1990 camry LE V-6 question

[1990Toyota]

Hey guys, I got a 1990 Camry LE V-6. Im swapping the motor for a used one, but it seems the current motor in my car has a red wire that connects to the front fuel injection wiring harness with a gray conenctor, and goes under the intake manifold on the drivers side??? This is by the water outlet pipe. The new engine from a 89 DX doesnt have this wiring.

So I'm wondering what is this thing that goes under the manifold? Is it a LE only thing? Does anybody know or possibly have a picture? Thanks!

[white90dx]

There are a few wiring differences between the '89 and '90 V6 engines, I think. What you are seeing is probably the oxygen sensor harness, as it is located in the valley between the two heads (under the intake manifold).

You should be using the wiring harness, injectors, etc. from your current motor. Hopefully the correct spot for the knock sensor is there on the '89 motor...

-Charlie

PS. The diagrams actually list the knock sensor connector as green... So that puts some doubt in my mind.

edit: nevermind... the connector at the knock sensor is green, but there is a secondary two wire connector that is grey that leads to the knock sensor.

[1990Toyota]

Thanks!

I just called the dealer, seems that yes it is the knock sensors.

Is it true the timing belt needs to be removed to take off the intake manifold??

Aside from this and the plenum, everything seems to be a direct swap.

Im thinking of stripping off the knock sensors from my 90 and relocating them on the 89 block. Any thoughts or tips on this?

[white90dx]

It should be fairly easy to remove the intake manifold (upper and lower to get to the knock sensor). Replace the spark plugs, valve cover gaskets and intake manifold gaskets while you are in there. Timing belt can stay in place, but you should consider replacing it on the 'new' motor so you don't have to do it again later with the motor in the car (timing belt, tensioners, idler pulleys, water pump, thermostat...).

My worry would be whether the '89 block is drilled and tapped for the knock sensor.

-Charlie

[1990Toyota]

thanks!

This motor seems to have had the t-belt and waterpump changed recently as they look brand new so I'll probably leave that. I plan to swap over my spark plugs (expensive ones!) and kinda refresh it with valve cover gaskets etc...

I just checked, and like you said it doesnt look like the timing belt has to be removed for the intake removal although the haynes manual says to?? It looks liek theres a smal lbracket that bolts to the manifold for the idler pulley but thats all

The book also says to pul lthe trans out as well with the motor....any thoughts? Id prefer to just pul lthe motor....cause im kinda lazy lol

But m also kinda worried about those knock sensor provisions though...

[1990Toyota]

update....well, the book is WRONG about having to pull the timing belt to remove the manifold thank goodness....but....the older motors have provisions for the knock sensor like the wire mounting bracket, the coolant pipe even has a bend so the sensor can fit in there.....but the block doesnt have provisions for the sensor to screw in. in fact theres nothing to even drill and tap....

Luckily, it seems the sensor screws into one of the engine to trans holes, and the wire just reaches so i'll be using that