Just got an '88 Corolla SR5, questions

[Ill_Killa]

Hi, first time to this forum, and first time inquiring about opinions on a car!

My first car I ever bought was a 91 Corolla Sedan that I wrecked due to rain and bad road conditions. Been scraping through life looking for another chance to jump on a Corolla, I loved the way it ran and the way it drove.

I work at a scrapyard that occasionally gets some nice running cars in there, and this '88 Corolla SR5 came in, I talked to my boss about it and got a deal at 550, 600 after tax. I've finally gotten to the point in my life where I can afford to buy a car flat out with cash *albeit not a whole LOT of cash*.

This car runs great but here is the condition (pictures to come):

Exterior: Straight as an arrow, everything works, lights including flip up capability, wiper arms need replacing and I think I'm going to have to seal the rear "wing" windows at the moulding.

Interior: Wet... wet... wet. The previous owner was obviously a mother/father the back seat, which I removed, had cheerios and some funk on it. I don't plan on carting anyone around in this, that's what my Jeep is for, so I can either get another rear seat bottom OR my fiancee and I think it would be cool to custom build speaker boxes .

Engine: Runs great, a little bog down when it's cold out and I let off the choke. No problems starting, no problems accelerating (at all... let's just say I blew that Honda away), only issue is on shut down is a sputter, I'm not sure how to stop it, I'm sure just a tune up will fix that.

Steering: Great handling, tie rod front driver side needs replaced and tires need rebalanced.

For the questions:

1) This ride is already really really low, I've bottomed out a couple times on speed bumps. Can these take 14"? I've got 13s on there right now.

2) Is there a common place these things leak? I noticed a little hole in the moulding around both sides wing windows, and it would appear to leak into moulding inside and come through the hooks for hanging shirts I think. My carpet is soaked at the moment, driving it around and the heat from that seems to dry out the carpet a little at a time. It would appear it's coming from the front cowling, but not from the heater core because I still get heat, and it's not coolant.

3) This place seems like an awesome place to meet fellow fans of this car. What would you guys suggest I do with this car, and since it has only 163k on it, what can I do to get another 140k +?

[j2b4osan]

Hi, welcome to the forum!
they leak fairly often through the sunroof if you have one if not I would check window seals. the trunks tend to take on water but luckily there is a convenient drain hole at the bottom below the spare. the sputter upon turn off is prob just a badly tuned carb I rebuilt mine for like 12$ or something and it made a big difference in how mine ran. the car can easily take 15" wheels as thats what most of us on the forum are running which makes tires a bit easier to get. is it an auto or manual? either way if you take really good care of her you can probably get another 100k out of her easy. but if its a manual its more likely for the tranny to last.

I would start with all the needed neglected maintenance that needs to be done. tune up, seals, timing belt, carb rebuild, tires, suspension components and so on...

GOOD LUCK

[Ill_Killa]

Thank you for the warm welcome! I took it up to my dad's yesterday and, with his plethora of tools, stripped the interior and checked some seals. The trunk leaks on the right side. I located all 3 plugs and pulled them. I found no leaks at the sun roof, but the wing window on both sides are leaking. Bought a 1.99 tube of sealant and just have to wait for it to stop raining.

My dad has been a mechanic my entire life, and has offered his services/use of his shop to tune it up so I don't have to worry about that, as I'm not a gearhead quite yet. It is a 5 speed manual, I am replacing the shift knob with a custom one that I'm in the process of making. I bought one of the ones with the neon light inside *blue* and am going to sandpaper the outside, and tape off a scorpion on top, and paint it pitch black. It's an experiment but if it works correctly it's going to be really cool.

[tuso4l]

Welcome to the fourm i actually just recently bought an sr5 my self its my second ae92

[Donald]

For the engine sputter, as said before, have the carb cleaned, replace the spark plugs and check the timing.

Leaks:
*The sunroof has four drains, make sure those aren't clogged, The two at the front are easy to see, but the two at the back you will probably need to check by pouring water in there. The water runs out the back from the bottom of the trim garnish behind the rear side windows, and down the outside of the body.

*The tail light seals leak. Pull those out and seal with butyl.

*The outside trim at the bottom of the back glass has screws that hold it in place, and water gets in past those and under the parcel shelf (rear deck). Pull the trim strip off and seal around the plastic insert nuts, then reinstall the screws while the sealer is still wet.

Do not use clear silicone, it is corrosive. If you do use silicone, use the black gasket sealer.

Replace all four shock struts with KYBs. That will stop the bottoming, and give you a great ride.

[REN69]

They'll take up to 17s (even 18s ) the question is will they look good?

My choice max would be 16s.