My 1997 SR5 build and repair thread

[19963.4lsr5]

I noticed I have a cam seal leak on the drivers side cam. At this time I’m not worried about it unless my oil usage is noticed. I’ll eventually fix it and recheck the valve shimming on that head also.

I’m currently trying to get my EVAP and CAT readiness monitors to set.

I’m also not liking the oil pressure light taking 2-3 seconds to go out after a cold start. I may swap out the oil pressure switch or put an oil pressure gauge on it.


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[19963.4lsr5]

Was trying to address my drivers side suspension creak and discovered the kid I bought the 4Runner from put greaseable ball joints on but never put zerks in to grease them.

I greased the tie rod ends, swaybar links, and lower ball joints. I’ll see what happens.


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[19963.4lsr5]

I figured out that my CAT readiness monitor wasn’t setting because of an exhaust leak at the rear CAT flange. I repaired it and 3 miles later my CAT readiness monitor set.

All that’s left is EVAP. I can’t figure out what’s up with it. It will pass emissions without it set. It just bugs me

I got 19mpg last tank with the pretty bad exhaust leak. I hope it improves as the engine breaks in and I fixed the exhaust leak. Usually fixing them are worth a few mpg from past experience due to reversion sucking air into the exhaust and messing with the preCat O2 sensor reading.


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[phattyduck]

You'll probably want to replace those lower ball joints with OEM... I wouldn't trust un-greased aftermarket ball joints as far as I could throw them.

-Charlie

 

[19963.4lsr5]

You'll probably want to replace those lower ball joints with OEM... I wouldn't trust un-greased aftermarket ball joints as far as I could throw them.



-Charlie

I put around 10k miles on this thing since I got it from him. It’s defiantly on my list. Should have looked earlier.


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[19963.4lsr5]

This shows promise. Trans oil pan temperature is 121f after 10 miles of errands on back country roads.

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[JBurt]

Congratulations. I bet that feels good.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Congratulations. I bet that feels good.

“F” yea!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m at 80+ miles on the tank and needle didn’t really move much. I’ll know by the end of the week because I put 62 miles on it a day.


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[19963.4lsr5]

I got 20.47mpg it may get better as the engine breaks in.


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[19963.4lsr5]

I averaged 20.2mpg over the last three tanks. Using the old Hess stations which is now called speedway. Next few tanks will be something else.

I replaced the voltage regulator in the 70a Alt and tonight I installed it as part of replacing the oil pressure switch to see what’s going on with this rebuilt engine.


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[19963.4lsr5]

Also this is the oil color at 1000 miles.

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[19963.4lsr5]

Looks like new voltage regulator was the ticket. First picture is idle no lights with engine up to temp. Second picture is headlights on at idle with engine up to temp. Before my voltage was anywhere from 12.8 to 14v. Totally at random and adding any load lowered the voltage.


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[19963.4lsr5]

I’ve averaged 20.2 to 20.5 most all my tanks that were drive to work tanks.

I done 2 things to try and improve it.

First thing I did was put a 1/8” restricter in the EVAP line at the air box to force the manifold vacuum to pull harder on the gas tank to try and get more fuel vapors since it burns better than raw gas atomized by the injector. That tank I seen my highest milage at 20.92. Sadly I didn’t wait a few tanks before my next change.

Second thing I did was air up the tires from 30psi to 35psi. That tank was 21.42mpg.

This tank has around 130 miles on it so far and it looks as good as the last tank. I went almost 80 miles to the 3/4 tank.

This is my oil color at 2700 miles.

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[19963.4lsr5]

I just filled up today. 271 miles and needle sitting perfectly on the 1/4 tank line. This tank was all work with local driving before work every day. My 32 mile commute to work is all rural two lane roads with 15 redlights.

21.69mpg with 4oz of acetone. I’ve been slacking on the acetone the last two or three tanks so I put some in again.


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[JBurt]

Well those are impressive fuel numbers!

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Just filled up again. I used a totally different gas station. Sunoco instead of TurkeyHill.

This second tank was 21.42 using the AC every day and around 50 miles of extra local driving. (Had to go to my brothers to pick up the motorcycle trailer to go drag racing tonight with my ZX9R) it will be interesting to see what milage I get towing my motorcycle over the north central mountains of Pennsylvania.


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[19963.4lsr5]

Towing the motorcycle plus local driving and work netted me 20.92mpg.

Next tank was 21.21 so it looks like I’m steady in the 21mpg zone.


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[19963.4lsr5]

This work tank with Sunoco gas was 21.89 mpg. I’m sticking with Sunoco for a few tanks to see if it’s consistent.

I really want 23mpg. Game on.


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[phattyduck]

I really want 23mpg. Game on.

Manual hubs and slow down. :loco:

My (originally) 2WD averaged ~24mpg the first 220k miles of its life...

Now with 4WD, larger tires, armor, etc. I get 20-21mpg on highway trips (17-18 daily driving).

-Charlie

 

[19963.4lsr5]

So, I finally am done with overtime for a missing electrician at work and pulled the valve cover off on the the passenger side to try and figure out my valve train noise that is not valve clearance.

The exhaust cam service bolt was not close to going in the hole. Go figure......

I clamped the fixed part of the gear in the vise and managed to crank on the movable side to get the service bolt into the gear. Holy Crap is there some tension on that gear.

I am confidant that that was/is my noise. I’ll update tomorrow when I torque the cam bearings.

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