Car Care Nut Builds a Toyota Engine

[Shel_B]

Here's a fascinating (at least to me) look at how a new engine is built, piece by piece. Although this is a pretty basic Toyota engine, there are a lot of building and assembly tips that can be put to use in other situations. Plus, it's cool to see how Toyota designed and engineered this engine. Long video ... about 75 minutes

 

[Astro14]

I love that he torques everything to exact specification.

Surprised that he uses only oil on the cam bearings - no assembly lube? Nothing on the cam lobes? No oil on the new timing chain?

 

[bdcardinal]

I love that he torques everything to exact specification.

Surprised that he uses only oil on the cam bearings - no assembly lube? Nothing on the cam lobes? No oil on the new timing chain?

That's all the factory uses.

 

[Shel_B]

I love that he torques everything to exact specification.

Surprised that he uses only oil on the cam bearings - no assembly lube? Nothing on the cam lobes? No oil on the new timing chain?

That's all the factory uses.

He even mentioned that in one of his videos. He's quite fastidious and, by his own admission, OCD. When he does major work on an engine, it gets two oil changes before leaving his shop. Before starting a rebuilt engine, he cranks it without starting to get the oil circulating and to build pressure. He then starts and runs the engine for a while, drains the oil, and then adds fresh oil and changes the filter a second time.

 

[Barkleymut]

Super cheap insurance to do that 2nd oil change. As someone that does 5k oil changes and probably too frequent trans and coolant changes - but has never had a coolant, trans, or real engine problem, I can understand his reasoning.

 

[Elkins45]

$16k and he replaces a metal oil filter housing with plastic LOL.

That car must have a LOT of sentimental value.

 

[Shel_B]

$16k and he replaces a metal oil filter housing with plastic LOL.

That car must have a LOT of sentimental value.

I love how some people are judgemental, especially without knowing the full story or situation.

The original equipment "plastic" housing is a strong composite that has been used with excellent results for many years. The one on my Camry is still in perfect shape after 14 years. There was an aluminum OE housing available for a while, although AFAIK it wasn't used on the engine being replaced (2AR-FE) and I'm not sure if it's still available. The aluminum housing that was replaced was an aftermarket unit.

Some aftermarket aluminum housings have had sealing, cracking, and leaking problems, and issues with the filter fitting poorly ... something to do with the center core. One of the more common replacement units is made by Dorman, a company that has a spotty reputation. TCCN usually goes with proven OE parts.

There's also the idea that the car owner was putting a lot of money into the repair for sentimental value. It's quite possible that a decision was made to bring the car back to as close to the original as possible.

 

[Shel_B]

Super cheap insurance to do that 2nd oil change. As someone that does 5k oil changes and probably too frequent trans and coolant changes - but has never had a coolant, trans, or real engine problem, I can understand his reasoning.

He has changed the oil early on his new vehicles and follows 5,000-mile OCIs. He follows shorter-than-recommended intervals for xmission fluid, too.

 

[Elkins45]

I love how some people are judgemental, especially without knowing the full story or situation.

The original equipment "plastic" housing is a strong composite that has been used with excellent results for many years. The one on my Camry is still in perfect shape after 14 years. There was an aluminum OE housing available for a while, although AFAIK it wasn't used on the engine being replaced (2AR-FE) and I'm not sure if it's still available. The aluminum housing that was replaced was an aftermarket unit.

Some aftermarket aluminum housings have had sealing, cracking, and leaking problems, and issues with the filter fitting poorly ... something to do with the center core. One of the more common replacement units is made by Dorman, a company that has a spotty reputation. TCCN usually goes with proven OE parts.

There's also the idea that the car owner was putting a lot of money into the repair for sentimental value. It's quite possible that a decision was made to bring the car back to as close to the original as possible.

I’m quite comfortable being judgmental here. TCCN does post-rebuild flushes with Toyota branded oil. That’s such a waste of customer money it makes me cringe.

He didn’t mention the aftermarket metal one being broken. And if the owner is so sentimental he wants an OEM filter housing for the sake of authenticity then TCCN has found his perfect customer.

 

[Deontologist]

I’m quite comfortable being judgmental here. TCCN does post-rebuild flushes with Toyota branded oil. That’s such a waste of customer money it makes me cringe.

He didn’t mention the aftermarket metal one being broken. And if the owner is so sentimental he wants an OEM filter housing for the sake of authenticity then TCCN has found his perfect customer.

I feel like rebuilding an engine with brand new factory parts for a 4 cyl 2010 Camry was a waste of the customer's money to begin with

 

[drtyler]

I feel like rebuilding an engine with brand new factory parts for a 4 cyl 2010 Camry was a waste of the customer's money to begin with

It could be all for show.

 

[The Critic]

I feel like rebuilding an engine with brand new factory parts for a 4 cyl 2010 Camry was a waste of the customer's money to begin with

This.

