1988 Alltrac - Fiona v2

It would be cheaper to just rebuild what is in it, I agree. A part of me just wants to say screw this motor though. Between all the issues I have found with crap helicoil use, out of round bolt holes and random missing shit it seems like this motor was just abused by people who didnt know better.

The reason I am looking at a used motor is it is someone local to me that is taking it out of his mr2. He is willing to sell it to me for 300 with his 256 cams(i think thats right). I am thinking of going this route cause it will be easier to replace all the gaskets on a spare motor and that will keep the trac moveable for now. Then I can swap in a drivable motor. Also, from what I have seen of everyone else thread, no motor work is as cheap and simple as planned lol. And I know I would be no different.

Mind you, this car is not a DD and right now is only a project that I hope to have for this or next winter. My main concern is keeping it moveable so I can easily work on my main project, till she is "done".

There are 3 leaks. One under the exhaust manifold (assume HFH?), one near the oil pump and one at the back of the motor where it mounts to the trans.

MAF I am unsure of integrity. With everything else I have seen on this car, I would assume it has been messed with.

Timing I need to check, just was too excited when it started running so easily and then lost hope with all the noise at the top and bottom.

Injectors were "Cleaned" before through witch doctor I believe and the seemed the part in the screens and outside.

There may be a air leak somewhere, trying to develop some selective hearing lol.

And I appreciate any and all info and suggestions given, so keep them coming. And if I come off as stand offish, please disregard lol. Just too many ideas going through my head.

 

From whatI understand the HG may be on its way out, but the main reason for him dropping the motor is he has a 3rd gen he has been gathering parts for and is about ready to swap it in.

 

Agreed. He seems a stand up guy the few times I have met him. He helped me a year ago on my 5th gen and brough a compression tester over to figure out why my motor was blacking out my o2's.

My plan will be all new seals and gaskets.

 

Well, small update.

Over the last month or so I have done the following:
Removed the sunroof and sanded off all the rust spots. All rust was surface, so I sprayed converter after grinding off, primed and painted black. Just rattle can as the car will get a full repaint after Milla(Corolla) has her paint done.

Replaced the fuel filter and tried to investigate what appears to be a heavy PS leak. Believe its my PS pump, but could be rack too. I will investigate it next year as the car is about to get put back together and parked outside under a car cover for the winter. Again, Milla gets the best treatment, so she gets the garage so I can finish installing some bushings, cut springs and maybe install the ebay turbo I have, as well as other little tasks. Trying to milk the last bit of life from her motor before rebuild.

Also, after some reading, I think my wastegate gets stuck open after hitting boost. The few times I have been able to hit boost has been good, but right after there is no boost till after she sits for awhile.

On thge agenda if winter isnt too bad:
Replace the coolant temp sensor.
If driving issues continue, check the AMF/MAF and TPS.
Get some 6th gen celi wheels.
Hopefully next year put together a more trust worthy motor.

Pics of current status to come later, not like much has changed lol.

 

So, I have a winter project for my trac. I am going to make a fiberglass hood vent over the turbo. The plan will be to make it a bolt on until I get the ambition to try and make a fiberglass hood.
Here is the practice canvas:

The stuff to build/play with:

Ideas. Remember, these pieces will be triangles and connected lol. Just trying to figure out the path I want to take with looks.
Option 1:

Option 2:

Option 3:

Option 4:

Option 5:

Option 6:


Opinions?

 

Well, small update.

-I have made to skeletons for a vent and screwed both up lol. Need to find a better way to make the base. Option 1 is the design I am going with.
-She developed a rod or something knock when I was trying to troubleshoot her rev issue. She is officially parked till I get a different motor to put in her.
-For xmas I got an engine stand and hoist. That will help with the above.
-Also got some 15" steelies off a camry, so just need to find some cheap tires to throw on her for now, then I can sell the bling rims.

I hope to be able to bring her back into the garage in March/April. I am hoping that is when the snow will go away and I will be willing to park the Corolla outside.

 

Well, this is a small update for Fiona.


Plans for this upcoming year are a motor and paint. I may try and Megasquirt the motor and if I do I will replace the dashboard with a tablet and make the gauge cluster with Tunerstudio. Also, speakers in the doors and a new setup for the rear, maybe behind the panels in the backseat area like so many other cars have.


So, on the immediate shit.


First, this is the idea I am currently going with for the vent. Opinions?



Second, for Xmas I got an engine hoist and stand Should make rreplacing the motor possible later........when I assemble it.



Third, here are the steelies I got for her. 15's, which will make snow tires prices more manageable.



And last, her sad state. She is regulated to the snow till the weather dries up and I can park my Corolla outside.