Banjo

Well, another milestone passed in this little experiment today; with the whole system piped up. I removed the thermostat altogether, so there was no impedance to the water flow, & then filled the system up with water. I then let the pump run, at full speed, with radiator cap removed; so any air bubbles inside the block, could be removed from the system. Only took about 30 seconds for all the trapped air bubbles to be removed. Looking down into the radiator top tank, with the cap removed; indicated the water flow was substantially greater, than the flow with the original "mechanical" water pump. It seemed funny, watching the water flowing through the system, when the engine was not even running. This however, will now be possible, when the engine stops on a hot day, & as well as the electric radiator fan running on; so will the water pump. This should result in both electric fan, & electric water pump, shutting down sooner. So next job is to build a pulsed speed controller to control the pump, between 12% - 93% capacity. I believe if the PWM speed control signal is removed altogether, then the pump will run at 100% capacity. Then I'll fit several coolant temperature sensors around the coolant system. I'll then fire the engine up, & experiment with a few different pump & fan control strategies, until it becomes obvious, which provides with the best results. There will be three (3) phases, to address. Startup, & getting up to temperature as quickly as possible. Running under load; & cool-down, after engine has been shut down, after being driven. Should be a lot of fun, & I'll pass on here, to anyone interested; what those results are. Cheers Banjo

Nice work Geoff ! I can see your confidence building, & that You enjoy both "the journey", as well as enjoying the "end result". I look forward to your future efforts. Cheers Banjo

Found this guy on the web, who got two (2) engines, in the back of his hatchback ! Cheers Banjo

I'm sorry, but I just have to ask this question ! How the hell did you lift & place the 2 litre twin cam 20V in the rear of the waggon ? i'm presuming your answer will be . . . . "With Great Difficulty". Cheers Banjo

I started off this thread, by enquiriing whether they knew anyone on here, or elsewhere; who had done the mechanical to electrical water pump conversion. I've trolled the internet, & there are a couple. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX2A9rSLAPw&list=RDCMUCqvXGJXKeLCm6zg-JagDdzQ&index=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJNqEZQKwpI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWkCHaAAerM Admittedly, it's on a Mini engine, but the techniques & requirements are similar. Here is another commonly available electric water pump, off an early Toyota Prius. I like the fact, that it has three (3) rubber isolated mounting points, which renders it easily to mount; unlike the Bosch unit, I currently using. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ojNID2jDz4 Cheers Banjo

Got the pump lashed up on the test bed engine, & it is now going great, but was not without, a few learning curved balls encountered.. That's it; down in the lower LH corner of the pic. First thing I noticed, was how quiet the electric water pump was. In fact it was so quiet, it was hard to tell, it was running. The exercise today, was just to get it running On/Off, at full speed. Varibable speed; controlling the flow rate, will have to wait, until I build a suitable controller. Initially, I could not get the electric water pump, to run for more than a few seconds, before it automatically shut down. I figured it was sensing that the pump was "dry", & shutting down to protect it. It did seem however, a very short time, before it shut down. I have no idea, what sensor it uses, & was not going to pull the pump apart, to find out. Purging air from the coolant passages, may be a very definite requirement, when first filling the coolant system. I learnt a quick lesson, that the pump needs a "flooded inlet", at all times, & that the outlet, must be facing upwards, & be higher than the inlet; so no air gets trapped inside the pump body, at all. After I repositioned the pump, (as above) it ran without cutting out at all. I measured the DC amperes, & it was pulling 5.6 amperes. I haven't done a flow test on it as yet, as I haven't got it flowing through the block as yet. Currently, it is just lashed up, so that it pumps the coolant back to to the radiator header tank. The main requirement is, that the inlet of the pump, is at least level, or below, the bottom radiator outlet., as above. The pump is quite small, & will fit down in that area easily, on most vehicles. However, watching the coolant flow rate, through the top of the radiator, with cap removed; it certainly is flowing faster, than the normal mechanical pump, at about 2000 RPM. So next exercise is to feed it through the block & head, without, the thermostat in situ, & see what back pressure that places on the pump. & what the maximum flow rate, that can be achieved. I'll just collect what it can pump, in a minute; then multiple that by 60, to get the number of litres per hour. So now I've proved it works, next stage is to remove all the lash-up, & make it permanent, then repeat the exercise, with the coolant passing through the block & head. After that, it will be time to fit a number of coolant temperature sensors, all around the coolant system, so I can see the temperature gradient, between the top & bottom of the radiator core, & at various points inbetween. Cheers Banjo

