What to look for in a 1989 NA Supra - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Tommy · 02-22-2005, 01:28 PM

Friday im going down with a friend to take a look at a 1989 Supra with 139,000 miles on it. Chick says it runs and drives good, but could use some engine work, didnt specify what. Any key points to look at? she wants 1800 for it.

damone · 02-22-2005, 02:32 PM

have the compression checked (blown headgasket isnt as common in n/a's but happens none the less)

If shes been drivin it around with a bad headgasket, about 99% chance she's caused further, more severe engine damage

repinS · 02-22-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damone

If shes been drivin it around with a bad headgasket, about 99% chance she's caused further, more severe engine damage

AKA rod bearings.

"could use some engine work" could mean anything, though I wouldn't be surprised if it was the head gasket. Get it checked out.

Jeeves · 02-22-2005, 04:22 PM

What Repin said ;-)

jdmsuprarhd · 02-22-2005, 04:30 PM

Try and check the speedo cable to make sure it works all the 89's that i have owned the speedo was off like 20-40 mph off or not working at all And what repin said

Tommy · 02-23-2005, 11:28 PM

thats what i thought, she says it drives and runs great though lol

Jeeves · 02-24-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevethecleric

thats what i thought, she says it drives and runs great though lol

My car ran pretty decent when it had a BHG. No white smoke, nothing. Coolant just was slowly disappearing.

Running great and driving great don't really mean much..

jdmsuprarhd, I've NEVER seen a supra speed that much off. They either work well, are Jittery (speedo needle shakes a bit) or they don't work and are broke. 40mph is an ass-ton to just be "off". I think you should quit exaggerating. False information doesn't do anyone any good.

supranerd1987 · 02-26-2005, 01:43 AM

my speedo is jittering...is that the sign that the cable is about to break?

***Ne0z31*** · 02-26-2005, 06:14 PM

mine does that too, its cause its a mechanical speedo and not an electrical one or somethin like that....

Jeeves · 02-26-2005, 10:57 PM

Frequently, yes. Mine did it for about 2 years before it broke, but yes. When the speedo cable is spinning in the sheath it's not spinning smoothly. When it's not spinning smoothly it catches and hangs in the sheath causing the 'jittering' and 'stuttering'.

Check here:
How to lube the Speedo Cable
How to replace the Speedo Cable

Both of those should help you solve your jittering issues.