[cbrewster]

OK...I think I have figured out what the problem is. The 7mgte I had purchased to put in my 88' Supra originally was paired with a manual transmission. My 88' Supra has an automatic transmission...so long story short, I forgot to remove the pilot bearing from the crank shaft before I installed the AT. This explains why the AT was so hard to install the first time around and why it progressively got harder to turn.

I just hope I did not do any great damage to my rebuilt 7mgte! I took the AT out this weekend and after removing the badly damaged pilot bearing, I took crud measurements of the starter gear and torque converter. Everything seems OK not to mention the AT was much easier to install and the crank turns nice and smooth. I don't have the car completely back together yet, but I am hoping not to have too many more problems on my way to getting it running.

Anyhow...have this be a lesson to everyone! If you are moving from a manual transmission to an automatic transmission, be sure to remove the pilot bearing from the crank shaft!!!

Thanks for all the great suggestions and help! BTW, if anyone thinks of some additonal checks I should make on the engine or AT for damage, please let me know.