Idiot Noobie Questions

[vuedoo]

Alrighty then... here is the situation: I am getting for free!!! a 1989 Camry Wagon that the engine sounds like a spoon rattling in a cup. The engine itself is a 3sfe. The car is rust free and interior is intact (except for the radio) with no tear in any of the fabric. Sooo...

I read how you can check the rods and bearing to see how bad it really is. But I am not very engine incline. Mechanical, yes. Engine, no. I can take the engine apart and put it back together, but the real question is: when I have the darn thing apart, what am I really looking for?

When I get the oil pan off, what exactly am I looking for? Rods? What rods? Should I just go and get a Haynes manual for this? What manual would you recommend? Is there anything like the BGB for this model camry? If there is such a thing... is there a online book or will I have to go buy one? Where would I even get such a thing? *whew!!!*

See what I mean... idiot noobie questions.

Oh and yes... if its gonna cost me more then a couple of hundreds to repair it, its getting replaced. I can get a used 3sfe in (tested) running condition for about $150 if I do the swap myself.

[Gary_602Z]

Might as well figure on replacing it for the 150.00

Gary

[88 LE]

^

Parts, machining, etc... is going to cost more then $150. So its not worth it to rebuild it.

When I get the oil pan off, what exactly am I looking for? Rods? What rods?

1. Unbolt the oil pan. Make sure you drain the oil first, but that should be obvious.

2. Look in the oil pan for any chunks of metal or metal filings. Either of which is not good.

3. Unbolt the rod caps, remove the rod bearings, look at the bearings + rod journals on the crankshaft and the big end of the rod (where the bearings seat against).


Piston and rod
--------------------





Rod cap removed
----------------------





Rod cap
-----------





Crankshaft, rod journals, and main caps. Rods and pistons removed
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Should I just go and get a Haynes manual for this? What manual would you recommend? Is there anything like the BGB for this model camry? If there is such a thing... is there a online book or will I have to go buy one? Where would I even get such a thing?

Haynes or Chiltons. Around $15 - $20 at a autoparts store.

BGB (big green book) / factory service manual. Look on ebay, search for "camry repair manual"

You can also buy factory repair manuals directly from Toyota. Around $80.


Online repair manuals at autozone.com:

http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker...ginRepairGuide

[vuedoo]

Wow!!! 88 LE, you are on my christmas list hehehe...

Alrighty then... I got another one for y'all. I cant get the engine until after christmas, as a stop gap tempoary measure, can I just replace the effected rod and bearing? If I do... how long will it last before complete meltdown?

[Gary_602Z]

Originally Posted by vuedoo

Wow!!! 88 LE, you are on my christmas list hehehe...

Alrighty then... I got another one for y'all. I cant get the engine until after christmas, as a stop gap tempoary measure, can I just replace the effected rod and bearing? If I do... how long will it last before complete meltdown?

You could but it is still not going to be worth the time an effort. A lot of depends on how bad the crank is, which you wouldn't know until you got it tore apart. I am not sure you can buy a single bearing set or if you have to get the whole rod bearing set. Also what shape are the mains in? If you do tear it apart make sure you put the caps back on the exact rods that they came off from, same with the mains. More then likley the rods themselves will be okay.

Gary

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by Gary_602Z

You could but it is still not going to be worth the time an effort. A lot of depends on how bad the crank is, which you wouldn't know until you got it tore apart.

I agree. If the engine is clunking/rattling, damage has been done.

The rods may or may not be okay, depending on how the bearings spun.

If the rod/main journals on the crank are badly scored, your looking at another crank.


If you want to rebuild it, salvage what you can. But its not worth it considering that can you buy another motor for $150.

[vuedoo]

Alrighty thanks guys...

How about this one: If I go another route and get a better engine, what would be the most cost effective (meaning no 3sgte, too expensive) that will bolt in without major (time consuming) modification?

Edit:

Oh... and I CAN get just one. A single rod and bearing. Just have to know who to ask and where to look *wink* hehehehe.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by vuedoo

How about this one: If I go another route and get a better engine, what would be the most cost effective (meaning no 3sgte, too expensive) that will bolt in without major (time consuming) modification?

Only engine that will bolt in without modification is another 3S-FE.

Oh... and I CAN get just one. A single rod and bearing. Just have to know who to ask and where to look *wink* hehehehe.

I junked the rods and pistons awhile ago. And you don't want used bearings.

[vuedoo]

nah... not used. I have a brother-in-law that works for a authorized toyota repair shop. He can order various bits and parts from the dealership hehehe.

And darn! I was hoping for something a little more kick then a puny 3sfe...