The running out of fuel, when there is still fuel in the tank, is suggesting to me; that there is a crack or break in the pickup pipe, between the top of the fuel tank, & the bottom pick up point. Once the fuel gets down a bit, the break in the pipe, partway down, gets exposed, & sucks in air. I'm afraid, it's time for the tank to come out, for a complete inspection & clean. You cannot do any thing inside the tank, or even remove the pick up assembly; unless the tank is removed. While it is out, make sure you check the fuel sender unit. Cheers Banjo

For those of you interested, here are the specs, of the Bosch electric water pump, which I will receive on Monday. I'm sure it will do the job. I had a giggle regarding the spec. for max. lift, of up to 7 metres. My guess is that the vertical distance from the radiator outlet, to the top of the 5K head would be about 1 metre, so no issues there.

I looked up the Goss G305A, & it is suited for the K series engine. I thought you'd probably fitted an electric fuel pump; hence the query about it "rattling", which is how an electric pump sounds, with no fuel flowing through them. The standard K Series mechanical fuel pump, is not mounted on a bracket; but bolted to the front of the block, & must have the isolation spacer fitted, so the lever arm, sits at this right point on the camshaft load. The replacement fuel pumps are not usually supplied with this fibre spacer. Please confirm, you have the spacer fitted, or send us a close up pic of the fuel pump, attached to the engine block. Cheers Banjo

Hi Pete, With totally variable speed water pump, & complete control over the operation of the radiator fan, I can see how it should be possible to hold coolant temperature at a fixed temperature, or over a very narrow band; under all driving conditions. The electric water pump speed, will not be in anyway, controlled by the thermostat. In fact, I am hoping to remove the thermostat altogether, as both a restriction, & coolant temp controlling device. My preference would be to control & maintain, the coolant temperature, by electric water pump speed, & therefore, coolant flow rate; based on various inputs, into an intelligent controller. The electric water pump's on/off & variable speed operation, would be determined by a number of temperature sensors, located at different areas of the engine & block. I should be able to drill & tap sensors into the Welsh plugs, so I can see what coolant temp differentials are around the block. Ambient temperature would be an input, as well as whether the cabin heater was being utilised, as well as engine loading & operating characteristics, like TPS, RPM & MAP readings, many of which I can exported from the Speeduino ECU. The radiator electic fan, will also be on/off controlled by this intelligent controller. Coolant initial heating; & cool off, after engine stops; should also be a great improvement. My initial thoughts are, that during start-up; neither the radiator fan, nor the electric water pump, would run, for some fixed time (eg: say 2-5 mins); timing being based on ambient temperature. After that time, the water pump would run at low speed, so that there is some minimum flow of coolant, so all temp sensors, around the coolant track, can provide meaningful readings, that will be used for all control actions, thereafter. These are all unknowns at present, but that is the aim of the exercise; to find the best possible solution. I already have a bypass from the back of the head of my 5K engine, back to the lower side of the existing thermostat. There was always a short rubber hose bypass in the coolant system, between the existing thermostat housing, & the olde mechanical water pump inlet. I will retain this, but place a cock in it, so I can throttle it off, or even shut it closed, to see what effects it has. One of the aims & purpose of the exercise, to to reduce, or hopefully remove; the high temps of the coolant at the rear of the head & block, where flows are low, resulting in higher coolant temps. My tests have shown that the coolant temps around cylinders no: 4, can be 15 deg C higher, than those around cylinder no: 1. Many off us, who have lost rings or pistons, in our K Series engines, will atest, to it almost always; being cylinder 4 or 3. Early attemps to improve the coolant flow around cylinders 3 & 4, was the creation of head gaskets, where the coolant flow holes, between block & head, were sealed off, around cylinders 1 & 2; in an effort to force flow to the back of the block; & hence up into the head around cylinders 3 & 4. This worked to some extent, but also restricted total flow somewhat. I'm hoping to be able to open up all the coolant passages in the head gasket, between block & head. So, I going into this with an open mind, & not having all the answers; but sure that with what I come up with, will be substantially better, than what I have got at present. Soooo, Fun days coming up ! Cheers Banjo Cheers Banjo

Hi Sebastian, Yes, it's fun, cheap, & they were a damn good engine design in the first place; confirmed by their longevity. Once you've got your car body rust all sorted; You too, will have fun, I'm sure, with the mechanical side of things. Cheers Banjo

