Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Webers, Cam selection and Ignition upgrades.

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clemsyn
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:49 am

Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by clemsyn »

I bought 1976 Levin in California (modded for Left hand drive) with a 3tc engine back in 1997 (I think).
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Levinside.jpg
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It was a great vehicle. Even drove it from CA to St. Louis, MO in 1999. I stopped using it in 2005 and never used it after that. Last I remember was it had pinging sound in the engine and coolant in spark plug, but it still ran and passed inspections. Well now my 14 yr old is interested in getting it to run so we decided to work on it. Didn't crank the engine but decided to replace head gasket and look inside. We pulled the intake and exhaust manifold, rocker arm and the head to replace the head gasket (drained oil and coolant). Bought some cheap gaskets on eBay just to see if it works and then use quality parts. Here are some pictures.
intake.jpg
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gasketebay.jpg
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Here is a link for more pictures.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tgvjk6o3ui6r ... jVnja?dl=0

I have a few questions and would like any advice you can give since Im a newbie.

1. Do I really have a 3tc engine? a picture link show an I3T engraved on the side.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d2cnii07um2vl ... 2.jpg?dl=0 (better picture)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q86tss8z0zhgb ... k.jpg?dl=0

2. Is this a 2tc head or 3tc head?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nbyrw7mxzvoxx ... g.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vgfhxcd9xs264 ... d.jpg?dl=0

3. Im reusing the original head bolts. Do I need to use a sealer on the threads or refill the holes with oil?
4. Do I need a sealer to use on the ebay head gasket?
5. Why did I get 2 exhaust gasket?



and more questions as I go along.
73te27
Posts: 174
Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 3:25 am
Location: central oahu

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by 73te27 »

No sealant on head bolts or gasket. Remove all oil from head bolt holes, I use Q-tips. Check your cam so you know what to adjust valve lash at. I like to run double exhaust gasket, less chance of exhaust leaks.
Your block is 13T. The head looks like 81/82 3TC but I have to see underside to be sure. You can run a 3T head on that block but wont have power. I used to have a 13T before, never again, my opinion is its a dud.
clemsyn
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:49 am

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by clemsyn »

73te27 wrote:No sealant on head bolts or gasket. Remove all oil from head bolt holes, I use Q-tips. Check your cam so you know what to adjust valve lash at. I like to run double exhaust gasket, less chance of exhaust leaks.
Your block is 13T. The head looks like 81/82 3TC but I have to see underside to be sure. You can run a 3T head on that block but wont have power. I used to have a 13T before, never again, my opinion is its a dud.
Thanks a lot for the info! I sucked all the oil in bolt hole out and wiped it with a rag and a pencil... sprayed wth carb cleaner and repeated.. I'll do the Q tips just before I put the cylinder bolts. re: checking cam.. do I need to put the oil pan down and check? If I do replace the block and head, what would be a good one? I'll post more pictures of the cylinder head soon.
clemsyn
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:49 am

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by clemsyn »

Finally put all the engine back together the way it was after replacing head gasket (no sealant, checked for any warp), spark plug seals, valve cover gasket, valve clearances done. Unfortunately, we forgot to take a picture of the underside of the cylinder head (sorry) due to all the excitement of putting it back.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ety13xhbhs8vo ... k.jpg?dl=0

Now I checked the fuel line... No fuel at all, not even in the Fuel Filter. I know that the Fuel pump is after the Fuel Filter (but I could be wrong) so I'm not sure if this is my fuel pump

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zlrk6ma0e0vfr ... r.jpg?dl=0

I think it is a regulator but it could be both Fuel Pump and regulator.

I then checked the patency of my fuel lines by using a 50ml syringe and instilling some air (by removing the Fuel filter and using the bottom connection and heard bubbles on my tank which means it's patent.

