1977 Celica 22R engine and Holly carb...

['77 Celica 22R]

So I found this 77 celica GT coupe for real cheap, engine not running, but I love this car. So I picked it up and towed it home. The guy who had it ruined the original 20R in it (no oil) and so he put a '84 22R from a truck in it. He also put on a Holly 2 barrel carb. I recreated linkage using cables and pullies from the hardware store, and plumbed the carb so it all runs. My parents owned this same exact car when they were younger and wondered why mine, even with the bigger engine, seems gutless. THey told me stories of how fast the car used to be, and how fun it was to drive. I love driving this car, it's my daily driver, but it really does seem gutless. Any ideas? I am almost wondering if I should get rid of the Holly and try to find original carb parts, or is it just because it's the truck engine? Thanks for any help you may have!!!

Matthew

[DCM]

The 22R should really make that car move. Have you checked the cam timing, ignition timing, plugs, valve lash, etc.?

[RA24_4_Me]

I had an RA24 with the 20R, even with mods the car just wasnt ever very powerful. It's just hard to make much power with a 20R or 22R.

['77 Celica 22R]

Originally Posted by DCM

The 22R should really make that car move. Have you checked the cam timing, ignition timing, plugs, valve lash, etc.?

As far as I know the timing is fine. I think I will throw in some new plugs because I don't know when the last time they were changed was. As far as the valve lash and cam timing, I think I might take it into a shop and see what they say about it. I really thought this would be a fast little car with the 22R in it. Thanks for the help! Let me know if you have any other ideas.

[DCM]

I'm comparing your car to my TE72 hatchback, close to the same size. That car would bury the speedometer in 3rd gear and was quicker than my neighbour's '92 integra.

edit: I swapped in a 22R and W58 transmission.

[xak5]

do a compression check and leak down test you might have a poopy intake gasket.
thouht number 2--- replace your powervalve, when carbs sit the diaghpram, or however u spell it, rots. you car might run like poo if the power valve leaks fuel, making it too rich to run right. rebuild the carb, its not hard ican help if u wish

[xak5]

is "poopy" not approperate for the forum? im new so tell me please senior posters

[stepho]

I have a '77 Celica too.
Mine has an 18R-G twincam but the 22R should make reasonable power.
Plenty of people have put the 22R into the '77 and have been very happy.
It shouldn't feel gutless and should happily keep up with modern non turbo engines.

I'd be suspicous of the Holley carb.
Is it meant for this engine size or a much bigger engine (eg V8)?
A big carb on a medium size engine will be gutless.
Most people run either the standard carb or a Weber 32/36.

Do all the usual checks.
Timing, plugs, leads, , fuel filter, air filter, etc.
Check for smoke (worn rings, valves).

DCM,
A 22R in a TE72 is pretty unusual.
Did you have any trouble making it fit?

- Stepho

[DCM]

Originally Posted by stepho

DCM,
A 22R in a TE72 is pretty unusual.
Did you have any trouble making it fit?

- Stepho

No, but I had too fab some engine mounts, use an early MAxx series celica-supra transmission crossmember and front half of the driveshaft, which bolts directly to the existing Corolla rear driveshaft section, a surprising discovery.
I also used the stock electric fan, as the clearance from the water pump hub to the rad is quite small, too narrow for any clutch fan.
The stock air cleaner body from the 22R fits under the hood with minimal clearance as well. With the engine sitting on the mounts, there is about 3/8" gap between the oilpan and the front subframe crossmember. I had to use the Corolla's fuel cut solenoid, too, and it fits the 22R carb.

[stepho]

DCM,

Thanks for the reply.
Regarding the tailshaft.
I've had simialr pleasant suprises swapping tailshafts between an '80 Carina (2T engine) and a '77 RA28 Celica (18R-G engine) and a '77 TA28 Celica (2T engine) .
Thankfully Toyota loves parts bin engineering.

- Stepho

['77 Celica 22R]

DCM, xak5, stepho-

Thanks for all the suggestions. It helps a ton, and gives me more things to try before taking it in to the shop. the carb on the engine was bought brand new, and i got the car right after the guy put it on the car. it's the holly 350 CFM 2 barrel (which has a manual choke) so i don't think it's a carb made for a v8. I looked at the Weber carbs (32/36)...was the original carb on the 77 a one barrel? If so, would the Weber 34 ICH be a better choice? It would be nice to get an original carb and throttle linkage to put back on the car, but I'm not sure where to find all of those parts.

The timing, plugs, oil/fuel/air filters are all fine and changed within a couple months ago. There isn't any smoke coming from the engine, so I would say there are no worn rings of valves either. There was smoke at one point in time, but it was from a loose exhaust manifold, which was been bolted properly.


Thanks again!

http://tccec.informe.com/index.php

[stepho]

I seem to remember having a Holley 350CFM on my otherwise stock Ford 302 (5000cc) engine many years ago.

Your '77 Celica originally had a 2 barrel carb (1 primary, 1 secondary) but I can't remember the CFM specs.
Here in Australia, the Weber 32/36 was used on a 4100cc 6 cylinder Ford engine in the 80's, so it is very easy to find in wrecking yards.
Plenty of Aussies have put it onto the 2000cc 18R-C using a simple adapter plate from Redline, so it should also be a good choice for the 2400cc 22R.

If I was a betting man, my money would be on the carby being the wrong size - or at least with the wrong chokes and jets.
Ask a carby shop if they think it is too big or not.

- Stepho

['77 Celica 22R]

So the problem turns out to be the distributor. It was not timing right, but still ran, it just had no guts. I took out the distributor and turned it one tooth, then put it back in, timed it (at 8 or 10 degrees) and the played with the carb mixtures and idles...it's a champ now! That engine really has some power and now I can feel it...tons of fun!

Thanks for all the help guys, it just took some time in fixing it.

[stepho]

Glad it was so simple. Nothing like checking the basics before replacing parts
- Stepho

[DCM]

Right arm!