Well, a little bit further advanced on this experiment. The original water pump backing plate, cut down; is now mounted on the 5K EFI project. Without the water pump & it's fan belt driven pulley, I have fitted a shorter belt between the crankshaft pulley & the new 120A alternator. The belt adjustment tension bar, is now pivoted off a post on the upper RH corner of the backing plate; as previously, it was in the same position, but on the front of the pump body, that no longer exists. There is not a lot of room, betwwen the back of the alternator & the timing chain cover, so the white plastic pipe, was used to work out where an entry point was needed on the backing plate to feed the water into the block's water jacket. The original hole in the backing plate was filled in, & welded with a filler piece. A new hole was cut above to be the entry point for coolant to the block water jacket. The bottom raditor outlet, will be connected to an electric water pump, whose outlet will be connected to the bottom of this depicted 25mm dia. copper pipe. So here is what it looks like at the moment. The vertical copper pipe has been left intentionally long; so that when the electric water pump arrives from Sydney (thank you ebay), I can mount it down near the bottom radiator outlet, & then cut the depicted vertical copper pipe to a length, to suit the final position, of the new electric water pump. The pump I have ordered is a Bosch model, which they claim can move about 2400 litres/Hr. It is a 12 V DC 90W model, which means it will draw around 7.5 amperes, at full speed. It has an "S" terminal on it, where a frequency controlled pulse voltage can be fed in, with a frequency betweem 9Hz - 110Hz; controlling the pump from zero to full speed. I am hopefull, that once I have it working, that we can not only optimally control the coolant temperature, but make it more uniform across the block & head. Standard K Series motors, are known to run hotter on the rear cylinders; particularly no: 4. Cheers Banjo

OK, 1. What is the model of the OEM Bosch fuel pump ? 2. Where is this Bosch fuel pump mounted ? Up near the motor, or in the boot or rear of the car, near the fuel tank ? 3. Is the fuel pump making a rattling noise, as they usually do, when they are empty or dry ? 4. Are you using the original fuel lines in the KE-70, or has the previous owner modified that aspect also ? 5. Have you tried a small 5 litre can of fuel, on a stepladder, next to the car, higher than the engine; with a plastic tube gravity feeding fuel to your Weber carby ? Once you know that the engine runs OK, with an alternative fuel supply, in a can; then it is time to work backwards from the carby, testing fuel lines for leaks etc. However, if the KE70 has been standing idle for a long while, it maybe more fruitful, if you start at the fuel tank & pickuo, if your suspicions are right about the rubbish in the tank. Let us know what you find. Cheers Banjo

Really good that You have a grand father, with lots of Toyota experience. Olde engines can have lots of issues, that are hidden, that may not completely prevent them from running; but create conditions, in which they don't run well, at all. Common is one cylinder, that is "not pulling it's weight", due to burnt or pitted valve seats. Rocker arms, with grooves in them where they contact the valve ends. Cracked or soft valve spring/s. One cylinder with poor compression. The list goes on. If it was me, I'd be running the engine up to temp, then whipping all the spark plugs out, taking note of which spark plug was installed in each cylinder; & doing a compression check. Even checking the colour of the insulator inside the spark plug, can indicate a cylinder not combusting well. Next would be checking all the valve clearances, although as you have the rocker cover off; it would also be a good idea to remove the rocker gear, & check the sliding face of the rocker arm, where it comes in contact with the valve end. The carby could well need a complete clean & overhaul, but unless you can achieve reliable fuel supplyto it; it cannot be tuned. I still believe you may well have a minute leak in the fuel line, that is compromising the pressure at the carby. Disconnect the fuel line at each end. Blow pressured air though it in both directions, & see in any rubbish or rust comes out. Block one end, & feed air pressure at the other end. Check the line & any rubber joiners for leaks, via hearing, but to be sure, spray the outside of the line with water, & look for little bubbles, created by escaping air. I gather you have fitted a new pump, so we can eliminate that. It's attention to all these small details, that will turn up, what your engine's problem, really is. Don't lose sight of the fact, that it might not be just one fault, that is contributing to your woes. In olde cars, it can often be a couple of issues. eg: Have you removed the air filter, & guaged whether the engine runs better with or without the filter ? It will be something quite small; but you can only find it, by methodically working through each of the above. Let us know how you go. Cheers Banjo

