, I was hoping for it to be that. Thanks a ton for the information. Ill keep everyone posted, I posted a thread on the parts Im gonna need to buy so far.
 

phoenix6

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Its the cost, not the hardness LOL. Im a little worrid about the work actually. But the hardest part is getting the money to do all of this. I need like a solid $1300... hard to save up for with me.
 

Yellow 13

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Apr 4, 2006
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Are you doing the whole valvetrain as well or just the bottom?

I got pistons with rings for $200, main bearings for $70, and rod bearings for $50'ish. I think I mighty go ahead and do the oil pump while Im at it, but thats the whole bottom for under $500.
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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Phoenix: I wasn't trying to discourage you earlier it's just a fact of life even a mild easy rebuild on a 7M will cost many many $$$ :(

If you cut corners it will bitchslap you senseless and end up costing triple.
 

phoenix6

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Aug 13, 2006
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IJ. said:
Phoenix: I wasn't trying to discourage you earlier it's just a fact of life even a mild easy rebuild on a 7M will cost many many $$$ :(

If you cut corners it will bitchslap you senseless and end up costing triple.


No I know man, its all good. But, Im going for it... I just want all the help I can get. :evil2:

Yellow 13 said:
Are you doing the whole valvetrain as well or just the bottom?

I got pistons with rings for $200, main bearings for $70, and rod bearings for $50'ish. I think I mighty go ahead and do the oil pump while Im at it, but thats the whole bottom for under $500.

Well, I found rings for $50, havent found pistons that cheap, wanna point me to those? I found Main Bearings, Rod Bearings and Thrust washers for $80 total. Found a $200 oil pump too.

Im doing valvetrain also, well, making it LIKE new, but not replacing anything I dont HAVE to, maybe the guides... cleaning them all up though.
 

phoenix6

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Aug 13, 2006
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steve_mk3 said:
I dont have any knoledge of if these guys are any good but it looks like you can get a entire rebuilt engine for like $1600 or a shortblock for 1000.
Might be an option, but please ask around and see if they are any good.

http://www.importperformanceparts.net/


Checked them, tons of stuff coming from them, they rock from what I see so far. If they deliver good products, they ROCK.

WOW Overnight Autoparts looks great too. That stock piston set for $201 WITH rings, man thats awesome. I can find the rods on here, incase I need to replace mine.