Trying to Replace Transmission!

[marcandfiveonettes]

Hello.

I'm trying to replace the transmission in my tercel.
I was looking into ordering one from engine trend in CA but they told me there were two different transmissions for that year and model. ??
she told me I would have to remove the transmission and look at the speedometer to get a number that would determine which transmission to send me. I didn't understand what she meant. There is a speedometer on the transmission? makes sense I suppose...

sorry, I am very new to car repair, just trying to learn. I have someone that says they can help me put the new one in, but I'm kinda relying on my car for right now, so is there any way I can find out this information without pulling the transmission out??

By the way, It's a 1987 toyota tercel 5speed manual 4wd sr5 wagon


thanks...
marcus

[Petros]

welcome to the list!

She did not know what she was talking about. The only two trans are the '83-84, and the '85 and newer 4wd trans. The are acutlally interchangeable but have different ratios, if you put the wrong year in you will have to change the rear diff to match the final drive output ratio. Early had the 3.73:1 ring and pinion set, later (like yours) has the 4.11:1 (which is a better match to the engine in these cars).

Also the later ones had three electrical connectors (reverse light, 4wd light, and Extra Low light), early ones did not have an extra low indicator light. I do not know if there is a different part number but tell her you need the later trans with the 4.1:1 diff ratio w/three electrical connectors.

If there was a different trans number perhaps someone else on the list can tell us what that is.

Where are you located? How much do they want for the trans assembly?

[tercel4wdrules]

The transaxles engine trend sells are all 4.10. Last time I was there, if memory serves me right, all had the 3 connectors...

She was talking about the speedometer gear. Apparently there are a different amount of teeth between the 3.73 and 4.10 final drives. I can't remember which is which, but one has 20 and the other has 22. I better go get mine tomorrow before none are left...

[marcandfiveonettes]

Looks like it's going to cost me about $750 shipped to nashville.

tercel4wdrules... thats exactly what she was asking about, If anyone has insight into whether or not the 4.1 is 20 or 22 teeth on the speedometer, let me know.

thanks

[tercel4wdrules]

I'm fairly positive that all the remaining transaxles are 4.10 final drive models. All of the ones I looked at had the EL switch, which was only used on the 4.10 as far as I'm aware. So even if you did need a 3.73 final drive, they wouldn't be able to help you because they don't have any. I was hoping they would have an automatic trans, but they only had a 2wd auto one. I think it's 22 teethfor the 4.10.

The only thing you will have to do to it will be to switch the clutch fork to the other side because these trans came off of right-hand drive vehicles.

If I get a chance, I'll stop by and see what they have left tomorrow. I pass by there almost everyday.

[tercel4wdrules]

I found an old post and the 3.73 final drives have 20 teeth on the speedometer gear and the later 4.10 final drives have 22 teeth on the speedometer gear. They counted the teeth for me on the one that I bought from them and now I remember he counted 22 teeth.

You can count the teeth yourself, all you have to do is remove the speedometer cable. I believe there's one bolt holding the speedometer gear to the trans and you can pull it out and count the teeth on the gear.

[dlb]

You can count the teeth yourself, all you have to do is remove the speedometer cable. I believe there's one bolt holding the speedometer gear to the trans and you can pull it out and count the teeth on the gear.

this is awesome info. makes it easy for everyone to confirm what trans they have. good work, carlos!

[ARCHINSTL]

Carlos - work this up into a separate post and put it in the Repair Guides section and I will make it a sticky.
It's Important - Thanks!
Tom M.

[marcandfiveonettes]

You can count the teeth yourself, all you have to do is remove the speedometer cable. I believe there's one bolt holding the speedometer gear to the trans and you can pull it out and count the teeth on the gear.

thanks
can I do this without removing the transmission?
any advice on identifying this speedometer cable?

[Petros]

yes, just jack it up (put it on a jack stand), and take a look at where the cable meets the trans. It will become obvious what to do next, easy to reach.

[dlb]

marc, if you're unsure of where the speedo cable is just take a look at the factory service manual (FSM). the link to it is located at the top of every page on this forum. there are lots of detailed diagrams that help with such things.

[marcandfiveonettes]

Great! thanks for all the help. Transmission is on the way!

Now someone I work with thinks recommended going ahead and changing the clutch and flywheel while I the transmission out.

What do you all think of this? Is this necessary?

Also, any advice on where to get a good price on these parts?

[dlb]

butler toyota seems to be the popular place in the states to get good prices on tercel parts.

when was your clutch last done? if it's old, you should do it (and the rear main seal) while you have access to it because taking everything apart again to do it in a year or two would be a big hassle. if you replace the clutch then you need to look at the flywheel and determine if it needs to be machined: if it looks shiny and uniform, best to leave it; if it seems to have faint blotches on it and/or is not uniform, it should be machined so that it doesn't wear out your new clutch prematurely. i'll bet $5 here that petros is going to recommend you shave 4-5 lbs off of it while you're at it (because it's very heavy at 19 lbs)! if your clutch is relatively new and looks good though, i would leave it.

[marcandfiveonettes]

So the transmission has arrived.

... what next.


I guess I need to get the old one out.

any advice on what this process might look like?

when I get the newer one in, will I need to add fluid to it?

Maybe I was a fool to take on such a project... we'll see.

[Petros]

look for threads on changing the clutch, same procedure, read the FSM procedure. Unless you know your clutch is not that old you might consider getting a new clutch and a new rear engine seal to install at the same time, it is a big job and replacing the clutch and rear seal are easy once the clutch is out.

I find it easiest to remove the trans from under the car (with it up on jack stands). Some people say it is easier to remove the engine and trans together out the top, I have done it both ways and find that more work than just removing the trans from under the car.

It is a big job, but it can be done in a saturday if you have all the correct tools and nothing gets stuck or broken in the process. Putting it back in can be a big PIA, good to have several small jacks and blocks of wood to help you raise and align the trans input shaft into the clutch. An adjustable transmission jack is a big help if you can find one to rent or borrow.

Besides the jacks and jack stands you will need 10, 12, 14, 17, 24 mm sockets w/ racket, and open end wrenches, flat and Philips screw drivers, some large sharp nose or snap ring pliers (to remove the shift lever snap ring), channel locks, and a large pry bar to remove the front cv axles, and pry the bell housing apart from the back of the engine.

You refill the gear oil after the replacement trans is installed. Make sure you get all 4 quarts into it (there are threads with instructions on refilling the trans gear oil).

Good luck.