Even if your car is parked on a hill, when you turn off the engine, there will be fuel in the carburetor bowl, which will be enough; to at least start it, next day. If you have fitted a new fuel pump, then the problem. is either in the fuel line, or in the pickup or pipework in the fuel tank itself. My first suggest would be to remove the inlet line to the fuel pump, & blow back down the line, to the tank. Get a mate to listen at the fuel filler hole, with the cap off, & he/she should hear the air bubbles in the tank. If good, that means it is not entirely blocked. It could still have a leak somewhere, where the mechanical fuel pump cannot pull fuel through, even though the pump is new. It's easier for the pump to suck air than fuel. Next step, is to get under the car & inspect the fuel line in detail. Look for damp patches. Check any rubber joiners, which are often old, hard dry, & cracked. Replace ! If still no joy, then it will be time to remove the fuel tank, from the boot, & take out the pick-up stork, complete with the fuel guage sender. I'm presuming you have taken the top of the carby, & checked that the needle & seat, plus float, are all working OK. If the car has been sitting for a long time, & the fuel has been sitting or evaporated, it can often leave a whitish looking residue on any part in contact with the fuel, which has since evaporated. Let us know how you go. Cheers Banjo

I'm just in the intial phases of fitting an electrically powered water pump, to my 5K Engine, that is sitting on a test bed, in my garage atm, with my trigger wheel project thereon. I was wondering, if anyone on this forum, has ever done this before; or knows of anyone on here, or, elsewhere on the internet; that has accomplished this mod previously. I'm currently just figuring out how to create an inlet coolant spout, for the front of the motor. Well, that bit didn't work ! I was hoping to keep it all Corolla, but the top hose spout, points in the wrong direction. Cheers Banjo

Looking forward to that Tomas, & being of any assistance, if needed. Cheers Banjo P.S. When you get started keep a camera close by, if you run into issues. I picture of what you are trying to do or achieve, usual is much better than a thousand words.

It was obvious from your pic, that your KE55 had been resprayed. It couldn't possibly have been that shiny, after all those years. You've reminded me, that I have on my long list of things "to do"; that I must write a chronological list of all the cars I've owned or driven, for extended periods of time, including work supplied vehicles. In my teens, I was very much into older English cars, as that was what my Dad & Brothers had. Morris 6, Hillmans, & Morris Minors, & even a 100E & a 105E Ford Anglia. It was not until I did two stints, working in PNG, over 10 years, that I became aware, how incredibly strong & reliable, Toyota vehicles were. I lived in the highlands where everyday roads, were so bad; 4 X 4 enthusiasts down south, would drive hours to get to conditions like that. It was everyday for us. Being just below the equator, rainfall was high, & often roads became unpassable with slips & the likes. I used to carry a slab of beer in all my vehicles. If I got really stuck, I would tell the locals, the slab of beer was theirs, if they picked up the car, & got me to the other size. It worked every time, except once. I had an early Subaru. They carried me across a swollen river, but put the car down about 10 metres out from the bank, where I could drive out. The water was about 1/3 way up the doors. Unfortunately, the pressure of the water, under the car, popped the boot seal around the gear stick, & the car filled with water, up to my seat. Cheers Banjo

Hi Col, Well I'll be ! Truely an older sister. Same colour. Same wheels; & by the looks of it, your's had a louver on the rear window, like mine ? So what happened to yours ? Did She suffer the same fate with cancer, as mine ? Cheers Banjo

Yep ! Big long bumper bars, that wrapped right around; front & back, just like this one. Mine had the big rubber strips on all the corners. I just found an olde picture of Her, before the hidden rust set in. Was a wonderful car, with a 5K & 5 speed manual GB. R.I.P. Cheers Banjo

The Accuspark module, basically replaces the points in a compatible distributor body, with a non contact Hall Effect device. It also has an ignitor built in, but does not have the amperes switching ability; to drive a impedance/high amps/Hi Performance "sports", ignition coil, without the risk of the inbuilt Accuspark module failing. However, they are extrememly reliable, & I've still got one in use on my daily drive; & like Graeme above, it's been in service for years. However, It has no effect on the timing advance of the spark; & still relies on the little bob weighs & fiddly springs, in the base of the dissy body, under the contact points plate. Unfortunately, when these dizzies get old, all those little fine spings & bob weighs do not work well, if at all; as rarely does that plate get removed & all the moving bits get lubricated with sewing machine oil. The Electronic dizzies on ebay, do have the advantage of having new bob weighs & springs, but the advance curve, may not suit your engine, as I am led to believe, they used an advance curve more suited to the 5K engine. That's why many of them, are labelled 5K electronic dizzy, on ebay. In my 4K-U engine, I used a 3K dizzy, which is the small narrow one. That is the body the Accuspark unit was designed for. I didn't use the bob weights & springs, but "locked" the shaft up, & added an external programable inition system, where you could map the advance curve. Just looking at your olde dizzy; I doubt the Accuspark module would suit or fit it. By all means grab an ebay one, & it will work, but understand, that the advance curve might not be ideal. Have a read of previous discussions, here on Rollaclub; about the Accuspark alternative, back about 6 years ago. https://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/73743-electronic-distributor/#comment-712673 Here is a guy replacing a dizzy on a 4 banger. Happens to be a Mini, but the techniques are simmilar to your K Series engine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU8psFVA58E The link in our previous thread back a few years, for purchasing Accuspark products doesn't work. The current address & contacts, is as follows . . . They also appear to have an on-line ebay store. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/153397333807?epid=1942333648&hash=item23b7318f2f:g:Nh4AAOSwd-pjHdNG&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwHHVC6r1Ht9xqCGuXDq8Sns%2Bxw4k8hFKghOYZwL2bVg5nSt7s7f8a0iC1KRbNBuWwv5kbA4lqj%2F8ZYjyTRdc2dmHlrFdXZ5W6XVG1DxZ2Weax%2BYOWwNrMF27KsTNTIY5BZV%2Bc59yMOxUSKa%2BJTAQRC7zAFmG80URsgXFblC0Juw2yrDqAKE3jJM2Rimx3ZzpJ5izYchQ3f5cUAw7Hw%2BdReQiVcJoFMOoGDeHSSMA%2BjF7kYwCQLZLwSQXiGEc7kkA5Q%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR6qhw-yjYg Suits the Nippondenso Dizzy, used on 3K & 4K engines. Cheers Banjo

