My Blue 2002 MR2 - Meeerrk's Track car build (LOCKED)

[Vietts]

not in my eyes.keep your money and buy something that hasnt been open.

[cabbydave]

Its a difficult one that is but as it has been said you don't know why the engine was taken apart previously nor how well it was cleaned

[Anonymous]

Its a difficult one that is but as it has been said you don't know why the engine was taken apart previously nor how well it was cleaned

That's my main concern about getting it rebuilt - I'd really like to know why it failed before spending a load of money on new parts for it!

[cabbydave]

The compression on a 2zz should be really high. Ask Patrick how high his was after he put new rings in his. If anyone says the bores have been honed walk away fast

[Anonymous]

That ebay not good to me as the guy bought a whole engine and box on the 8th of this month.

[jonty]

buy a crashed car IMO; you don't get to drive it, but you also know it's not had a poor refurb carried out just so you can do an around the block...

[JoeCool]

I agree re the eBay short block. It's had a bottom end failure, a rebuild, and then a top end failure. Who knows how much swarf and crap is hiding in there? Oiling is critical in the 2ZZ, I'd MUCH rather have an engine you cans tart and preferably drive to check health.

Thays why I bought a whole car. I've got some service history, and I've driven it, changed the oil, flushed it and changed the oil again. Oil is still absolutely clear after 300 miles, OCV valve filters are spotless, and the engine uses no oil and pulls hard. Plugs thwt came out of it were nice clean iridiums too, so I think it's been cared for in its past life.

I paid 900 for the car and by the time I've sold a few bits off the engine and gearbox won't owe me.much more than 500, and this bloke wants 400 for a bottom end that has been in a failed engine TWICE?  Imo you're buying someone else's problems.

Get an engine you can have faith in. Once they're parted from their car and on a pallet, who knows where they've been or how much abuse they've suffered?

I bet my engine fails first turn of the key in the MR2 now.....

[Anonymous]

I don't disagree with you, but the engine I bought was in a car that was driven and checked out first! Albeit not for as long as you have.

I agree your approach is probably the best way to do this conversion, 2nd only to doing all that, then rebuilding the engine to make "as new" before fitting in the Mr2

[Anonymous]

I'm getting past the pain, anguish, frustration and upset of everything that happened and thinking about best way forward.

I've come to terms with myself that regardless of how I go about this, the fact it happened in the first place, is going to cost me another £1000ish.

I've accepted the bottom end of my engine is pretty much scrap; the crank is no good, one con rod has blued, so needs replacing, and who knows what else has been done in there during that dodgy rebuild....So I'm not entertaining using that bottom end. At all.

The options I've got (realistically – I know there are others, but that would work for me)

1)   Buy an engine from a breaker – James (Sadlebag) kindly gave me the details of a guy who only breaks Gen 7 Celicas on CCUK.
Foolishly, or sensibly, I wouldn't trust another engine without looking inside it first. I know the chances of another failing that quickly is low, but once bitten, and all that. And to be fair to Patrick, I don't think he would want to fit another one to my car without knowing himself that I wont be back 2 hours later!
So if I was to do this, I would get it opened up and checked out for original Toyota shells on the bottom end and an unmolested crank. If its ok, partial rebuild (new shells) – if not, I've wasted my money.

2)   Buy a complete Corolla or Celica and break it. I don't have the space to do this at home, so Patrick would have to be paid to take the engine out etc, which would limit my ability to sell the parts, which is additional cost and time which I don't really have. Do I check the engine as in scenario 1?...I'd sleep better if I did, so not much better. Although as previously stated, at least the car could be driven a bit to gain some confidence before stripping it down. In the back of my mind though, the Celica my current engine was out of was driven, so that isn't a fool proof way.  

3)   Build a new engine from Toyota parts. Crank, or a complete bottom end is very expensive, but a used bottom end, with a known good crank could be used. Have the engine totally rebuilt from ground up. We know my head is good, so can have that refreshed. Refresh the used bottom end with new rings and shells, and will have a lot more confidence in the engine, shorter term AND longer term. It would need running in, so no track days for a long time. The cost is higher than option 1, probably the same as option 2, give or take.

