Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
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Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
A few things that might cause lower MPG are low tire pressure, mis tuned carb, timing is too far advanced or retarded, or a lead foot..
83 T4WD SR5 - In tercel heaven
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83 T4WD DLX - Daily Driver weber 32/36, Celica/Paseo front brakes, 205/75/14 Snow tires, Lifted, 2.5inch exhaust, "Rebuilt" 3ac.
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83 T4WD DLX - Daily Driver weber 32/36, Celica/Paseo front brakes, 205/75/14 Snow tires, Lifted, 2.5inch exhaust, "Rebuilt" 3ac.
Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
Well I'm bringing up my old thread from the dead. It's almost winter already and I am still holding onto my old Tercel. I have tried to force myself into selling it to the junk yard but I just cannot bring myself to do it. It is just to great of a car
I am thinking about buying a fresh long block for it with a warranty. What do you guys think about that idea? I came across this one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYOTA-8 ... 0258402519
It says it is for 87-89 though and mine is a 86. I basically want something that is going to bolt right in since I plan on swapping it out myself. Which brings me to my next question, Which Tercel engines are going to swap right into mine? I plan on keeping my same original transmission because it was in great shape.
Thanks for your help guys!

I am thinking about buying a fresh long block for it with a warranty. What do you guys think about that idea? I came across this one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TOYOTA-8 ... 0258402519
It says it is for 87-89 though and mine is a 86. I basically want something that is going to bolt right in since I plan on swapping it out myself. Which brings me to my next question, Which Tercel engines are going to swap right into mine? I plan on keeping my same original transmission because it was in great shape.
Thanks for your help guys!

Blue 1986 Toyota Tercel 4x4 currently: overheating 

- Neu
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Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
There is sooo much conversation on this. 4a's will bolt right in.
Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
My reman long block blew the head gasket in 4k miles... Lol.
Thats what happens when you put base advance at 12 degrees and have a working vacuum advance where your old car had a defective one.... lol.
That'd likely be the 3E engine. Won't work. 3A was 81-88 in America. 87-88 in Tercel 4wd exclusively. 79-88 in other parts of the world...
Thats what happens when you put base advance at 12 degrees and have a working vacuum advance where your old car had a defective one.... lol.
That'd likely be the 3E engine. Won't work. 3A was 81-88 in America. 87-88 in Tercel 4wd exclusively. 79-88 in other parts of the world...
RIP 10-07- 1984 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
- Petros
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- My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
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Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
The remans are not always a good way to go, too costly. The imported "crate" engines from Japan I have found are an excellent deal. They can get you an exact fit for the long block (it might even be a 4ac), you will likely have to change over your intake/exhaust manifold, flywheel, sensors, and the pan gasket. I have found them to be excellent value, and usually in great shape. these are the low mileage imported engines they get from Japan, they usually come with a warranty. We put one in our Mazda that had about 180k miles, on a 2000 mile trip through the desert in summer it did not burn any oil. I also put one in a Nissan Pathfinder that had 288k miles on the old one, also ran like a new engine. It is even cheaper than rebuilding it yourself. The exact engine for the older Tercel may be more difficult to find, but they usually will eventually find one that will bolt in for about $400 or so.
'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)
'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)
Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
First off, thank you everyone for always giving me quality replys. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for loving Tercel's but you guys always make me feel more sane lol. Anyways I might have lucked out and found a used engine in my area. If I can get my hands on this used engine my plan would be to swap it in myself and have a rebuilt in the next few months. If not I plan on buying a crate engine since that sounds like a pretty good idea also.Petros wrote:The remans are not always a good way to go, too costly. The imported "crate" engines from Japan I have found are an excellent deal. They can get you an exact fit for the long block (it might even be a 4ac), you will likely have to change over your intake/exhaust manifold, flywheel, sensors, and the pan gasket. I have found them to be excellent value, and usually in great shape. these are the low mileage imported engines they get from Japan, they usually come with a warranty. We put one in our Mazda that had about 180k miles, on a 2000 mile trip through the desert in summer it did not burn any oil. I also put one in a Nissan Pathfinder that had 288k miles on the old one, also ran like a new engine. It is even cheaper than rebuilding it yourself. The exact engine for the older Tercel may be more difficult to find, but they usually will eventually find one that will bolt in for about $400 or so.
So I have begun removing my blown engine out of my Tercel. This is my first time swaping an engine so I am trying to be careful and take my time. You guys would not believe the size of the hole in my engine block. It is damn near the size of a baseball haha. I will post pictures sometime!
Blue 1986 Toyota Tercel 4x4 currently: overheating 

Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
I've seen blocks damn near buzzsawed in half. '
Make sure its a 3AC or 4AC. Or at least an "A" family. Say 4AFE or 4AGE? Much more work but worth it in the end.
Make sure its a 3AC or 4AC. Or at least an "A" family. Say 4AFE or 4AGE? Much more work but worth it in the end.
RIP 10-07- 1984 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
- Neu
- Highest Ranking Member
- Posts: 1191
- Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:59 am
- My tercel:: 1985 SR5 No Mods
- Location: Hillsboro, Oregon, USA
- Contact:
Re: Just got my first 4x4 Tercel!
when my wrist pin finally gave out, I had two baseball sized holes in each side of my blog, and pieces of piston everywhere, and several holes in the oil pan.