Whoo Hooo! '97 Tercel

[kevlar]

YAY I have returned with a new (to me) '97 tercel to mod the hell out of!
I'm eagerly awaiting mods to see what I can eke out of this baby!

[Daox]

Congrats on the Tercel. They're great cars. It has the same engine as my Paseo (along with many other parts). With no mods and good driving (P&G) technique I was able to hit 59 mpg. After I started modding my best tank has been 70 mpg.

[kevlar]

I've got my car de-teened after a few weeks of cleaning, new brakes, and new rear wheel bearings. I test drove it to work today and also realized the struts are gone, sounds like ball joints too. But what bothers me is the front (diff?) is making a loud hollow noise. Since the kids were so kind as to loose the owners manual I have to wing it on many things.... such as;

where do I check the Diff fluid?

Is there anywhere to get info on inspecting/changing front wheel bearings?

The motor smokes like a hooker after a trick until it warms up! Valve job? Is it worth it?

[SVOboy]

Congrats on the new ride. One of my friends over here has a tercel and despite the fact that I am about 6 inches too tall to sit up in the back seat, it's a sweet ride.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by kevlar

where do I check the Diff fluid?

There is a pipe plug on the front of the transmission. Unscrew it and stick your finger in there. The oil level should be just below the hole. I highly doubt you have a leak though. I've never heard of one leaking.

Is there anywhere to get info on inspecting/changing front wheel bearings?

Its pretty easy, I had to replace one on my Paseo. Take off the wheel, rotor, unscrew the drive shaft nut and disconnect the rest of the stuff from the hub. Then just take it in to have some place press out the bearing and put a new one in with a new seal.

The motor smokes like a hooker after a trick until it warms up! Valve job? Is it worth it?

That would be the valve stem seals. They are a pain to replace without taking the head off.

[kevlar]

Originally Posted by Daox

That would be the valve stem seals. They are a pain to replace without taking the head off.

Sounds like I'm about to have a winter project...lol

First it's off to get the anti-eco project done; putting a lift kit and headers on the GMC.

[kevlar]

Change of plans for me. It's off to stop the oil burning instead! Going in for the valve seals!
Got the terc on stands and I have torn into the top cover.



I am now at the point of timing belts, tensioner and removing cams. very lost here. How does one remove the timing belt and Pull the cams? I have the gears clearly marked already, waiting for guidance on this....
(I'm making a log with pics on this for posting as a how to for doing 1.5 valves and guides)

[Daox]

If you want to get away with the minimum amount of work, just pop the cam timing pulley off and remove the caps on the cam journals.

[kevlar]

Thanks for the help. I'll try that. I wasn't sure if there was a tensioner that needed loosening.

[Daox]

It shouldn't be on that tight.