Newbie with a bone stock Corolla DX

[Oldyota]

Hello everyone.......... New to the Corolla scene and needed some info..... First off this a stock 89 Corolla DX with 210K showing. I just bought this car b/c it came with every service since it was delivered in 88. I haven't gotten a FSM yet, but I'm needing to know the valve clearances, as well as the timing degrees. I've been working on 22R's for the past 5 years and this is my first 4AF, so any help is appreciated. Another question is what kinda gas mileage am I looking for? I'm currently getting about 380 miles on a full tank on the HWY, is this right? Or should it be higher?

Thanks,

Oldyota

[kilo_tech]

hey oldyota whats goin on. the valve clearances for a 4af(e) are Valve Clearance (Cold)Intake 0.006 - 0.010 inExhaust 0.008 - 0.012 in
and your timing degrees i belive are Fig. 5 Timing Mark? not sure if that is what u needed but for future reference or help go onto http://library.alldatapro.com


and about your gas milage, i have a 91 4afe corolla dx sedan with 213k, stock motor,and i got 390 miles on my last tank. i only have an air intake on my car. so i would think you are in the ball park. gas milage might differ also depending on which gas station you go to. i only go to shell and 76. hope that answers all your questions

[tashirosgt]

The timing procedure for the 4A-F (which is not fuel injected):

Disconnect the vaccum hoses from the distributor sub-diaphram and plug the hose ends.
Set the idle speed: 750 RPM for Manual Transmission, 850 RPM for Automatic Transmission.
Set the timing to 5 deg before top dead center.

Check the behavior of the timing as follows:
Unplug the hose ends and reconnect the hoses to the distributor sub-diaphram.
Check that the timing changes within 10 to 16 deg before top dead center (at the same RPMS as above).

Some '89 models may have the fuel injected 4AFE, which has a different timing procedure than the one above.

[tashirosgt]

If you take the valve cover off to measure valve clearences, remember to replace the dabs of gasket compound on the head near the camshafts so the head won't leak there. Since the valve cover must be removed in order to remove the top section of the timing belt guard, it would also be a good time to inspect your timing belt.

[Oldyota]

Hey thanks everyone who chimed in.... That's exactly what I was looking for, and on another note I was wondering what is the best replacement for struts/coils for this car. Right now its as loose as a goose and floats all over the road. New tires are coming tomorrow and I'm sticking with stock size and I was going to pick up some new struts as well. I'm looking for a more a stiffer ride but still comfortable. Let me know what you guys think..... Thanks Again.....

[albertmdh]

welcome to the corolla world. you'll love it. Gas mileage sounds right on, less than I was getting at first, a little more than Im getting now. most I've gotten from a tank was 620 miles, worst is 270.