1981 Corolla 4 door build

I was forced to work this past Saturday, so very little work got done. I sprayed my mount bracket with some paint in my down time and that was all of the free time.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150509_172815_zpsazaurapr.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150509_172829_zpsqrz0kk9v.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150509_172852_zps1jovnq1x.jpg.html][/URL] But yesterday morning, while my wife was sleeping until noon, I got some time to myself. I finished welding up my arms for the future anti-roll bar. I still need and additional piece of pipe and to make some mount brackets. Then I can measure for the links and totally finalize this part of my project. And then aside from a set of pushrods and a handful of small stuff like radiator hoses and a belt I am ready to swap out this motor for real. I can't wait! I am so excited![URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150510_111945_zpsinufoxvk.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150510_111953_zpscyekznsu.jpg.html][/URL]

Received my pushrods in the mail last night! Whoo! I am closing in on the day when I can start scaring little old ladies again at every stop light. I can't wait. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150518_184907_zpsvknip5je.jpg.html][/URL]

I took some much need vacation days last week and got one step further on this never ending project. Anti-roll bar installed--check. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150603_172848_zpseqmu0onh.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150603_172842_zpsmi5ugdaj.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150603_172829_zpslqb22xqc.jpg.html][/URL] I need some collars to prevent the bar from shifting side to side but is good for now.

I took a break on Saturday ,while at work, and finalized a pair of front travel limiters. They should have some adjustment when needed. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/TRAVEL%20LIMITERS_zpsx0zk08tm.png.html][/URL]

It's been a cool minute since I have posted, high temperatures and low motivation is the excuse that I'm going with. But I am back in action. I have since applied some drywall plaster to my dash form to rough in all of the holes. And then put down some masking tape to smooth it out even more. The next step will be shrinking plastic over that for a smooth finish and then fiberglass. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150802_185149_zps0bfl7nur.jpg.html][/URL] [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150802_185139_zpsvykgeyid.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150802_185133_zpspzs29q9e.jpg.html][/URL]

I also have been diligent in getting more parts for the motor. Aluminum block GM 6.0 liter. Check it out. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150731_132000_zpsfstnrbhv.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150731_131934_zpso2sxqzji.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150802_174333_zps9hxa87ng.jpg.html][/URL] The pistons have been fly cut to clear the camshaft. Had the block vatted and cam bearings installed. I had the crank polished and bought new rod and main bearings. I had planned to start putting it together tonight, or at least the crank but the camshaft did not want to go past the second journal. Well pooh. I took it back to the machine shop this afternoon with the camshaft, so I should get it back tomorrow. So hopefully I will have a complete short block together by this weekend.

It has been awhile since my last post and life has just been getting in the way of my project. But I had some time this weekend and got a little bit accomplished. Started out with some thick plastic from a home improvement store and slowly started heating it up to shrink it to the form. I ended burning through in several spots, so I will have to figure how to keep the fiberglass resin from getting in there. Going to spread on some wax as a release agent and then lay down some fiberglass. I don't really know what I am doing but we'll see how it turns out. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150830_192507_zpsb9uv9vjf.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150830_162911_zpsc5mx9bwf.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150830_162853_zpsigah0yzo.jpg.html][/URL]

Ended up getting up early on Saturday and separated the fiberglass from the mold. And as I was hoping I wouldn't do, I broke my mold. So I guess if this one doesn't work out I can just start over and have a different look.[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150912_111024_zps1kcylipn.jpg.html][/URL] On Sunday I had about an hour so I started trimming the edges and getting it closer to fitting a little better. I think it is turning out pretty good so far. lots of body work is still left. And I need to fill in the back sides, cause it got a little rippled when the plastic heated up during the hardening. ( I didn't take the heat into account when I was planning this. I will use foil next time if I have to do this again.)[URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150913_174909_zps8asrxe2u.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20150913_174942_zps0obl0tdj.jpg.html][/URL]

Ahhhh. with the holidays done and over with maybe I can get back to doing my thing. I received my valve springs from Texas-Speed and have since installed then in both heads. with my gaskets in place, I should have a fully assembled long block by the end of the week. Then all I have left is a starter, an alternator, and water pump. I should be beating up the streets within no time. [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20151229_154750_zpsu5ve9a6c.jpg.html][/URL]

