Skellington Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I ended up with another project car. It is a 1975 (pre-smog for CA) TE38 E5. I bought it cheap. I drive 300+ miles to see the car. The ad said "Runs Good". I got there and he said it hasn't been driven for 7 years and he had just got it started. He had owned the car for a long time. It served as a first car for all 3 of his kids. I checked it over, bought it, did some minor engine work, and drove it 324 miles home with no issues. The car drives well, but an engine rebuild is needed. It has low power due to compression. It's ugly as sin. The pictures make it look better than it actually is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzhoel Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Wish i could drive cars like that on the road. So much personality but too much cop bait Looks like a beauty how much did you get it for? any moar pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted February 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 It was on CL in LA area. This thing is rough. Interior needs all new. It runs better and better every time I drive it. More of its electrical components are coming alive too. More pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted February 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Messed with it some today. I cleaned off the rest of the paint that was on the windows, Fixed the passenger brake light, fixed hatch latch so I can open it, took out carpet and rear panels to look for rust. Before: After: No rust inside wheel whells, or under carpets. The wet spot is spilled motor oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted March 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2015 I have been driving this car. I took it to work and gave it a good cleaning. I also got some parts for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono.C Posted March 1, 2015 Report Share Posted March 1, 2015 Should look good with the parts installed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dzhoel Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Slap a motorfix sticker on it and those meshies and you'll become an overnight e-celeb ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono.C Posted March 19, 2015 Report Share Posted March 19, 2015 Any updates on this? Love the no ʞ©$ɟs given style of cars in California. Seems you can get away with pretty much anything! Can't believe the roadkill guys drive what they do and don't even get looked at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted March 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Any updates on this? YUP! I did some work on my mesh wheels. 2 are about done. Primer: Bright silver paint: Clearcoat: Assembled: The outer rim / lip is natural aluminum. it will be polished. Pics do not do justice. It looks like bright glittery paint under glass. Out with the old, and in with the new Weber 32/36. I have done this on many of my old Toyota projects, so I have it down. I got to this stage in about 15 mins. I replaced the gaskets on my valve cover gasket, and figured I should clean it so I can see if it leaks. Before: During: After with new carb and clean-ish valve cover: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oh-KE Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 watching this with interest :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono.C Posted March 26, 2015 Report Share Posted March 26, 2015 Getting better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted April 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2015 AHHHH!!! Ill look away and focus on my suspension... MR2 SW20 rear struts Camber plates Waiting on my coil spring hats. I also ordered a bronze sleeve to fill the play between the camber plates and the strut. I also cut another inch and a quarter out of the struts, so they will be shortened by 2.25" total. 8) So far I have put well over 1000 miles on this car, NOT including the 324mile to drive it home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted April 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Struts are going slowly. I had an ancient tire blow out on me at a very slow speed, so I had to get some new ones. I got two for now and put them on one side for pics (the pretty side). I run them both on the back for now. Lots of traction. I grabbed by spare engine from storage and started to tear it down. I don't have a lot of space to work where I am currently living, so I started working in the back of the wagon. Plans are to build a 2tc with a 3tc crank and pistons (AKA 1700cc+). I want to megasquirt the engine and add a low boost turbo, but we will see how far I get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted April 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 28, 2015 I tore this apart (2t). Who knows, It might end up in the wagon. I have a 3t crank sitting there to give it +100cc. I am still not sure how I want to build it. *Warning: crappy pics* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skellington Posted May 9, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 I drove my wagon over 484 miles to visit TORC (toyotafest) in Long Beach California. The wagon made it with no issues. There were some cool cars at the show. I also got more done with my coilovers. I have them all welded and assembled. I need to punch holes in the top hats, and give them a coat of paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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