300 mile update

 The Camry has been doing great, still trying to find all the kinks before the cold weather and snow comes our way making repairs more of a chore than they already are. Decided to install the new Denso radiator that I had ordered aswell as the new coolant overflow tank which also had a leak. Was able to take advantage of some amazon savings and got an OE Denso Rad and the overflow for ~78 bucks, really love parts for these aren't an arm and a leg, like a certain older corolla of mine... ha. While I was under the hood I put the new PCV valve and check the spark plugs and thought I might aswell do a compression test to confirm my repair and re asses the health of the motor. I over looked it before, but I noticed the pistons are stamped 040, thus it has been bored out and didn't realize this. This became for evident as the compression numbers are cold are way higher than oe spec. I did clean number one piston up more than the others so number 4 could be higher for that reason, just more carbon deposits. Even so, this passes with flying colors.

 

 

 

 

Success!

 Did a few day hustle, got the head on and everything buttoned up while trying to clean up stuff as I put it back on. As I'm not in a testing state, I decided to hollow out the pre-cat that had failed. Was more work than I had thought and it made a pretty decent mess but managed to do a decent job. After double and triple checking that I didn't forget anything it was time to bring the thunder. Left the coil unplugged for the first 30 seconds to get oil pressure while it was getting fuel pressure, plugged it in and started right up and purred beautifully, super smooth! Will do a compression cycle soon when I check the plugs and set the timing with a light. Very stoaked, this is turning out to be a very solid car, ended up taking it around the block to the store and its not a bad driving car at all.

 

Bring the thunder...almost

Did a little push last couple days after work to get this buttoned and ready to fire it up. Nervous a bit to see how well I did and how it does, hopeful the rings are in great shape and compression is back in #2. I still need to do a few things like an EGR delete (it was so plugged, cant let myself put it back on), hollow the clogged pre-cat before putting the exhaust manifold back on. Its too bad header options don't really exist and celica ones aren't known to fit without modification. Will get the distributor back on, the torque mount, plugs, wires, coil, and put the alternator and belts back on and it should be ready for the thunder.