After crunching all the numbers, speaking to Patrick about all the options and costs involved, I've decided to go route 3. This would only be possible because Viett has offered me his known good (unmolested) spare 2zz bottom end for a very reasonable price. I'll go to pick it up this weekend and drop it off ready for the rebuild.

I spoke to the guy who I bought the engine from (via Patrick) and we chatted about the whole situation. He offered to split the loss between us, paying me back around half the money I paid him. That was very decent of him and restored some faith in the whole "forum sales community". I wouldn't say he was happy about it, but that's understandable! At the end of the day we both took a risk in buying that engine, and we both lost, so splitting the loss is fair; I've probably paid a fair amount for the parts I'm keeping (gearbox, head, ECU etc).

So onwards and upwards, let the (re)rebuild begin....

[nathanMR2]

Good to hear you have managed to level yourself and come up with a plan of action. These things are set to test us. Onwards and upwards   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[mr-ed_smt]

Glad to hear you have a plan Mark - and most of all that you're not giving up! I'd agree that route 3 is the best option - you haven't cut any corners on the rest of the car, so it's only right that you take the same route with the engine. If you're planning to keep the car for a while, its the only sensible option.

Kudos to the chap that sold you the engine - he didn't have to do that, and most wouldn't.

[Anonymous]

Must say thanks to all who have contributed their thoughts and ideas, and encouragement! I wasn't far off giving up and breaking it for parts.

[MrStev3]

Glad you have found a route to take
This car was far to good to be lost to the parts bin.
I suppose good things come to those who wait and you certainly have had too.

Best of luck with the rebuild dude

[tomaky]

Jackpot buddy a veru positive work round  s:) s:)

[Anonymous]

Very good news to here. Glad its got a happy outcome.

[cabbydave]

Good plan and happy you got a little something back it isn't nice when your project goes bang.

[jonty]

Good job Mark, glad you are on the road to recovery!

As has been said you've put in too much effort and the car is too nice for this project to reach an early grave... I look forwards to seeing the progress.

[Topdownman]

Glad to hear this, respect to the seller too.

Lets hope that making the decision was the hardest part and you will be driving the car again soon!

[1979scotte]

I am pleased that you've gone for the rebuild. Perhaps not the cheapest but imho the safest option.
Also whoever has split the loss with you is a decent guy he could have told you to get knotted sold as seen and all that.
All in all the best you could hope for from the situation.

[Jrichards20]

Good option Mark, at least you know what is now going to be the condition of your engine. Keep us all updated! How many miles will you have to run the engine in for?

[phaeton]

Also whoever has split the loss with you is a decent guy he could have told you to get knotted sold as seen and all that.

Have to agree with this one, it just goes to prove that not everybody is out to make a fast buck & that there are still some nice people out there.

[Anonymous]

Also whoever has split the loss with you is a decent guy he could have told you to get knotted sold as seen and all that.

Have to agree with this one, it just goes to prove that not everybody is out to make a fast buck & that there are still some nice people out there.

Yes I totally agree, but i would also like to think that it is an advantage of buying through a forum like this, rather than from Joe Bloggs on eBay.

[Anonymous]

Good option Mark, at least you know what is now going to be the condition of your engine. Keep us all updated! How many miles will you have to run the engine in for?

I don't know exactly yet but from what I understand it's around 1000 in total;

- 500 miles very carefully driving.
- Oil change
-500 miles bringing revs up and can occasionally use lift
- Oil change

I've never done this before so it's all new to me.

I will of course take professional advise and follow it rigorously, after what's happened I ain't taking chances!

However, considering I only did about 1200miles between MOTs last year, that might take a while!

[tomaky]

borrow me it a couple of weeks ill get your miles up hehe.

[1979scotte]

I'll soon get those miles up for you mark.
Done 4k in the last 6 months.