5S-FE powered Camry All-Trac build thread

[white90dx]

It took a fair amount of cranking to get my Alltrac started after the motor swap. I think it just takes a little bit to get everything going (fuel pressure, etc.). I also had one loose ground and one connector under the dash disconnected.

I wouldn't worry about white smoke at the moment - its cold up there and it might just be condensation. I'd say just put distilled water in the radiator for now, but you can't because of the cold weather!

You already know most of the popular oil leaks. Check under the distributor for oil... but I would suspect something on the trans though, since you did pull off the transfer case assembly. New engine oil doesn't have much smell, but the gear oil always smells like gross fish. If you need to / want to do the axle and rear output seal, you'll want to get the 3 big seals and the o-ring for the right axle. I can get part numbers for you if you want them. (my Alltrac is currently down getting new axle/output seals at the moment - a 3" puddle of gear oil after every drive is no good...)

Good luck getting it back together!

-Charlie

PS. I don't know how you work when its cold outside... Its gotten below freezing the last 4-5 nights here and I can't get myself out to the garage in the evenings.

['88 All-Trac]

All new seals on the engine, new o-ring on the distributor... I'm thinking I flubbed the t-case seal... CV shaft seals are new, as well. There was no gear oil leaking passed the driveshaft, so that isn't an issue. Still not 100% where it's leaking from- I ate some clam chowder and got kinda sick (oops) so I'm getting a later start today than I had wanted.

When I get it running, I'm going to run distilled water with a cleaning agent, then drain/fill with straight distilled water, and then drain/fill with a gallon of antifreeze then top off with more distilled water. I want to get it running right (no giant leaks) before I do this, so I can do it all in one stretch and not worry about it freezing and cracking the block.

I wear a lot of jackets and those gloves with the finger tips cut off... And I'm a country boy. I'm used to this weather.

['88 All-Trac]

Quick update... looks like it's engine oil. I checked it against the gear oil I drained out of the transmission, it's darker and thinner. Going to pull the trans so I can better inspect the back of the engine. I'm thinking oil pan but an not 100%. sorry for bad grammar, I'm on about 4 hours of sleep. am running on another 5 hour energy and a mountain dew... and I'm updating from the phone. Swype beta 1.4 doesn't like the browser much.

- Dave


Wish me luck!

[mcx]

try and snug down on the valve cover.

['88 All-Trac]

Got the trans off. No oil from valve cover, distributor, or oil pressure sensor.

You know where it's coming from?

The head gasket.

Does a lot to explain why it didn't happen right away- I had to pressurize the system first. Pics coming shortly... It's pretty obvious there is no fresh oil above the head gasket, but there's quite a low directly below it.

Fuck me, right? Certainly not taking it to class tomorrow. Maybe next week.


Pics:




The flash did a nice job capturing the fresh oil.


It also explains why the leak got significantly worse when the engine was running.

*sigh* Shit's not getting done before classes start, that's for sure. Hope the head isn't warped...

[71Corolla]

I hope it's not the head gasket, but it does look like it. These engines have been known to leak from that area, my '87 slowly seeps oil from the same place, I put RTV on the edge between the head and block and it slowed it down enough where I hardly see it. But your leak is too big for that, sucks.

['88 All-Trac]

Yeah, it dumped maybe 1/2 quart during all of my cranking and the ~30 seconds it was running.

It's no biggie, I've already got the engine back out (as the pics clearly show) and I'm not terrified of pulling a head. I've rebuilt the head in my Geo, have the head from my 3S-GE disassembled... What can ya do, you know?

I've got one waiting for my at the O'Reilly Auto Parts in Grants... We're going to go pick it up tonight. $52, which isn't so bad for a head gasket. The one in my Geo was ~$70.

[mcx]

damn, you cant get a break!!!...well you'll be the resident expert on removing and reinstalling in less than 24 hrs!! LOL

[white90dx]

I helped a buddy to a full rebuild on a Subaru engine in less than 24 hours (crank bearings)... not much fun, really. Interesting challenge though.

Pull the valve cover and check the torque on those head bolts. Maybe they were re-used from a previous head gasket replacement? The stock bolts are single-use parts... Which reminds me - make sure you get new head bolts when you do the gasket.

-Charlie

['88 All-Trac]

I've got a set of head bolts on order (they'll be in tomorrow or Friday- no telling yet) and they have a head gasket in stock.

I'll be picking up the gasket (and maybe the bolts) tomorrow.

['88 All-Trac]

Made something for everyone. Made me chuckle when I thought of it- unfortunately, I only have MS Paint and couldn't make it as nice as they usually are.

[dem2757]

im sorry but hahahahahah

hey before you do that teardown, be certain and but some dye in the oil. It could save you a TON of headache if for some reason its not the head. long shot though. Also check the torque on the head bolts themselves.

Basically do everything thats easy before you rip it apart. Even though im sure you have no issues refresing the gasket

['88 All-Trac]

230k on the motor, engine is already out of the vehicle... all of a couple hours to replace the gasket at this point. It's clean above the gasket, dirty under it, not uncommon for this to happen. Head looks like if has come off before, wouldn't be surprised if they didn't get newbolts. I'll just replace it...

Dye won't do me much good with the engine out.

[71Corolla]

230k, that's a fair bit of miles on the engine, although I've seen them go much higher. That's the problem I'm having, finding a 5S with a reasonable amount of miles on it. I would rather just drop in a low-ish mileage unit rather than rebuild, I don't have an engine stand or much room (or the time) to do a rebuild.

If you don't have a roloc disc, get one they are ideal for cleaning the surface of the block. On the cylinder head, I've used them but you have to be more careful.

[nogard]

Just as you rev it you can see a little leak, puff of smoke from the front of the head gasket?

Looking good...a sleeper you say, might want to do something a little different with that air filter . (Just giving you a hard time).

Too bad you had to take it all out again. There was a saying a work, "We do it nice, because we do it twice." The point when you realize you have to do it all over again sucks, but at least you have experience doing it. I remember when this happened to me on a truck transmission, spent the first day of my weekend taking it out, putting it in. Realized I had a mistake. Then spent the second day of my weekend taking it out again, fixing the mistake and putting it back in again. Isn't it amazing how fast it goes the second time around.

Like 71 Corolla said, dang you! I've always wanted a turbocharged car, and lately I thought a 5S-FE swapped 2nd gen Camry would be cool. Then I thought it would be double cool to combine the two. Well you are well on your way kudos to you! And to top it off it will be an All-Trac....Dang! Now the only way you could top that would be to put it all in a wagon (including All-Trac drivetrain) .

If you don't have a roloc disc, get one they are ideal for cleaning the surface of the block. On the cylinder head, I've used them but you have to be more careful.

Agreed on the roloc disc, they work well.