Tercel4WD.com

The service manual has instructions on how to check the head and block for warpage. Basically using a feeler gauge and a straight-edge. If the flatness is within spec, then there's no need to machine the head. I did mine a couple of years ago and everything was flat. My coolant was leaking externall...

For all fluids, I use the specification that was recommended in the manual. The brand doesn't matter to me. I buy whatever is cheapest on sale at the time. Experimenting with different specifications based on internet rumors is asking for trouble in my opinion. I like to think that the Toyota engine...

Wow, my tercel (3-speed auto) doesn't even do 4000 rpm at highway speed. I don't think a vacuum leak could account for that kind of rpm.

The fan is on the other side of the radiator so it is not visible in any of those pictures. Which coolant line burst? Sometimes that just happens to old hoses. I'd just replace the hose, re-fill with coolant and drive it and see what the temperature gauge does. If there really is no fan though, that...

I've had this happen on my Tercel wagon and my Toyota van. As mentioned, one or two teeth on the gear of the window regulator get worn down and eventually cause the mechanism to slip. Both times I welded a small glob of metal on the tip of the worn tooth and filed it down into shape. So far they are...

If things open up again soon for local travel, I'd probably add these to my hoard.

When I replaced the head gasket on my '81 a year or so ago, I copper sprayed it. It's probably not manufacturer recommended, but the original head gasket failed not at the cylinder seals, but it allowed a small external coolant leak under the exhaust manifold. I was hoping the copper spray would pro...

Rockauto shows different part #s too for the 1st and 2nd gens. From the pictures, it looks like the difference is the orientation of the fuel pipe. 1st gen: 1981.jpg 2nd gen: 1984.jpg 1st gen: 1981 (2).jpg 2nd gen: 1984 (2).jpg I wonder if different spacers could account for the gap between the arm ...

Hmmm. I've used a fuel pump from an '83 (2nd gen) on an '81 (1st gen) and it worked fine. It's still installed today a year or two later.

The hatchback fenders fit too. I have '83 hatchback fenders on my '84 4wd wagon.

Does the distributor centrifugal advance work? With the vacuum hose(s) disconnected/plugged, rev the engine and make sure the timing advances.

I think I'll just do the metal patch with self-tapping screws and bondo covered with rubberized undercoating. Whether I weld in a patch or screw/bondo it in, its future re-rustability is about the same and I'm not worried about structural strength with just a small patch. I think the less undercoati...

And what are the gauges for?

How did welding the floor go? I'm coming up to that job myself (there's about a 4" hole rusted through the floor under the seat). I don't want to remove too much of the interior, but I'm paranoid about lighting the car on fire. The last time I welded sheet metal on a vehicle (my '85 toyota van ...

I've had a similar issue before where there were constantly tiny bubbles when trying to bleed the brakes after changing the wheel cylinders. I went through about 2 1/2 bottles of fluid, and there was still air. It turned out to be the tapered threads on one of the hoses was just worn enough to let a...