 

[Shel_B]

I feel like rebuilding an engine with brand new factory parts for a 4 cyl 2010 Camry was a waste of the customer's money to begin with

This.

One might say the same for all the time and $$ you put into your sister's Corolla. Of course, I wouldn't, but someone else might

 

[The Critic]

One might say the same for all the time and $$ you put into your sister's Corolla. Of course, I wouldn't, but someone else might

If someone paid market price for that work, it would have been an absolute waste of money.

But for the cost of parts, I think the work can be justified.

 

[CharBaby]

Interesting video!
The OE parts that he reused such as the oil pan, the black cast iron bracket and the PVC cover etc., he should have at least blasted them clean and even spray paint(dusted) them.
"The Car Care Nut" lives in the Chicago area and that Camry is a New York car. No way I'd put that kind of money in a rust belt car...or any car for that matter. And too, the "TCCN" also put into his own restored Lexus LS sedan, $60K to restore it. YIKES!

 

[dnewton3]

The restorations he does are interesting, but can't be justified financially. However, to many folks, they are done out of love and not logic.
So be it. That's a decision left up to the individual.

Upside: that $60k he invested into his new/old LS430 is far cheaper than a new LS500; probably approaching 1/2 the cost. And the LS430 will probably give him more miles and smiles per dollar than the high-maintenance LS500.

Downside: good luck trying to get reimbursed from a traditional insurance company for that $60k investment should bad luck befall the LS430. If it's totaled in an accident, they certainly aren't going to pay him back for his unwise emotional investment. Further, should he decide to sell it a year from now, I doubt anyone would give him $60k for it. So totaled or resale value, he'll struggle to get anywhere near his full investment back.

NOTE: There are some companies which will do "agreed value" plans; Hagerty and one other (forgot the name) which will do a pre-agreed flat rate payout if the car is totaled. I used this type coverage back when I had a 1966 convertible Mustang; insured for $20,000. Your premium is based upon the fixed coverage amount. These companies generally do nostalgic collector cars (pre-war, muscle cars, etc); not sure if they'd take on an old Lexus as a "classic" auto. This could be the answer. But, the premiums they charge are commensurate with the coverage; it's not like you're going to pay a rate based on $10k coverage and get $60k coverage. You gotta pay to play!

 

[RAVL]

I’m quite comfortable being judgmental here. TCCN does post-rebuild flushes with Toyota branded oil. That’s such a waste of customer money it makes me cringe.

He didn’t mention the aftermarket metal one being broken. And if the owner is so sentimental he wants an OEM filter housing for the sake of authenticity then TCCN has found his perfect customer.

He was transparent about the cost and was fastidious about building the motor. The customer received what he or she bargained for. Now would I make that call? No but it is not my money nor yours. Too many people are quick to complain about cost but then complain when jobs are done shoddily - you cannot make them happy. I wish most mechanics were as careful as this guy - that has a cost. Customer decided it was worthwhile.

 

[Elkins45]

He was transparent about the cost and was fastidious about building the motor. The customer received what he or she bargained for. Now would I make that call? No but it is not my money nor yours. Too many people are quick to complain about cost but then complain when jobs are done shoddily - you cannot make them happy. I wish most mechanics were as careful as this guy - that has a cost. Customer decided it was worthwhile.

As I said, he has found his perfect customer: someone with plenty of money and driven by sentiment rather than logic.

 

[Strumpan_]

must have had been cheaper to just buy another camry than do all this

 

[TomYoung]

The restorations he does are interesting, but can't be justified financially. However, to many folks, they are done out of love and not logic.
So be it. That's a decision left up to the individual.

Upside: that $60k he invested into his new/old LS430 is far cheaper than a new LS500; probably approaching 1/2 the cost. And the LS430 will probably give him more miles and smiles per dollar than the high-maintenance LS500.

Downside: good luck trying to get reimbursed from a traditional insurance company for that $60k investment should bad luck befall the LS430. If it's totaled in an accident, they certainly aren't going to pay him back for his unwise emotional investment. Further, should he decide to sell it a year from now, I doubt anyone would give him $60k for it. So totaled or resale value, he'll struggle to get anywhere near his full investment back.

NOTE: There are some companies which will do "agreed value" plans; Hagerty and one other (forgot the name) which will do a pre-agreed flat rate payout if the car is totaled. I used this type coverage back when I had a 1966 convertible Mustang; insured for $20,000. Your premium is based upon the fixed coverage amount. These companies generally do nostalgic collector cars (pre-war, muscle cars, etc); not sure if they'd take on an old Lexus as a "classic" auto. This could be the answer. But, the premiums they charge are commensurate with the coverage; it's not like you're going to pay a rate based on $10k coverage and get $60k coverage. You gotta pay to play!

Grundy.