My fx16gts

[Toyofx16gts]

I bought this car with the 4age dismantled a little. The previous owner told me it was making a strange knocking noise, and tried to figure it out himself didn't have the time or money to really look into it, I had been looking for a corolla after my gf was given a 91 sr5 coupe and I enjoyed it a lot, but I wanted a hatchback. Came across the add on craigslist went and looked at the car knew it would be a lot of work and bought it anyway for 500bucks. I thought I would have the thing up and running by now, but of course right when I bought it my hours at work got cut more than HALF. and my car money went straight into my emergency money.

Anyway its been sitting for awhile I've been SLOWLY saving up and I stumbled upon a 4AGE Bluetop for 350obo. I know its an mr2 motor but its still a 4AGE with the transmission in differently right? or am I completely wrong?

I apologize if I ask stupid or simple questions this is my first car, and my first project of this size, really the only thing wrong with the car is the motor :P

I was reading some other forums and people who have the 4AGE motor and some were saying there crankshaft was screwed up and all kinds of different things..

oh btw this 4AGE that's in the car now has about 300K miles on it

So basically I'm wondering should I get this bluetop and swap parts on it to my motor, would it be smart, pros and cons, etc.

I'll say it again I'm sorry if I ask stupid questions or thigns that seem obvious I'm pretty new to this, but I know it can be fun and once I get my car up and running it'll be a blast!

Thanks everyone!

[Donald]

I would say that buying this other engine might mean you end up with two engines with problems.
Unless you are guranteed that the other engine is in good running condition, or the one in the car now is terminal, I would suggest you give good thought to rebuild the one in the car

That knocking noise could be valves out of adjustment, a loose connecting rod cap, or a worn piston.

The first thing to do, is determine the condition of the engine that is in the car. If the engine runs, try to determine wether the noise is coming from the top or the bottom of the engine.

Noise from the top would probably be valves. From the bottom could possibly be connecting rod cap, or piston.

I don't know what your mechanical capabilities are, but I will suggest that whichever route you go, get yourself a Toyota shop manual from < books4cars.com >
I promise you will be glad you got one, the Haynes or Clymer manuals don't compare.

The MR2 engine will swap right in, but not the gearbox (the linkage is on the opposite side and would need to be modified).
Some of the accessory mounts (alternator/power steering) will probably need to be swapped but that is not a big deal.

The later (newer) 4A-GE engines have a larger diameter connecting rod journal, making the crank stronger, and more stiffening ribs on the block, making the block less succeptable to flexing. Those are known as 7 rib blocks, and I think started in the 1989 GT-S (AE92, FWD) Corolla.
That would be the better engine, although the older ones are still good engines, and will do just fine.

Good luck.

(The only stupid question, is the one that doesn't get asked, which costs you in the end)

[Sznaps]

both engines that you have share same crankshaft. Bigger diameter crankshaft was in smallport 4age -> in general in last generations of this engine (redtop, gze, 20v).

So if the engine from mr2 is good then it should be ok. Would be even better to swap whole engine rather than switching the internals (just the engine).

Knocking noise on old 4age in 90% cases is unfortunately crank bearings which as a result mean that you have to change them and in most cases it also means that the crankshaft itself is beyond repair. Engine rebuild itself costs more than two things you have bought so far so if you already have this second engine just replace the old one and keep fingers crossed when starting it up :-)

[Donald]

Originally Posted by Sznaps

both engines that you have share same crankshaft. Bigger diameter crankshaft was in smallport 4age -> in general in last generations of this engine (redtop, gze, 20v).

So if the engine from mr2 is good then it should be ok. Would be even better to swap whole engine rather than switching the internals (just the engine).

My 1989 GT-S, bigport TVIS engine, had a 7 rib block with the larger diameter crank shaft.

[Sznaps]

indeed you are right I just checked there were such versions.