hey guys ive been following this forum for about half a year and finally decided to join...im starting a 4E-FTE conversion with my clubby and ive been looking around for half cuts and found one for $1500 at a jap imports place which is a prety good place..only thing is im not too sure if its in good condition so i got some pics to put up to see what you guys think. The guy started it up and it turned over first time and didnt blow smoke or anything and sounded good. i would love to get this as ive been looking all around for a reasonably priced half cut but i dont want to ruch into buying this one if its not good! andyways ill let the photos do the talking and any feedback would be much appreciated






























sorry about the bad quality i had to take them on my mates phone.

from the pics it looks ok, and if starts and runs nice then thats a bonus.

Looks like a 93-94 model with the analoge boost gauge in the dash, stock airfilter box is good sign its probably pretty stock motor.

They cut the radiator hose for shipping so no concern there. dosnt look like it has has to big a hit in the front to damage anything which is good.

Bit of rust on the gearstick and radio bracket, id say it was in the weather for a while, but looks like the bonnet is still there so motor should be fine.

Timing belt looks to be done at 100 000kms which is good, how many kms on the dash?

It is missing the stock blow of valve and intercooler plastic cover.

Good way to tell if its been looked after is to take the cam cover off if they will let you. If it looks nice and clean in there then chances are the oil has been changed regulary, if its all sludgy or rusted it could mean its been abused.

_________________
1974 Moke - 998cc
76 Clubman B16a2 Vtec AWD Turbo 12.9@105mph
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9PW49e1hYs

Cheers 13secmini

I looked at the filter itself and it looked in good condition too so that was good.

i also asked the guy there and he said he hasnt had many people ask him about it in a while which im guessing means its been there for a while hence the rust in uncovered places

umm there were approx 145,000 km on the dash and i was wondering what the sticker was on it so thats a plus.

i also had planned to sell the intercooler and go for the FMIC so i wasnt too fussed with the missing plastic.

next time i go in there ill see if they'll let me take off the cam cover cause like u said its a good way too tell.

The sticker means the belt HAS to be changed at 100k - whether it has been done or not is another issue - but since the donk will be coming out, it would probably be good practise to change the belt anyhow

Hooroo

_________________
Rob Forsyth
Miniot!!

oh true thanks. ive read i should change the belt when i get it anyway. i had some girl try translate the sticker and all she could get was the word "belt"

a literal translation is:

"timing belt change 100,000km respectively"

_________________
Successful Trades: Benjamin, minikook, Gordo, 2 S's and a clubman, mattsmadmini, shadow blue, 1018cc, -=MiniMafia=-, hueylui

NP - the subaru has the same sticker on it - elaborating the belt actually broke on mine between the GC and Toowoomba - stopped me dead to rights - even though the seller said he had changed it. Seller was billed for the damage to repair as it had a 3 month warranty...cost him $900 all up including the tow. Dont skimp on it - it will ruin the motor. Soobs are unique in that the LH belt drives the cams and the Dizzy/oil pump hence no damage. I would hate for you to get it all finished and then blow it all due to a $60 part.

Good luck on it - looks the part.

Hooroo

_________________
Rob Forsyth
Miniot!!

looks like im definately going to change the belt dont want any of that happening. but the good news is i get a warrenty too

4age's and 4agze's are non-interference engines which means the valves wont get bent by hitting the piston if your timing belt snaps. they are however G engines with valves on an angle to the overhead cams. i would assume 4eftes are the same (however i dont know for sure but i would assume toyota put this technology into all of its 4e's) but the valves run perpendicular on the F engines so i cant be sure. be safe and install a new belt yourself for peace of mind

<edit> you mentioned that the engine had been sitting there for a while, so haggle the price - bring cash and put the money in thier face and you could get a real bargain.
also because you have no idea how long the engine has been sitting there, while the engine is out i would take the head off and inlet manifold (inside of inlet mani will clean up easy with a bit of manual labour) and bring the head in to be pressure tested / valves decoked and reseated and shimmed / bathed / head skimmed for flatness, just an easy once over to have the head fresh for when your ready to drive it (shouldnt be much more than $350, money well spent) oh and new headgasket too.

thats a good idea . the guy also said theyre getting a load in tomorrow with another starlet half cut so i can give that a look over too and if its better ill snatch it up

get the head done up and new gasket and i should be flying

thanks DTrain!