Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 14

Thread: identifying a 4a block

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Name
    bazz
    State
    nsw
    Location
    sydney
    Country
    australia
    Posts
    216

    Default identifying a 4a block

    Im trying to identify a 4a engine
    had for a few years and going to put iot in until i build a proper one
    its a 3rib engine with 8 bolt crank
    but when i was giving it a clean it has the 7rib cams (7rib or small port)
    then it has the engine number in a stright line n ot offset like the others ive seen
    it also has a different casting at the back of the intake side
    the sump seems 16V type
    any help identifying it would be appreciated
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4a1.jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	211.8 KB 
ID:	37710Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4a2.jpg 
Views:	34 
Size:	232.0 KB 
ID:	37711Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4a3.jpg 
Views:	34 
Size:	205.8 KB 
ID:	37712Click image for larger version. 

Name:	4a4.jpg 
Views:	35 
Size:	136.1 KB 
ID:	37713

  2. #2
    Veteran LittleRedSpirit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Name
    Matt
    State
    QLD
    Location
    West
    Country
    Australia
    Posts
    1,988

    Default

    Just pull the head off it and see what pistons it has? See whether someone slapped something together oddly or if its a regular 3 rib 16v bottom end. I thought bigport cams were better? Seems like an odd swap.






  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Name
    bazz
    State
    nsw
    Location
    sydney
    Country
    australia
    Posts
    216

    Default

    The cams have definitely been swapped. so i assume most likely the whole head. So it could be a 4ac, but then it would be a 6 bolt crank. it could be a 4afe. im not sure what those blocks look like and they can come 8 bolt.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Name
    bazz
    State
    nsw
    Location
    sydney
    Country
    australia
    Posts
    216

    Default

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	comparison1.jpg 
Views:	30 
Size:	22.6 KB 
ID:	37714Click image for larger version. 

Name:	comparison2.jpg 
Views:	31 
Size:	20.3 KB 
ID:	37715
    All 3 ribs ive seen look like thise. Have that casting on the intake side and have the engine number offset.
    An d dont have that f8 casting

  5. #5
    Veteran LittleRedSpirit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Name
    Matt
    State
    QLD
    Location
    West
    Country
    Australia
    Posts
    1,988

    Default

    Thats real weird. On closer inspection, there are some three rib 16vs with that rounded casting on the inlet side but I cant find a shot of the engine number to confirm its linear.






  6. #6
    Moderator Sam-Q's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Name
    Sam
    State
    VIC
    Location
    Endeavour Hills
    Country
    Australia
    Posts
    4,242

    Default

    Looks like a standard 3-rib Bigport block to me?

    For pictures of both 3 and 7 rib see post #15 here:
    My website: SQ Engineering - 4AGE and 3SGE upgrade/replacement parts

    - SQ Engineering on facebook -

    Please e-mail to contact me instead of sending a private message on here.

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Name
    bazz
    State
    nsw
    Location
    sydney
    Country
    australia
    Posts
    216

    Default

    Yup seen that. It has the cast "bump" this engine doesn't. So it sure if it's a 4ac black or a 4afe or 4age

  8. #8
    Veteran timbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Name
    Tim?
    State
    QLD
    Location
    Wild West
    Country
    Australia
    Posts
    2,145

    Default

    And to spice things up:

    In my AE82 I have a 3 rib block, engine number in a straight line with a 42mm crank, large gze/smallport rods with bigport pistons...

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Name
    bazz
    State
    nsw
    Location
    sydney
    Country
    australia
    Posts
    216

    Default

    What size are the wrist pins? That's an unusual setup. But the block sounds like it's the same one. Is it a factory engine?

  10. #10
    Veteran timbo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Name
    Tim?
    State
    QLD
    Location
    Wild West
    Country
    Australia
    Posts
    2,145

    Default

    Can't remember but I'd say 20mm as I've never heard of those size rods being otherwise. First time I realised was when I rebuilt it and the big end bearings from a bigport kit didn't fit. Sure is the most bizarre 4AGE I have ever seen and I would assume that it was the last of the old 3 rib blocks as they changed over to 7 rib bigports and had no 40mm cranks left.

    edit: no idea if its the original engine or not. It will be stripped at the start of next year and I will keep the motor as a Toyota oddity.

Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Identifying LSD?
    By Sambo NZ in forum Technical - Questions
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 18th September 2013, 01:58 PM
  2. WTB: 4age bare block 3 or 7 rib syd area or 4agze short block
    By aussierider in forum Cars or Parts Wanted
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 4th May 2013, 06:00 PM
  3. help Identifying what motor I have
    By Dexter in forum Technical - Questions
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 19th August 2012, 10:18 PM
  4. Identifying LSD
    By KurtHS in forum Technical - Questions
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 30th May 2010, 10:26 AM
  5. Need some help identifying parts
    By Doylie in forum Technical - Questions
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 29th June 2009, 12:19 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •