Need help on an 87 7MGE

[Navy Dad]

Just getting into Toys.
Having a difficult time finding correct info/parts. Have an 87 Supra N/A. Bought the car for $300 needing a head gasket. I have already gone through the head and cams when I replaced the head gasket. Replaced timing belt and tensioner. Didn't think about checking the bottom end. #3 rod bearing spun, need new crank and rod. Just going for a budget rebuild, as the car only has 65K and all pistons, rings, cylinders look great.

The oil pump bolt backed out and caused the pump to starve. Found the bolt in the pan!

I have found stock parts at NAPA, but seem really expensive. $288 for crank, $234 oil pump, and $49 at RPM-Rons for the rod.

Is this normal for stock parts?


96 Camry 325,000 bought used at 306,000 for $400
87 Supra 65,000

[bgrieger]

Best bet for a budget build is to try the for sale section of Supramania.com. There are always guys there parting out the engines. That said, I have NEVER seen an oil pump that proved as reliable as the stocker from Toyota. IMO, it's worth the extra cash. You might look up Champion Toyota in Texas on line as they do mail order, and it's usually 25% less than your local dealer. Toyota bearings are also top notch, but many switch to clevite as well. The rest can be had used for half or less of what you see there used in good shape. Actually, I remember seeing a post the other day someone was selling a set of bearings and a crank already machined to match over on there.

[shaeff]

i'd go with a new stock pump, and new stock bearings.

[91_ToYoTa_CaMrY]

nice $300 beautiful deal

[Navy Dad]

Everybody. Thanks for the info.

Just got done talking to the local (smalltown) repair shop. This guy is letting me use his shop after hours, and ordering all of the parts at his discount. Getting the crank kit and oil pump from NAPA for $400 total. Still need to get the rod.

The car is for my 18 y/o son, and i am sure he will not be real easy on it.

Should I ever expect to see this happen again. (Has anyone else ever seen this?) It just seems strange that I would find the il pump bolt laying in the pan. He drove the car for 2 months after replacing the head gasket, and says he shut the car off after first hearing a knock.
#3 rod is approx 1/8" beyond original dia, and the crank has no bearing left.

[bgrieger]

Not uncommon, but it relates back to treatment by the owner in many cases (or former owner). The 7M engine is pretty bullet proof as long as you take care of the headgasket and don't let it get down on oil. The head bolt torque specified in the manual is WRONG (hence the reputation for blowing the gasket all the time). 56ft/lbs is way too low. An owner years back had a metalurgist examine the bolts and determined the torque should be in the low 70ft/lb range. The oil issue comes from the way Toyota designed it: low pressure, high flow. It is intolerant to low oil conditions, or poor maintainance. If those 2 things are covered, they will run with the reliability Toyotas are generally known for. Neglected, they will grenade from time to time.

Oh, while the shop is there, he might check and change springs in the oil squirters (easily accessable if the crank is out). The turbo cars have a set of piston oil squirters that spray the backs to help with cooling, and they have been known at this age to need a change in some. If they get too soft, you basically end up with an internal oil leak that will take away from the overall system pressure a bit.

[Navy Dad]

bgrieger:

Do the N/A cars have the oil squirter springs as well? You were saying that the turbo cars had them.
I don't have the crank al the way out yet, 'cause I want to remember how everything goes back together. I get the parts on Tuesday.

[bgrieger]

Originally Posted by Navy Dad

bgrieger:

Do the N/A cars have the oil squirter springs as well? You were saying that the turbo cars had them.
I don't have the crank al the way out yet, 'cause I want to remember how everything goes back together. I get the parts on Tuesday.

sorry...I misread your first post. The NA cars do not have the squirters...one less thing to worry about for you then.