Time for a big update!
The 2R engine in my Corona is a little tired. The oil light comes on when it's hot at idle. I fancy some more power so I bought a tatty old 86,000 mile Celica for its 2 litre 21R engine and 5 speed gearbox.
I will need to convert the sump to the rear like the Corona. I will preserve the original engine and nothing on the car will be cut to fit the new one. A totally reversible conversion
The engine's out the Corona, oiled, sealed and in a crate at the back of my garage for safe keeping.
I stripped the Celica lump of everything except the head and front end. I fitted a flat steel panel to the block for marking where the sump must go.
The engine was offered in...
OK so far. Carbs offered-up. They will draw from an airbox to keep induction noise down
These engine support bars are bloody handy. Really helpful when fabricating engine and gearbox mounts
This conversion
must remain reversible. These are the only holes likely to be drilled in the car
Engine and gearbox mounts are finished
Sump needs quite some modification
as does the oil pickup
which was quite straightforward
Taking shape
Holding everything in place and tacking
Making filler pieces
Looking about the right shape
Welding everything for good
Refitting baffles to prevent oil surge
Sump finished and up to the present day; making and fitting EGR blanking plates etc
I'm waiting for the weather to get better before I strip and repaint the engine bay. Thanks for reading!
Starting to look much nicer now with various paints and some chrome
Weber carbs are 40mm. Just building the air box
More progress. Empty, grotty engine bay
Stripped of paint and filth. Very messy work!
Tidied up and ready for primer
Grey primer - 3 coats
Return to blue
Two more coats then refit the steering box and things. Then, engine in for good! Propshaft, radiator, brake servo, battery, air filter and exhaust all hurdles to overcome still though
Made some good progress today
This shot shows the sump modified to clear the crossmember. First trial in the car
Bolted in for good
Time for an update. I've been working hard on my car urgently trying to get it back on the road to enjoy the summer. It's been off the road almost a year
Anyway, one big job is the exhaust. I had a measure and ordered bends, straights and silencers from the helpful folk at Jetex. It's all stainless and really rather nice quality
I'm using a TIG welder with stainless rod
My garage in action
This is the standard Celica manifold tidied-up a bit. It has two outlets and is 1.75" x 2 going into 2.5" single all the way back through two silencers
The old gear stick entered the tunnel in a funny place. That's covered over and the gaiter is in place
The radiator is a new Celica unit cooled by a 14" two-speed Kenlowe heavy duty fan. Seems to be really nice quality
The picture above shows new brake pipes running to the new remote servo. It's a single-circuit brake system (disc front, drum rear) but needs a good shove of the pedal for hard stops. The servo should help this
Exhaust system taking shape, fabricating hangers
Starting to tidy and modify the wiring. The new engine uses the Celica's internally regulated alternator rather than the original alternator and external regulator
Exhaust system ready to fit
I added sampling bungs to the manifold to make setting-up the idle mixtures easier. The colour of the flame can be checked by removing the bungs with the engine running
Still lots more to do. The MOT is booked however for 23rd of July!
Exhaust system is finished. 2½" stainless throughout
1 week to MOT! Hope to get it running in a few days and drive to TEC Billing having made it last year
Cheers, Fergus