danvan
New Reader
9/21/17 6:20 p.m.
Hi guys
I have been around here for quite a while but don't post much.
Just picked up a new project and need advice 1971 Toyota Corolla SR5 Levin it's a cool old hot rod from the 70's right down to the custom velour interior and steel wide body kit. Here's my delema. The P/O pulled and disasembeled the original 2TG dual overhead cam 1.6 L and over the years lost or misplaced some very hard to come by parts (top 1/2 cam brg shells ECT) the car has a 3TC mostly installed but not finished, I am looking for a engine builder who has some experience with these old Toyota's
no one in my part of the world has any experience or interest in learning about them
Thanks
Dan
Those 3TC's were very big in Puerto Rico. How is it any different than any other OHC motor? Just put it back together at whatever the specs are. Meanwhile, try to find a head for the 2TG. That's probably the only way to get the bits. Try the Old Celica Club, they may have Old Rolla knowledge or resources.
I attended the JCCS show in Long Beach six years ago and fell in love with the Levin Corollas. They are so cool. Sorry I can't help.
The guy from Japanese Nostalgic Cars (Ben Hsu?) website has a ton of knowledge- maybe he can pass along advice?
Or, sell off the 3tc bits (for large money), and instead, buy a 18rg for it. 18rg is Yamaha head 2.0L. It’s basically the small block Chevy of Toyota world. Big power when tuned like 152e engine.
Woody
MegaDork
9/22/17 7:28 a.m.
I'd like to see some pictures please.
Ya know, those cam bearing caps are really pretty simple things. I bet a machine shop could fab up some out of aluminum bar stock for not much money, then line bore the things into spec. Are there actual bearing shells used like a Lotus TC or is the aluminum cap/head the actual bearing surface like on a 4AG? Either way, it shouldn't cost much to get fabbed.
danvan
New Reader
9/22/17 2:39 p.m.
The bearing surface is the aluminum I have just been talking to automotive machine shops I did not think of going to a regular machine shop we have a pretty good shop with a CNC set up will try him thanks.
One of my JNC magazines had a sweet article about the Levin Corolla - it might be this car?
You need to find this issue - as with me you will kick yourself that you were dicking around with trucks back in 1978 and not finding some used Levin for sale.
Good god that thing is sweet!
danvan
New Reader
9/22/17 5:50 p.m.
That is the exact car mine will have lost some value because of the mods but it will be cooler when done. Factory weight on these cars is 1780 lbs should make a fun ride with 250 or so hp
I have engines pics from JCCS Levins I can post later this weekend.
I've mentioned it before. There was a kid in my high school class, about 1978 or so. Everyone else had Mustangs, Camaros, etc. He had a Corolla, lowered, fender flares, wide tires, air dam on the front and a blow through turbo. We all thought he was crazy.
danvan
New Reader
9/22/17 7:14 p.m.
That would be cool I have the original 1.6 L dual overhead cam engine with the original mikuni side drafts in pieces that i think is going to end up in the car
In reply to danvan :
You might try these guys:
Toyota Owners and Restorers Club
I bounced a lot of questions off of them in the forums when I was thinking about buying a family friends' 1968 Toyota Corona about 10 years ago.
They are good people.
Back in about '82 I had a girlfriend who drove a '71 Corolla. It was totally beat to crap, and at some point had been driven for an extended period with no gear oil in the differential. As a result, whenever you got it above about 50mph it made a noise just like a chainsaw. :) Other than that it drove pretty nice.
So you need help with assembly? How close to Torrance, California are you? There’s someone that can help
