Diamond in the Rough - my 1985 Toyota Tercel build

Always liked that car, ahead of it’s time. Subaru pick up the ball.

 

Double, tripple check before closing it back up.

Keep the progress going

 

I serviced my R12 system last summer, but never entirely got it dialed in properly.
My generous neighbor helped me service the system mostly with his own R12 & manifold, but the manifold developed a rapid leak (ruptured O-ring), so we couldn't get the system serviced to full capacity at the time.
Unfortunately, this meant I also did not get an initial charge of R12 @ the specific mass recommended by Toyota. Efforts from here on, without evacuating the system, cannot be entirely precise.

I have tried using pressure & temperature tables with my manifold readings, but I have recently learned these are merely a guideline to see if your AC system is functioning properly, not something that can be followed exactly. There is not a direct correlation between system pressure and the amount of R12 contained therein.

All that being said, I recently inherited a manifold gauge set (two are pictured here, one is being returned, one is for me).
As they are both older and in an unknown condition, I determined I needed to pressure test them before hooking up to my Tercel's AC system.

I tried calling around the Phoenix valley to see if an HVAC shop could pressure test the manifolds for me but no one was interested. So, I acquired a self-sealing R134a can, to serve as my "pressure tank", and a can adapter so I could thread the "tank" to my 1/4" threaded hoses.

Once connected, I submerged the manifolds in water, and waited for bubbles. One of the manifolds leaked around the manifold valves, gauge bases, and hose gaskets/seals, so it will need repair before returning to service. However, as you can see here, the older looking manifold held pressure well!
Soapy water works to find leaks as well, but in my opinion it is far easier to detect small leaks by submerging in water.


Once I knew my manifolds were pressure-worthy, I hooked the system up and proceeded with some R12 servicing. Still a bit of dialing in to do - I can still see bubbles in my receiver/drier sight glass, and vent temps are still a little high ( around 50*F @ 90*F ambient). Will likely add more R12 soon.

I would like to end by stating, I am far from an HVAC expert, merely an interested DIY hobbyist.

 

Not what I wanted to find, but my AC stopped working unexpectedly last week, and I recently found the problem.

Looks like the replacement AC compressor gave out. Time for a system flush, new compressor, vacuum check &R12 charge once more, after just doing this job last August. Good thing I still have a couple cans of R12 left in the garage. Better make sure my evaporator, condenser and lines are all nice and cleaned out.

 

Ah thats a bummer but good for you to stick with R12, I miss those older systems. You can still get R12 on Ebay, not cheap but not horribly expensive either.

Make sure you change out the Drier as well if you have the system evacuated.

Where is the leak from? The nose of the compressor?

 

It isn't the easiest to come by, but I see it on Craigslist every now and then for about $30/can. Well worth it in my opinion, especially given how infrequently servicing is/should be required.

I considered replacing the drier, I do have a spare on hand that I was about to sell to a local - the one in this car is less than a year old so I think I'm fine to keep running it. Should have plenty of life.

Looks like the front-most o-ring gave way, along with perhaps another behind the pulley, from the pictures I got. I skipped out on the solvent flush procedure when I opened up my AC system last August and replaced everything, not going to make that mistake this time though. I will be doing the flush & recharge procedure this weekend, will report back with more photos.

 

I Agree with this all, carry on

 

Compressors swapped. Here’s hoping the new one lasts longer than ~8 months. I have a feeling the old compressor may have gave out earlier than expected because I left shipping oil in it. Let me explain:
When the new compressor arrived, it had a sticker informing me that it was filled with shipping oil, and to fill with the appropriate oil, which in this case I did. I cannot remember what the last compressor’s sticker said, but a small part of me feels like I may have missed that message and proceeded to install with the improper compressor oil loaded up.


At any rate, the new compressor is in. Vacuum check and evacuation went well, and I filled with 24 oz. of R12 per factory service manual spec. Since I have sight glass bubbles at the drier, I think the FSM underestimates the amount of Freon to be added. Will monitor and consider adding another can in the future. For now, back to functioning AC.

 

Nice job on the swap

 

Well after fixing my Tercel’s AC (again) back in June, I’ve mostly just been driving it. I splurged and got new tires on my Miata wheels finally though:

Happy with how they look. I’d like to do a bit of curb rash repair and a repaint but for now they look decent.

Working on an AW11 MR2 seat swap for front driver & passenger. Performing some surgery on the seat rails & brackets.


They are gonna look sweet in the wagon.

 

Those are badass. Nice Grab!

 

This past weekend I drove about 400 miles to pick up this 1983 Toyota Tercel carcass.
It doesn’t look like much but this has a complete manual / 4WD drivetrain, ready to be transplanted into my automatic Tercel.

This is the start of a very big but very exciting project!

 

Things are happening, boys and girls…

 

Very Nice! Thats going to be a sweet swap. Is the engine the same and you're swapping it because its better or?

 

So the main thing I'm taking from this parts car are the front & rear differential (3.73 gears vs my 3.9's) and the manual 5/6 speed transmission.
This will be used along with the JDM 3A-SCV engine currently in my Tercel. It's not crazy powerful, but it makes a few extra hp over the 3A engine with Federal emissions out of the 1983 parts car pictured above.

 

Very cool, that differential change should make a big change in the car.

 

The donor transmission/front diff is out.
Driveshaft & all the attaching parts are good to go.

I have so much to finish before I can even start putting this into the automatic Tercel, but it’s ready to get cleaned and prepped!

My engine will be getting an overhaul while the car is apart (head gasket, water pump etc, oil pump etc.) because it’s time for routine maintenance.
It’s also time to fix the leaky power steering rack.
Once I take care of those tasks, it will be time to make this transmission fit.

 

Lots of recent work. And I got to use my buddy's awesome new 2 post lift. Such a game changer compared to working on jackstands.


Prepping to cut out the transmission tunnel plate section to stitch into my automatic car. I used the hole saw to make 4 holes at the edges of my desired section, and then used a reciproating saw to make the smooth straight cuts.



When I am ready to stitch this section into my transplant car, I will probably use dry ice to harden & remove the seam sealer stuff that is towards the front section of the tunnel plate.

Lots left to do of course, but progress is occuring.

 

Looks like a lot of work but well worth it in the end. Nice lift too, thats the dream