It sounds weird for me to say that I brought my baby home this weekend , being that I don't have kids, but that is what happened. Got it on the engine stand and snuggled up next to the wall. With my starter and alternator repaired and converted, I only have small stuff left. Couple of fittings, radiator hose, and making sure the starter clears the header, and minor wiring. It gonna go down this weekend! And I can't wait!!! [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20160207_111906_zpshahoisx5.jpg.html][/URL]

I feel like I accomplished everything that I set out to do this weekend. Got the motor all buttoned up and set in the car in 1 chunk. I only have a few loose ends to tie up, couple of hoses, few bolts, and a little wiring. I am so excited! [URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20160214_180554_zpsslggtcrc.jpg.html][/URL][URL=http://s829.photobucket.com/user/YOTA81UNDERTHEKNIFE/media/20160214_180705_zpst8z6dgs8.jpg.html][/URL] And it doesn't look like it sets up too high. We'll see after a few test drives.

Whoooo! Awesome build, please try to get some videos of some of those test drives

Got up early yesturday and today. Drained the 2 1/12 year old gas out of the tank, added 5 gallons of fresh,checked the wiring behind my gages, topped off the coolant level, tightened up the motor mount bolts and torque converter bolts. I have to pump out the main fuel line and do one last double check on the electrical stuff that was moves over the last 2 years.(just my own paranoia) With a full day planned for monday, hopefully things will go good on Tuesday. If you feel an earthquake on Tuesday morning near lunch,....its gonna be my Corolla breathing new life. Watch out OKC, the streets won't be the same.

We like video. Don't forget to shoot some.

Will do. It may not come through very clear due to the camshaft. It may sound like a bunch of muffledness but I will make sure one is posted. (I'll just have to figure out how to do it.)

Upload to YouTube, copy enbed link and paste here.

Well I got everything in and buttoned up. Tried to start this car up on Sunday, and found a very massive fuel leak! Spraying on 3 header tubes while I was just flushing the old gas out of the main feed line. Hhhh. This line is only 3 years old. after looking at the rest of the hoses I found multiple places that large cranks. most of which looked only surface deep. I have been replacing the majority of them this week. I got all of the hoses replaced last night and tried to fill the carb bowls and found more leaks at the back of the carburetor. Found the bowl bolts to be loose and the sight plugs to be leaking. Tightened all of those up and then tried to start it up. It would only crank. Went over the schematic that came with the controller and all seems good. Zapped in another timing curve and a small window popped up that said " Cam Sn Fail". So.... I am running down why and or if the sensor is bad. Hhhhh. I guess if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Man awesome build! Ive been following this intently and want to do something similar in my 80' Corona. Hopefully you figure out the cam sensor issue and get that thing going

Well i had a friend come over and had him take a look at the controller program. And i had a couple of things off. It was looking for a MAP sensor signal. And found out my cable was having issues at the box. Then realized the cam code came back even with a new sensor. We determined the the cable was causing the cam code. And finaly....it started. Yes! Only diled for now. Need some return springs, brake light switch, and to put my tag on it. Hopefully a teet drive next week! Hopefully.

Got up early this morning, got a return spring bracket installed(need to drill a hole on the carb linkage), throttle cable hooked up on the gas pedal, and put on my tag. All that is left is istall a brake pedal support bracket, brake lights, adjust the panhard bar so the anti-roll bar links clear, and refine the tune in the controller. Hopefully i will get a chance to tackle this stuff after all of my chores are done.

man always weird issues with these kind of builds. What did you use for a swap kit when you had the old motor in it? Im planning a 302 swap into my 80' Corona and read that the swap kits for the toyota pickups will fit the corona, corolla and cressida. Any input would help thanks

Well. I did some home brew stuff. I cut the bushings off of 2 leaf spring shackles. Welded the bushing piece to a plate for the block side and flipped the bolt side of the shackle over and used it to bolt to the bushing/plate. Then welded rectangle tubing to the bolt side of the shackle and then straight to the frame rail (with an 1/8" plate). Sound kinda rickedy but it was pretty solid.

Here is the video link for my motor idling. This is with the dumps closed and exhaust going through all 3 mufflers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZQuMI5ez_Y

And here is my annoyingly loud fuel pump. but afterwards you can here the camshaft cackling through the mufflers with the dumps open. I think it sounds really good. Especially since they are homemade. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CO53PzzQaU

hey if it works it works! I read that the v8 swap kits for the toyota trucks will fit the corolla and corona so I might just go with that.