I have an 85 Tercel SR5 wagon. Manual transmission, 4WD. Current engine spews blue smoke for ten to twenty minutes every time I drive. And now it FEELS like a seize up is coming. You know that feeling?
What engine do I need? Which one will give me the simplest swapout experience? Does someone sell something that won't make me tear my hair out trying to swap out? I would love if someone said "Yes, there is a brand new one made by XYZ you can order for $abc and it should take a long weekend"
Engine swap
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- Newbie
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- Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:36 am
- My tercel:: 1985 6spd SR5 wagon
- eightyfive4WD
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 85
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:59 pm
- My tercel:: 1985 Tercel 4WD 5 speed wagon
- Location: Arizona
Re: Engine swap
"A" series Toyota engines will be the easiest option (3A, 4A). The A series engines will bolt right up to the Tercel, anything else will be a custom fab job. Thankfully the A series engines were used in lots of cars, including Chevrolet Novas (re-badged Corollas), so sourcing a replacement shouldn't be too tough.
4A engine makes slightly more power than 3A, but this increased displacement comes at the cost of lower MPG.
4A engine makes slightly more power than 3A, but this increased displacement comes at the cost of lower MPG.
1985 Toyota Tercel DLX 4WD 5 spd wagon (manual swapped, daily driver)
2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4WD access cab long bed (road trip/adventure-mobile)
2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4WD access cab long bed (road trip/adventure-mobile)
Re: Engine swap
Good golly, over a decade between posts?,
Are you still in AK? Let us know, as that will make a difference. I believe there is one available in MI right now, otherwise salvage yards are your friend. Why not rebuild your current engine?
Are you still in AK? Let us know, as that will make a difference. I believe there is one available in MI right now, otherwise salvage yards are your friend. Why not rebuild your current engine?
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In remembrance of my friend ARCHINSTL:
T4WD augury?
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In remembrance of my friend ARCHINSTL:
T4WD augury?
"Oh, do not ask, 'What is it?' Let us go and make our visit."
T.S. Eliot - "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"
"Now and then we had a hope that, if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."
Mark Twain
- dlb
- Highest Ranking Member
- Posts: 7321
- Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
- My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
- Location: bc, canada
Re: Engine swap
I agree with NWMO, rebuilding what you have is easiest. Used engines can be in just as bad, if not worse, shape. That's a big gamble to do all that work of an engine swap for.
Re: Engine swap
One of my favorite sayings is "well, sir, you already HAVE a used one."
if it aint there, there's a good chance it won't break!
83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
87 fwd silver wagon a/t
87 4wd dx Cream (a/t- not anymore- now m/t)
83 SR5 Silver/Blue (Snowmobile/work beater)-totaled but drivable
85 SR5 Blue
88 SR5 White (the 'good' one)-not anymore-totaled
87 fwd silver wagon a/t
87 4wd dx Cream (a/t- not anymore- now m/t)
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- Advanced Member
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Sun Sep 16, 2018 5:24 pm
- My tercel:: 1985 Toyota Tercel 4wd Sr5, Fed emission but no cat converter. Manual transmission, with air conditioning.
- Location: Medford, Oregon
Re: Engine swap
Sorry to butt in, but is that correct? Can a front wheel drive 4a-c motor be used in our 4wd tercels?
- dlb
- Highest Ranking Member
- Posts: 7321
- Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
- My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
- Location: bc, canada
Re: Engine swap
Yup, it's a fairly common swap. IIRC you use the block, head, and valve cover of the 4a-c but everything else (oil pan, alternator, manifolds, fuel pump, power steering, distributor, etc) needs to be swapped over from the 3a. I did this with a friend over 10 years ago now so I don't remember it very well, but lots of fellas on the fb group have done it recently so they will have better info than me.Familyguy78 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 14, 2023 9:20 pm Sorry to butt in, but is that correct? Can a front wheel drive 4a-c motor be used in our 4wd tercels?