Oh my god you guys are funny
yeah I can update.... I should really write on here more, I'm sorry!! I'm just not super huge on social media at all so sometimes getting on the internet is a struggle. So ... I forgot where I left off so I'll just tell you what I am doing now:
First of all, Van: thanks for the torque plate you are a lifesaver. Brian told me that another supra ower had volunteered it for my use and I am so grateful! I had no idea it was you
So after Nationals, I drove my car for the rest of the summer, making several trips to the border of Canada where a new friend of mine lives
On one of these trips, my transmission stopped going into, and staying into first gear. I knew I had to do something about it, and thinking that I may be able to find a new trans and swap it in, and also replacing my headgasket (I finally stopped being in denial and just admitted I was losing mass amounts of coolant) ... but then I did some research, found out that R154s really are not as cheap as the transmission I've replaced 3 times in my Rabbit, and decided I would just yank both the motor in trans. I did this in September, on a weekend where there was a cruise going on in Canada that I desperately wished I was attending.... I was alone in the shop and had never pulled a motor in a Supra before. Man, they say its worse going back in so this will be a struggle!! Maybe I will be able to find a helping hand for that part.
I have some pictures that I will post up at some point, but basically pulled the motor and discovered that my headgasket, not only was a stock composite one (despite what the previous owner had posted in his for sale ad) and that it had blown on the notorious Cylinder #6. I had annihilated the first gear operating sleeve (or... a year of me driving it and countless miles from other people beating on it). Thank god I took a class on transmissions a few years ago when I applied for a scholarship to do some schooling. I at least figured out how to tear the thing apart.
Fast forward to today:
So, I will be getting the head and block back from M&B cylinder heads this Friday. Then, I'll be installing the new pistons, old rods with new bushings, ARP hardware etc.. The block was old, worn, and had to be bored over... No big deal. (side note: I still need to purchase a spring compressor tool and maybe some tool to install the springs also. I'm limited by funds (and my pathetic $15/hr wage with no overtime allowed. :-/). I had the head pressure tested, washed, resurfaced, and new valve guides and seals. Brian also adjusted the valves for me because he's a badass
I put about 40 hours into porting and polishing the head (had some help from my boyfriend for several hours too during a couple weekends!) and I think it turned out pretty sweet. I'll know for sure when I get it on a flow bench later...
Block was bored over and resurfaced also for my metal headgasket. Crank polished and mic'ed, new bearings... new rod bushings.
Now I've just got to put it all together...
I am still waiting on my HKS stopper Headgasket, oil pump, and a few random front engine seals. I scored a factory Toyota oil pump through WorldPac for less than $200. Thanks, work.
there was nothing wrong with mine, and I had no oiling issues that I know of, but I figure that while I am here, I might as well replace it. It's just cheap insurance for later. The whole point is building this thing to be the most reliable a 7M can be...
While the engine is out I've washed and degreased the entire engine bay, scuffed it all up and brushed on some paint. Oh, and shaved and cleaned up the engine bay a little bit, too. I painted it white. I used a 3-part marine grade paint that resists heat and chemicals. Sweet. Also it took so long to dry that the brushstrokes are invisible. I used the same paint before like 6 years ago to paint the engine bay of my VW Rabbit. It looks awesome. And super glossy! I have some more cleanup to do, but it's well on it's way.
The other thing I'm waiting on right now is an operating sleeve for my R154. I picked up a few syncros from the dealer and marlin crawler billet shift forks and first gear thrust washer etc. Kind of a cheap, quick rebuild but I just want it back on the road, goddamnit.
By the way, I apologize for having no pictures up this time I normally post a million and a half, but I'm writing from my phone, and I'm too technologically inept to figure out how to upload a picture or 2,222 pictures so I'll do it from my computer later.
And thanks again for your continued interest in my build... You are making my first build thread a success!!