Hi Phil, Welcome aboard, & we will forgive your 40 year Mazda obession ! Most of us on here, are also "obsessed". I'm not familiar, with the "E" prefix on Toyota Corolla models, but on many early Japanese cars, the "E", usually designated, that the engine, had "Electronic" ignition; when electronic ignition, was new, & not in widespread use. There are a few members on here that have, or have had KE55Es. Just search the threads & you'll come across them. Here are a couple of pics, from this website depicting KE-55s, with both round & square headlights, with the different grills. I had a KE55 2 Door pillarless, coupe with square headlights, which went to Corolla Heaven, after suffering severe cancer, of the rear upper quaters. I'll dig out a picture of it later, & post it here for you. I stripped it, when it was no longer roadworthy, & believe, I still have the square headligh grill stored away. My personal feeling is, that the square headlight versions, were the most attractive. In fact, I liked the square headlight look, I converted my KE30 2 door sedan, from round to suare headlights. Where are you located ? Cheers Banjo

Hi Tomas, There are a number of people selling after-market KE-2X uni joints, on ebay. They are commonly available, in places like Malaysia & Thailand; where the early Corollas, were very, very popular, & they still keep them going. https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p4432023.m570.l1313&_nkw=universal+joints+Toyota+Corolla+KE25&_sacat=0 Here is a u-tube video, which describes how to change the uni-joints, yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atxj3izLg3A Just look how dry the needle rollers are, when He pulls it apart. Let us know how you fare. Cheers Banjo

Hi Tomas, When a car gets to as olde as your KE26 is; things start to wear out, & clunk & rattle. The "drive train" from the back of the engine to the rear wheels , encompasses, gearbox, tail shaft & differential; all parts, which last a long time, & rarely receive any attention, until they make a noise, or a vibration, as is, in your case. Differentials, are usually easy to identify, as they make large clunking noises, taking up the wear in the pinion & gear wheel. The tailshaft, as you have identified, is probably the most likely cause of the vibrations. The universal joints, last years & years, but are made up of a number of small needle rollers, in a cup bearing, around the cross joint. These needle bearings, wear out & can collapse, especially if the uni joints are sealed units, without facilities, to pressure grease them ocassionally. Your suggestion, of taking the tailsft out, & having a specialist replace the uni joints, with new ones completely, sounds like a very going starting point. A Typical Universal Joint If you take out the tailshaft, after draining the gearbox, you should be able to feel any slop or wear in the two uni joints, just by hand. Considering the cars age, the tail shaft, may well perform better, if it is balanced also, whilst it is out; but a specialist, will be able to determine that for you. I think you are on the track, but being a very olde car, replacing the uni joints, may not be the total cause of your vibrations. However, it will be a good start. Please let us know what you find. Cheers Banjo

After reading your post again, I'm not sure whether you are referring to fuel, or oil pouring out ? The "spacer" / "insulator" is a fraction under 10mm in thickness, from the one I measured here this morning, fitted to a running engine. If it is oil, then it is simply a case that the preparation of the mounting land on the block, & fuel pump, have not been prepared well, or no gasket goo applied. There is a lot of oil being "splashed" around, inside the block, at that point. The seal of the fuel pump, to the block, must be totally secure. That's why all new pumps, are supplied with two new gaskets, (one either side of the spacer/insulator). Cheers Banjo