Engine swap

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haystacknat
Newbie
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 12:36 am
My tercel:: 1985 6spd SR5 wagon

Engine swap

Post by haystacknat »

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? :lol: 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"
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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

Post by eightyfive4WD »

"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.
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)
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NWMO
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Joined: Wed May 20, 2015 1:08 pm

Re: Engine swap

Post by NWMO »

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?
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dlb
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Posts: 7305
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: Engine swap

Post by dlb »

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.
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rer233
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Posts: 1013
Joined: Sat Jan 01, 2011 1:49 pm
My tercel:: Multiple

Re: Engine swap

Post by rer233 »

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)
Familyguy78
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

Post by Familyguy78 »

Sorry to butt in, but is that correct? Can a front wheel drive 4a-c motor be used in our 4wd tercels?
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dlb
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Posts: 7305
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:03 pm
My tercel:: '87 sr5, '83 dlx parts car
Location: bc, canada

Re: Engine swap

Post by dlb »

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?
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.
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