I opened up the gas cap and put the fuel filter back. Then I sucked (using the syringe) the fuel line to fill my Fuel Filter with gas. After that... I sucked up more to bring fuel to 2 fuel lines connected directly to the weber carburetors. I hope I didn't mess anything up :)

Connected my terminals to a jump starter, turned on key and listened to the radio a bit (LOL, didn't even realize a had a boom box in my trunk). Then it's time to fix the ignition timing....

All the marks we made disappeared somehow (I think from cleaning the head with brake cleaner) but I just placed it the way I remember and I know that when I get to TDC (it takes piston 1 to go up twice) the distributor will be pointing towards the engine. Now this is where it all get confusing.

I marked my spark plug 1 point in the dizzy

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zw4rglksbjug6 ... k.jpg?dl=0

I placed the engine at BTDC 10 degrees, but the lines are a bit confusing with the dizzy pointing to engine. After the 0 line in the engine, to the left is second line at 5 degrees (BTDC) and then Third and Fourth line under the 10 degrees. Not sure but I put it in the Third line (or does it need to be in between?).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sfjhhig77blqn ... k.jpg?dl=0

I removed my dizzy and line the oil pump at pointing to the engine (12 O'clock when looking at it) and put the dizzy also pointing to the engine.. slowly reinsert the dizzy and it moves a bit to the right. Then I closely align my dizzy mark with dizzy point.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oeud1rwg76a58 ... 0.jpg?dl=0

Then I put the engine at TDC

https://www.dropbox.com/s/m1kpaototykcm30/tdc0.jpg?dl=0

And here is my dizzy in relation to TDC.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nrnl1qauxnuia ... 0.jpg?dl=0

Is this about right? Any comments would be appreciated. On my way to get a starter fluid and get a new set of plugs before starting it.
clemsyn
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:49 am

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by clemsyn »

OK, today I tried starting it with starter fluid. I really have to keep the starter going until I heard a brief VROOM with a lot of smoke and then it died (looks like all I'm getting is starting fluid). I looked around and noticed that I have a STOCK fuel pump in the tank behind the rear seat.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yvd515evmbmps ... 4.jpg?dl=0


Is this the fuel pump?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yw4krbbsxv3ws ... 0.jpg?dl=0

Does it need to be primed since I haven't used this vehicle for years?

Should I drain my old gas and put a new one before trying again.

I really need help here since I'm a newbie. Any response and input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
clemsyn
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:49 am

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by clemsyn »

Update...

GOT IT TO START!!!!!

I emptied my fuel tank, tested the fuel pump and it is not even moving. Fuel in the tank had a tinge of yellow and really looked bad.

Put some new fuel in and bought Mr. Gasket fuel pump 12s (4-7 psi) and tried cranking it... no go.. then I took my carb cleaner and sprayed around the weber carburetor, inlet and everything I can spray without taking it apart. Adjust my regulator tighter (I heard Mr. Gasket actually puts out more than rated spec) and gave it a few cranks... then VROOOMM... lots of white smoke..but I can control the RPM with the accelerator :) kinda sounded funny though, but will most likely just need to adjust my dizzy on tooth forward or backwards :) it idled about a minute before it died. This made my day :lol: :D
clemsyn
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:49 am

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by clemsyn »

Update:

I finally got it to run on the streets :D Had to order new radiator (leaking). Left front brakes is sticking (brake piston issue) so I had to order new brake caliper and piston. Had to bleed the rear brakes (rear canister was out of brake fluid) due to air.
lepimpofpimps
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Jun 19, 2014 1:32 pm

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by lepimpofpimps »

Hey where on Cali are you? I'd like to meet a fellow 76 TE37owner if possible someday
clemsyn
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2016 12:49 am

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by clemsyn »

I live in St. Louis, MO now but wish I was in CA.
Arroz
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jul 29, 2013 7:10 pm

Re: Please help with my1976 Toyota Levin 3TC.

Post by Arroz »

I think I remember this car!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA1sSKkse6I
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