I have my Starlet GT front cut coming in about a month and seeing as though the engine will be pulled out of the frame but not actually started for a long time (at least 1 year probably) I need advice on two fronts :

1) I was going to add a capful of oil in each cylinder to stop any corrosion but is there anything else I should do to the engine & fluids whilst it is being stored/not started.

2) What items (timing belt, oil pump, hoses etc) should I replace on the engine priot to Starting it to prevent any potential failures. I intend on running on stock internals and won't gettng the engine stripped rebuilt but will be mildy modified when finished.

-Alan

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

Hi Alan,

In my halfcut, I checked the oil and coolant, and for any obvious signs of damage or leakage. All seemed ok so I rigged up a borrowed fuel pump and test started it to ensure it ran. It started on the battery that came in it which was a good sign, hopefully it hadn't been sitting too long. Mine had the dash which indicated just under 100000kms, I take it that the timing belt hasn't been changed so will be changing that and had intended on just doing all the normal service stuff. However, as my conversion has taken longer that I would have liked, I will probably pull the sump off and take a look at the bearings and replace the clutch and water pump while it's all out of the car. Much easier to do it before it all goes back in.

With regards to storing it, I'd just make sure it turns over fine, and all the holes are well sealed up.

Hope this helps.

Madmorrie

I filled mine up with oil (including a bit in each cylinder) and left it until I was ready for it, then drained most of it when I was doing all of the putting in/pulling out.

Once I was about ready to put it in for the last time I changed the timing belt and bearings, checked the clutch plate and release bearing, lchecked and cleaned the oil pump and greased with assembly lube, new gearbox oil, new oil seals on cv outputs, general service and paint then job done.

Apparently old engine oil can damage the sacraficial white metal lining on the crankshaft bearings, which can be a major reason many 2nd hand import engines spin bearings just after they are started after lengthy time out of service.

I figure that its better to change everything when you have plenty of time now, rather than wishing you did later.

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-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

1. Bearings for the reason above
2. Timing Belt
3. Front and Rear Main Crank Seals
4. Replace Clutch & Release Bearing (You don't want to be pulling the motor out anytime soon)
5. Machine Flywheel

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

Late breaking news from Josh (http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=52842) - the clutch slave is a common thing to fail so would need replacing as a preventative measure. Easy to replace (even once the engine is installed)

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

Hi would you guys able to provide me the genuine parts number
and where to hunt them other then toyota???

1. Bearings
2. Timing Belt
3. Front and Rear Main Crank Seals
4. Clutch Slave

Better to have the water pump replace as well right?

My half cut been sitting there for around 3yrs already,
I'm going to get it done by this year hopefully.

Thanks

I went to to a Toyota dealer last week to get these parts numbers (to post info here) but the guy in the Parts dept said there are a few different part numbers for the 4EFTE engine and was advised to give him the chassis number to narrow down the exact part number. I can't see why Toyota can't search for an engine number in their system if you don't have a chassis number though.

James ('77 clubby van) has advised me that the 4E-FE timing belt kit is the same as the 4E-FTE kit but not sure on the other items yet. I priced the timing belt kit at Repco on Friday and was $275.

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

I got my bearing shells from David Lane at Nason Auto Parts in Perth.
Very helpful!
PM me if you want details. They might have an East Coast contact.

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-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

Note to self - If I ever need to pay $275 for what can be bought elsewhere for $80, go to Repco.

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But he's thriving and striving and hugging the turns.

I (usually) boycott Repco because of their stupid prices on pretty much everything (just happened to be at the store next door to one last week when I got the price).

Where did you get your belt (or kit?) from JC?

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

JC are you thinking about $80 for belt only or kit including pulleys, seals etc? From memory mine was around $250-300 also. I did see several belts (belt only) on ebay cheaper, but of unknown/dodgy looking quality.

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-James.

Toyota 4EFTE Powered Minivan.
102 Kw @ The Front Wheels....Oh What a Feeling!

also a good idea. you can buy specific "storage" oil to stop corrosion and such, i think it sticks better or some thing

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Castrol Magnatec??

Penrite make a storage oil supplement http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products/classic-car-oil/storage_oil_supplement

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

naa i think the added ingerdient is eye of wart

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FYI - Repco timing belt kit (pulleys, belt, seals etc) part number : VKMA91400S RRP$275

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-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.