Repair or Swap?

82Dragon · 08-27-2006, 07:08 AM

I have an 82 L-type with an 8 year old 5M. I love her and I got her for real cheap... Really cheap, so I wanna do some work on her. The thing is, I'm not a mechanic. In time, I'd like to be the one under the hood, but for now I could use some suggestions on good shops to do the work.

The big issue right now is oil... I think. The bottom of the engine is fairly mucky and the inside of the engine compartment is pretty dirty. The guy who helped me with my starter keeps telling me if I don't get my seals and valves done, she's gonna lock up on me. I heard the would be about 5-6 hundred to fix if I do it before she gives out. How much would it be just go ahead and get a new 5m, or 7m dropped in? Any imput would be greatly appreciated.

Thanx

midwestmk2 · 08-27-2006, 08:57 PM

Its good to here you want to keep her running..Here is a sugestion though..Is she blowing smoke of any kind or color..If not all the valves and valve seals are fine..If there is no significant powerloss,knocks or chattering then the bottom end is fine..These motors have been known to get well over 200k miles on them with out a rebuild on them if taken care of..Now it probably wouldnt hurt to change out the cam seals and a few other gaskets on the external..You can get all the gaskets from www.advaceautoparts.com ...They all will only cost you about $140 for all of them and that is also a new head gasket and valve seals.. There is a online repair manual as well -> http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/librar...in/IN_001.html

These cars are actually very easy to work on once you get started..Any other ??? just ask and ill be glad to help..

82Dragon · 08-28-2006, 06:17 AM

Thanks so much for such a quick reply! I'll take a look at that site and get started. Winona... That's my car, she thanks you, too.

82Dragon · 08-28-2006, 09:25 AM

Oh, I forgot. Can I do this without stripping the whole engine, or having to pull it out? I'm sorry if this an obvious question... I'm new at this.

midwestmk2 · 08-28-2006, 08:32 PM

You can strip the motor down peice by peice as you go..Just take off the timing cover and set the motor at TDC and then remove the cam towers and replace the gaskets and front seals the reinstall everything..You shouldnt have to replace the head gasket or the rear cam seals.. If want to do the head gasket then you might need some help getting it off(Its like 80lbs)..Be sure to follow the TSRM exactly or you could crack the head and you will need a Allen wrench type bit for your ratchet..The head bolts are allen heads and have to be removed in a certian order and retorqued in the same order..All of the gaskets and seals can be replaced with out pulling the motor except the oil pan gasket..The harmonicbalancer needs a speacial tool for removal and reassembly but the front seals usually dont need replaced unless you do a complete botom end rebuild..At the most you will have to drop the tranny to get to the rear seals..

Take care of Winona and her big brown beaver..

08-27-2006, 07:08 AM	#1
82Dragon Intake Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oakland,Ca Posts: 31	Repair or Swap? I have an 82 L-type with an 8 year old 5M. I love her and I got her for real cheap... Really cheap, so I wanna do some work on her. The thing is, I'm not a mechanic. In time, I'd like to be the one under the hood, but for now I could use some suggestions on good shops to do the work. The big issue right now is oil... I think. The bottom of the engine is fairly mucky and the inside of the engine compartment is pretty dirty. The guy who helped me with my starter keeps telling me if I don't get my seals and valves done, she's gonna lock up on me. I heard the would be about 5-6 hundred to fix if I do it before she gives out. How much would it be just go ahead and get a new 5m, or 7m dropped in? Any imput would be greatly appreciated. Thanx

08-27-2006, 08:57 PM	#2
midwestmk2 3" Exhaust Join Date: May 2005 Location: STL ,MO. Posts: 206	Its good to here you want to keep her running..Here is a sugestion though..Is she blowing smoke of any kind or color..If not all the valves and valve seals are fine..If there is no significant powerloss,knocks or chattering then the bottom end is fine..These motors have been known to get well over 200k miles on them with out a rebuild on them if taken care of..Now it probably wouldnt hurt to change out the cam seals and a few other gaskets on the external..You can get all the gaskets from www.advaceautoparts.com ...They all will only cost you about $140 for all of them and that is also a new head gasket and valve seals.. There is a online repair manual as well -> http://www.cygnusx1.net/supra/librar...in/IN_001.html These cars are actually very easy to work on once you get started..Any other ??? just ask and ill be glad to help.. __________________ 83 p-type,5spd,4;10 gears,New 86 cressida 5MGE 195hp,HKS metal head gasket,Cressida injectors,d-port intake runners,No EGR,No cat,Tweaked MAF,Custom cold air intake,Custom rear strut bar,Perfection clutch,Custom 3inch exhaust,4inch bazooka muffler,,Only 2700lbs,, COME AND GET IT!IF YOU DARE!! Please no Honduuuuhhhs!!! http://www.cardomain.com/ride/858848/2

08-28-2006, 09:25 AM	#4
82Dragon Intake Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oakland,Ca Posts: 31	Oh, I forgot. Can I do this without stripping the whole engine, or having to pull it out? I'm sorry if this an obvious question... I'm new at this. __________________ I have no need to beat you, I just wanna be on my way.

08-28-2006, 08:32 PM	#5
midwestmk2 3" Exhaust Join Date: May 2005 Location: STL ,MO. Posts: 206	You can strip the motor down peice by peice as you go..Just take off the timing cover and set the motor at TDC and then remove the cam towers and replace the gaskets and front seals the reinstall everything..You shouldnt have to replace the head gasket or the rear cam seals.. If want to do the head gasket then you might need some help getting it off(Its like 80lbs)..Be sure to follow the TSRM exactly or you could crack the head and you will need a Allen wrench type bit for your ratchet..The head bolts are allen heads and have to be removed in a certian order and retorqued in the same order..All of the gaskets and seals can be replaced with out pulling the motor except the oil pan gasket..The harmonicbalancer needs a speacial tool for removal and reassembly but the front seals usually dont need replaced unless you do a complete botom end rebuild..At the most you will have to drop the tranny to get to the rear seals.. Take care of Winona and her big brown beaver.. Attached Images __________________ 83 p-type,5spd,4;10 gears,New 86 cressida 5MGE 195hp,HKS metal head gasket,Cressida injectors,d-port intake runners,No EGR,No cat,Tweaked MAF,Custom cold air intake,Custom rear strut bar,Perfection clutch,Custom 3inch exhaust,4inch bazooka muffler,,Only 2700lbs,, COME AND GET IT!IF YOU DARE!! Please no Honduuuuhhhs!!! http://www.cardomain.com/ride/858848/2

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08-28-2006, 06:17 AM	#3
82Dragon Intake Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oakland,Ca Posts: 31	Thanks so much for such a quick reply! I'll take a look at that site and get started. Winona... That's my car, she thanks you, too.