identifying a 4a block

[bazz84]

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
37710377113771237713

[LittleRedSpirit]

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.

[bazz84]

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.

[bazz84]

3771437715
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

[LittleRedSpirit]

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.

[Sam-Q]

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

For pictures of both 3 and 7 rib see post #15 here:
http://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/showthread.php/26982-4agte-piston-and-conrod-question/page2

[bazz84]

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

[timbo]

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...

[bazz84]

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?

[timbo]

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.

[bazz84]

Fair enough. I bought this engine a while ago because I needed the rwd plenum and gear off it for another project. And now building a budget ae86. So I'm not too fussed if the engine is crap. But don't want it to be a 4ac block otherwise I'll have terrible compression

[LittleRedSpirit]

Hey Timbo what year is the ae82? It could be a factory bitsa if it was made at the end of the model run when they were starting to make ae92s. If it was an 88 model it would be likely. If earlier, then who knows?

[timbo]

Hey Timbo what year is the ae82? It could be a factory bitsa if it was made at the end of the model run when they were starting to make ae92s. If it was an 88 model it would be likely. If earlier, then who knows?

1986 which would make it very odd but I'dd say the motor is a replacement as the shell has done 333xxxkm. No idea if there is a way to find out the original engine number which would make things easier in working out Toyota parts bin specials.

[timbo]

Fair enough. I bought this engine a while ago because I needed the rwd plenum and gear off it for another project. And now building a budget ae86. So I'm not too fussed if the engine is crap. But don't want it to be a 4ac block otherwise I'll have terrible compression

I'm not sure what the visual differences are between a 4AC and early 4AGE block are, surely there would be some casting differences maybe in the ribbing thickness.