Powering up for testing

[irowiki]

The funny thing is, almost all the calls this guy got were asking "Can I convert it to 4WD?"

Trying to decide if I want to put a 3-AC in it now, or wait for a good 4-AC to come up.

[tercel4wdrules]

What I think he means is converting the FWD wagon from 2wd automatic, to 2wd 5 spd manual. More than one member here has done the 4wd auto to manual, so the process should be a bit easier switching auto to manual with the FWD model.

[Petros]

the 3ac will get slight better fuel economy over the 4ac, and that model is lighter than the 4wd version, so you may not miss the extra 10 hp or so.

[celtglen]

The funny thing is, almost all the calls this guy got were asking "Can I convert it to 4WD?"

Trying to decide if I want to put a 3-AC in it now, or wait for a good 4-AC to come up.

For what its worth to you, I have an '84 2WD Automatic with 312K miles on the ORIGINAL engine, Not saying that 2WDis = to 4WD but the car and I have lived in Canada and CO and never had problems with mountain driving in either place--even in the snow and ice.

I did finally have to replace the trany at 284K miles it just wore out.

I know most of you guys like to go off road and that would def. take the 4WD and a little more height for me anyway.

BTW the tranny I put in was junkyard tranny cost me 1grand for installation and on year warranty..so far so good.

[irowiki]

Peter: I figured the 4AC might even get a little better fuel economy, because it wouldn't have to work quite so hard...

Celtgen: that's worth a lot for me! We live in New Mexico but spend a lot of time in Colorado, driving through the San Juans (Red Mountain pass / Million Dollar Highway). I've driven most of my life in colorado in the snow with 2WD cars, so if the 4WD Wagon was broken I'd have no qualms taking the FWD wagon in the snow.

How often did you change the fluid on the transmission for 284k miles before it died? How's the engine doing?

There's an engine locally out of an 87 wagon, $350, six month warranty, 120k miles but says 110 compression in all, that concerns me, unless it is just the valves needing adjusting.

[Petros]

not worth doing the engine swap for an engine with only 110 psi compression, either plan on rebuilding it or wait for a better one.

between the 4ac and the 3ac I had in the same car, the 3ac got better fuel economy. if both engines were exactly the same except the 6 cubic inch displacement difference, than economy should be about the same (same power output at same cruising speed), but there are secondary issues since the engines are not quit identical, the head and cam shaft are different. I think I need to rebuild my carb or replace it, which might help the economy on the 4ac, since it is now having hard start issues and I can smell fuel sometimes. So we will have to see.

[celtglen]

Peter: I figured the 4AC might even get a little better fuel economy, because it wouldn't have to work quite so hard...

Celtgen: that's worth a lot for me! We live in New Mexico but spend a lot of time in Colorado, driving through the San Juans (Red Mountain pass / Million Dollar Highway). I've driven most of my life in colorado in the snow with 2WD cars, so if the 4WD Wagon was broken I'd have no qualms taking the FWD wagon in the snow..

I lived in Breckenridge and drove Vail Pass 2x a day through winters and spring..in Winter I opted for Norwegian Ice tires as opposed to studding my all weathers. The engine was at 280K +/- at that time with the old tranny.

How often did you change the fluid on the transmission for 284k miles before it died?
AS per the book--the official Toyo shop book like every 30K WITH filter.

How's the engine doing?
Not bad actually, Petros ran a compression check on her last summer and there is no noticeable depreciation--between 2 and 3 the typical -5 psi is all.

There's an engine locally out of an 87 wagon, $350, six month warranty, 120k miles but says 110 compression in all, that concerns me, unless it is just the valves needing adjusting.

Pop off the valve cover top and take a look at it..probably just the adjustment or valve seals-what say you Petros?

[celtglen]

not worth doing the engine swap for an engine with only 110 psi compression, either plan on rebuilding it or wait for a better one.

between the 4ac and the 3ac I had in the same car, the 3ac got better fuel economy. if both engines were exactly the same except the 6 cubic inch displacement difference, than economy should be about the same (same power output at same cruising speed), but there are secondary issues since the engines are not quit identical, the head and cam shaft are different. I think I need to rebuild my carb or replace it, which might help the economy on the 4ac, since it is now having hard start issues and I can smell fuel sometimes. So we will have to see.

Thought about the OX sensor? Just had to replace my BOSH (ugh) after a year smell went away starts way better now.

[swanterky]

I have changed 3 wagons from auto to FWD. You need a good flywheel/pressure plate/clutch/throw-out bearing ass'y, as well as the clutch pedal ass'y, and the cable and shifter ass'y (FWD shifter different than 4WD). Don't skimp on the quality of the parts you use as it's a bugger to have to take the whole thing apart again after not putting in, say, a good quality clutch plate or other component.

You can have a pressure plate turned at a machine shop to guarantee it's smoothness/flatness, but I have installed previously used components when I new their performance from the car they were previously in. That being said, make sure the clutch plate itself is new and of good quality.

Another thing to check is the rear seal on the crankshaft, and the pilot bearing, which chatters when it gets worn, and the sound disappears when you push in the clutch pedal. If the rear seal shows any sign of leakage, it is a no-brainer to be sure to change it. This also applies to the seals on the axle output ports on the front diff. The pilot bearing can be changed without pulling the whole transaxle, but the rear mounts have to be unbolted and the unit 'tipped back' to access the cover plate, so it is better to be sure. You could take the flywheel to a competent machinist. and ask whether they think it should be turned. Oil leaking from the diff is easy to detect--look for traces below the axle ports--the new seals are cheap--so if in doubt change them. You already have the axles out so it's much easier than waiting for them to go. By oem if you can--a lot of aftermarket parts are cheap crap so check brand names on the internet for reports of good or poor quality before you buy.

I'm 64, and not as strong as I used to be, so I now split the tranny from the diff when I install it, as it's much lighter than trying to raise the whole thing into place as a unit. It does mean, tho, that you need a new gasket, and it requires a good deal of care not to get dirt into the tranny when the units are split. Your 4WD diff is the same as FWD, so if it's good you only need the tranny.

That's all that I can think of right now--so be careful, and my best wishes for finding a good FWD tranny. I think you can go back as far as 1980, as I sold an '81 5-spd to a friend who put it in as replacement in his '85 HB to swap out the 4 spd that it had. I have some extra 5 spds here in southern b.c. so let me know where you are.

[marlinh]

Swanterky, whereabouts in southern BC do you live?

[irowiki]

There's no plans right now to convert the 87 to a M/T.

Haven't sourced an engine yet. Waiting on getting the Sedan back up and running.

Did the jumper cable thing yesterday, worked just fine!

[swanterky]

marlinh;

I live about 4 blocks north of Ferry, Washington border crossing in Midway B.C.

[dlb]

swanterky, do you mean your post just several posts up, or did you make another similar one? anyway, i think paul said he is going to keep the auto 2wd as it is.

any snow in your area yet, swanterky?

[swanterky]

Yep--but most of it is melted again!

Did you find the FWD that you were looking for? Yes--I meant the post--or what part of it?

[dlb]

yeah, i had a '91 2wd corolla wagon for a while and the mileage was fantastic. loved the gearing of the trans too, could cruise happily at 1500 rpm. but no one wanted to buy my 4wd corolla wagon at the price i wanted, and the 2wd was so ugly and grandma-ish, so i kept the 4wd. i don't drive too much anyway so i've been really happy i kept the 4wd.

it's been a crazy mild autumn here so far. i think we've only had 2 or 3 mornings with frost. laaaaaame