The poor creature...

[blackknight]

Greetings. I have long considered purchasing an 86.5 Supra from an elderly neighbor of a family member. Although the burgandy beast started up without any hesitation (at 186,000 miles and after no starts for at least two years), the vehicle in question was far from normalcy. To save time, here are the mystery symptoms:

- thick oil residue buildup within the intake manifold
- vibration within the car at 2700-3200 Rpm
- an oil slick of at least 2 qts leaked out when 1st gear was engaged
- small, white oily smoke out of the exhaust, along with a "put put" sound

I am well aware of the 7M-GE's head gasket defects, and coupled with this block's high mileage, I most likely need to overhaul or replace the engine. However, I have researched this offline for two years now, to no avail. And, as I do not own this vehicle, I am unable to perform a leak-down test or a compression test. So I have posted in the hopes that I will learn what ails the pitiful thing, and to know how to proceed with this tragic circumstance. Thank you for your time.

 

[jgcable]

Probably a BHG and lots of dry rotted hoses and gaskets. Seals are probably shot too.
Put Put Put and white smoke out of the tailpipe on a 186K motor is 95% of the time a BHG. The oil slick could be anything but usually its not a good sign.

 

[iwannadie]

It all comes down to how much they want for it. An elderly neighbor who prolly will never look to drive it again might sell it dirt cheap, especially with all the obvious problems.

 

[blackknight]

The older gentleman is asking from 300 to 500 dollars for the Supra. I have around 1000 to put towards this for now. A new 7M is around 800 dollars shiped from ebay, and i was also wanting to put in an HKS metal head gasket in, and i believe that's around 150 dollars. That's my gameplan for now.

I've been looking at some of the head gasket replacement guides here on SM and it is way cheaper than the new engine and everything needed to swap it. But i cant decide if fixing the old engine (or at least geting the old engine up to good, running condition if possible) would be worth it...

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

This new motor you are talking about, is it a JDM? If so they should be tore down, checked, HG done, new water pump, oil pump, etc. You would be better off rebuilding the original if possible.

 

[BlackDynamite]

The older gentleman is asking from 300 to 500 dollars for the Supra. I have around 1000 to put towards this for now. A new 7M is around 800 dollars shiped from ebay, and i was also wanting to put in an HKS metal head gasket in, and i believe that's around 150 dollars. That's my gameplan for now.

I've been looking at some of the head gasket replacement guides here on SM and it is way cheaper than the new engine and everything needed to swap it. But i cant decide if fixing the old engine (or at least geting the old engine up to good, running condition if possible) would be worth it...

Just rebuild the engine you got. It will be cheaper in the long run. You COULD buy the hks, but you need to have the head and block machined(in my opinion) to seal the BEST! SO a new set of arp head bolts, and a new head gasket will do just fine and cost the same. Remember, put about 85 Ft pounds(about) on the arp head bolts in the tightening sequence(located in TSRM, link down bottom), not 56 like the repair manual says. :] With that many miles, i'd have the head rebuilt, a new water pump, a new oil pump, spark plugs and wires.

This link should help! TSRM

 

[lewis15498]

This new motor you are talking about, is it a JDM? If so they should be tore down, checked, HG done, new water pump, oil pump, etc. You would be better off rebuilding the original if possible.

IIRC theres guys on ebay that get 7Ms and rebuild them, and sell them for like 800 bucks. However for that little $$ I would be weary of the build's quality.

 

[blackknight]

The engine itself seems very much intact, and I could see myself in the spinning camshafts! I was maybe thinking that that one of the cylinders was seized because of the buildup in the intake manifold and that vibration at 3000 RPM. But another friend, who had just replaced the gaskets on his 57 Chevy Bel-Air, just told me today that the vibration could be play because of the head gasket. Any merit to either theory?

And thank you all, especially BlackDynamite for the TSRM link, all of your opinions and knowledge are greatly appreciated!

 

[AJ'S 88NA]

The vibration could be several things, have to tear it down and find out. Could be a spun rod bearing, too much play in the bearings, rubber torn in the crank pulley, loose pulley, and a few others. HG cause of it, don't think so. Don't drive it with the HG bad, you'll just cause more damage. Oil and water don't mix, and the water will keep oil away from the bearings.

 

[PureDrifter]

sounds more like the car has a bad misfire or maybe one of the cylinders isnt firing at all. the "put put" sound you're hearing is very likely the motor running on an odd number of cylinders, 3 or 5. i'd pull the plugs to see what shape they're in.

 

[iwannadie]

I'd say buy it and fix what's wrong with it not replace the motor unless you get into it and see something drastically wrong. For 300 bucks it can't be that bad off.

 

[IJ.]

"put putt" is usually a burnt valve and not a huge issue if it hasn't been driven for a year or so like that.

 

[blackknight]

Great! wow, I didn't expect this much good feedback. Well, it is only 500 or so... and my 93 Tercel (complete with 85 horsepower 12-valve SOHC 3E-E engine and 3 speed auto lol) is too boring for words. I just wanted to get an idea of what this project could require. If anyone else has any ideas or suggestions, they are gladly excepted. I will try to post pics soon as I can. Thanks again!

 

[NewWestSupras]

If the body and interior are mint then the driveline can be fixed/changed. (If you have a garage and tools and alot of patience/money). Supras are cool. Money pits, but good drivers when they are all fixed. Costs a shitload, though. Post some good pics! gl.