1986 4wd wagon, automatic - western WA

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percy
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Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:08 pm
My tercel:: 1986 4wd wagon, automatic

1986 4wd wagon, automatic - western WA

Post by percy »

hiya tercel4wd'ers,

bought this lil guy a little less than a year ago and have been a bit overwhelmed by mechanic's inspection. Posting for guidance, and/or interested parties.

runs and drives! but work is needed to make it a daily driver.

mechanic's inspection revealed:

"carb float level is too high, needs to be adjusted.
radiator is cracked in multiple spots, about to blow
sway bar bushings are cracked
brakes are squishy due to master cylinder
needs front brakes
rear brakes need to be adjusted
brake light is on due to low brake fluid
valve cover gasket is leaking
distributor o-ring is leaking
front crankshaft seal is leaking; needs timing belt
needs both drive belts
needs lower ball joints
front struts are blown
rear muffler is bad, needs to go to exhaust shop to have a new exhaust from cat converter back

needs tires all the way around

vehicle has a 3al engine, this is from a 83-87 corona or 84-88 carina. these are motors not sold in the u.s. unsure where to buy parts for this."

has awesome brown tercel 4wd seats for driver and passenger (newer, in good condition), the rear bench is original gray.

located in western Washington state.

thanks for stopping by!

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Petros
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Posts: 11930
Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
Location: Arlington WA USA

Re: 1986 4wd wagon, automatic - western WA

Post by Petros »

welcome to the forum Percy,

do not be so intimidated, most of these fixes are easy DIY projects, and not costly. these are normal repair issues you would find with any older car, fortunately on a Tercel these jobs are much easier than most modern cars, and parts are cheap. if you want to keep the tercel we can help you through the repairs, you will save a ton of money and learn something about maintaining your own car.

You will have no trouble finding parts, who ever told you that does not know anything about Toyotas. All of the engine parts are the same as the 3ac that came with it, the only difference is the external emissions systems and likely all of the original carb and related systems were swapped over from the original engine to the imported crate engine. all internal parts are the same.

Usually master cyl holds up well, squishy brakes are usually from leaky rear wheel cylinders (there is a simple brake pedal test to know the difference between bad wheel cyl or bad master cyl.). either are fairly easy and not too costly repairs to do yourself. most troublesome part is getting the brake system bled (you need an assistant).

Most of the rest can be deferred until later, new tires are important if the ones on it are too thin, and costly. most tire shops have a payment program. YOu will wear out tires as you drive, replace them now, or later. it will cost the same per mile to drive on old or new good tires.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
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