OK need help with RA40 droping a cylinder

[gwilmarlio]

Ok I have a friend that has just brought a RA40 payed $800 for it but it was running rough was told that it was the timming but when he took it to a mechanic he was told it was a droped cylinder No1 (so he is a bit pissed off) he is not sure what to do right now as money is tight he is thinking of just geting a recon and droping that in there
So I am asking what do you guys think he should do and where should he start for prices and IF any can help us out

Thanks
Gwilym

[thechuckster]

save up to by an 18RG or (if you can find a suitable cross member) a 3tge. - 18RC is not worth rebuilding, is just worth donating parts to an 18RG.

[gwilmarlio]

the thing is its mainy his work car so big mods or stuffarounds he is not realy interested
if I was him I would be doing it but yer. What would and 18RC go for and how much would he be looking at rebuilding the one in the car
better yet how hard would it be to fit the 18RG as a mechanic would be doing this not us so that would involve a bit more $$

Where would the best place be to get thease motors

Thanks guys

[Screamn_Sleeka]

For an 18R-G, u jsut gotta keep a look out, http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....tem=4631050226
Make a wanted ad here, and see wat happens

But for an 18R-C u can get them anywhere.
Things need to be changed to put the 18RG in, so if ur paying to get it done, jsut get an 18RC, prob cost $300 for a direct swap.

[thechuckster]

if you were to buy an 18R, just get one that's running - dont bother with a reco engine. $100-200 max.

but before spending any money, what does the mechanic mean by 'dropped cylinder"? e.g.
does not fire (spark plug?)
low compression (rings? and if so why 1 only?)
valves (not sure why only 1 cyl would be affected)
other?

does the engien really need replacing or is the mechanic not up to fixing the problem? in any case, the motors are pretty damn simply - you could re-ring it or remove the head without any special tools.

[barned01]

i'm with chuck
Even though it is a little bit of work, find out why cylinder 1 isn't firing (compression test for a quick and dirty diagnosis) get head gasket, and whatever other main gaskets might be required in removing a head off the 18rc while still in the car (possibly exhaust and intake mainfold gaskets but if you are lucky maybe not even them).
a valve could be found here easily if it is that (i had one last week i would have happily just given to you + postage), rings cost 40 bucks if its them (unfortunately i don't think you can get rings for a single piston), and a case of beer costs about 50-70.
you could do it one day on a weekend, someone here might even be willing to lend a hand for the day.

[brett_celicacoupe]

18R's come in the following;
-RA23 celica
-RA28 celica
-RA40celica
-RT104 corona
-RT132/3 corona
-RHxx hiace(not sure which model hiace exactly)
-RN27-40 hilux (not too sure on model again, some 4wd's AND 2wd's had them)

only really worth spending up to $200(at an absolute max)


if you were closer, id sell you a runner, cheap

[gwilmarlio]

thanks for the info so far guys I have let my mate know to come to this site and give yousa bit more info on what the mechanic told him

[Mr DOHC]

good thing about these motors is that u can remove the head and sump, undo the big end bolts and push the rods/pistons straight up and out, then u change the rings and throw it back together

but yeh, find out why it isnt running, could be a dead lead

[BradW]

but yeh, find out why it isnt running, could be a dead lead

Could even be something as simple as a set of spark plugs.