5M-E head on 5M-GE block

[CrUZida]

Ok, I know it sounds stupid, but hear me out.

Got a mate with a 5M-E Cressida that I believe has let it run low on oil, and thus has got a nice knock.

Also I have access to a 5MGE that suffered a BHG.

Plan is to use the 5MGE block and 5ME head to save pissing around with looms/ecus (also not sure on 5MGE head straightness).

Now, is this possible?
Are the flycuts the same on the pistons?
I know I'll have to change over the timing sprocket at least (chain vs belt), as well as other things around the crank (pulley, covers etc).

Any major fundemental flaws in this?

Last thing I'd want to happen is to pull the 5M-E head off only to realise the two blocks are different coolant/oil jacket wise.

Ta

[joecoolmk2]

i would think that the ge pistons have a large domed piston?

wouldn't changing/adding a couple of wires be quicker than changing all of the front of the motor, all the accessories and sump?

i spose if the head's warped bad(it shouldn't be from a bhg)then you don't have a choice, but i'd check it with a straight edge first.

[CrUZida]

GE pistons will be domed @ 9.2:1 compression as opposed to 8.8:1 compression of the old -E block

Changing the front of the motor over will be a 10 minute exercise if the alloy plate behind the timing belt/chain is the same (the more I think about it, the more I think it probably isn't)

Warpedness of the GE head is the only real issue with using it. I'll definately get it tested to see how bad it is, and if it can be skimmed (cheap) or if it has to be straightened (expensive)

[joecoolmk2]

1 ran a 4M low on oil with a big hole in the rad( no water, touching red on temp. guage ) for about a month and that wasn't badly warped, it was bent a little but the cam still spun easily and that's the only real concern.

when you take the head off, check for straightness first, if okay or a bit iffy,take the valves out(you'd have to do this to plain the head anyway) and put just the cams in and bolt them down. if they spin easily the head should be fine.

[thechuckster]

the timing chain cover is different - you'd need to swap over most of the front of the engines.

i can see if can find a pic of the 5me head to show dish depth.

[CrUZida]

Thanks Chuck.
Guess I'll be taking the 5MGE head to be checked

[brett_celicacoupe]

just keep driving it!!

if its a toyota then its got another 6mnths left in it at least. in the meantime wait for a freebie 5me to pop up. less hassle then mix-matching and getting new parts


on the other hand , i may have a cheap 5mge you might like to buy ($1500 )

[Robbos_Toyotas]

didnt a 5mge run a cam belt as opposed to a chain? Do u know if the drive units are interchangeable???

[thechuckster]

yes, GE runs a belt

no, just about the whole of the hardware on the front of the block is differrent.

[brett_celicacoupe]

cranks are probly different as well....

the ME would have the sprocket and the GE would have a toothed belt. they are likely to be slide on however, whether the keyways/diameters are the same is a different story.

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

why not just replace the bhg on the 5mge and swap all the electronics over? surely thats easier than trying to make a 5m-e with a ge block?

[brett_celicacoupe]

i dont think its as simple as 'swapping over the electrics' the GE runs a different ECU and plugs etc.


i vote for my origional plan as to keep driving it and wait for a free 5me to turn up.

its a toyota after all

[CrUZida]

why not just replace the bhg on the 5mge and swap all the electronics over? surely thats easier than trying to make a 5m-e with a ge block?

It all depends on the warpedness of the 5mge head.

The palce JCMF got his head done wouldn't skim it if it was more warped than 7 thou.
They would want to straighten it first, then skim. Straighten means complete head strip and regrind.
Costs like that are to be avoided.

I'm not sure if its normal practise to not skim a head that is more warped than 7 thou, don't really have any experience there.

[ViPeR_NiPPleX]

brett - i mean swap the gear from the 5m-e onto the GE....

[CrUZida]

Nothing from a 5m-e head will fit a gen2 5mge head.

You'll need all gen1 5mge stuff to be compatible with the 5m-e ecu