Vehicle Owner

Member ID: kcg795

Location: Skamokawa, WA

Vehicle Info

1984 Toyota Van

Bragging Rights

  • 1/4 Mile0 sec @ -1 mph
  • 0-600sec
  • Top Speed-1mph
  • HP-1
  • Weight3500lbs

Major Upgrades

  • turbo
  • nitrous
  • bore increase
  • port and polish
  • supercharger
  • extrude honed
  • stroke increase
  • engine swap

Modifications

Performance Parts

Car Audio & Video

Ratings

    • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.

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Last updated: Mar 31, 2006

Hits: 32,643

KC’s Toyota Van
“Pill Bug”

  • Currently 3.3 /5 Stars.
19 guestbook comments

So I reassembled the head. Put the radiator hose hook-ups back on, install the "bottom-half" of the intake and the exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold was a bitch!!! The studs needed to be pounded with a block of wood and a hammer so it would go on. I also had to dremel a bit from the bolt hole areas. I felt that this was the best way to encourage it to go on. I finally got it on successfully.

Then I made sure the surfaces were clean. Blew out the headbolt holes with compressed air. Did a thorough check. Then I grab the headgasket, treat it's like a 1 million dollar piece of glass. CAREFUL!! New headgaskets these days are coated with a sealant that will activate when the engine warms up to make sure you get a proper seal. So, I lay her carefully on the block. Then dad and I both lift the head assembly and lay her on the block.

He helps me get all the bolts in their sockets, then goes back in the house. I got the torque wrench and start following the pattern according to the manual. I finally got her all torqued up to spec. I overtorqued it just a bit to be sure. The torque wrench I used was an old "bender" type I borrowed from a friend. It could be off. So I want to be sure that head is torqued down right. I don't wanna blow this headgasket.

kcg795's 1984 Toyota Van

kcg795's 1984 Toyota Van


kcg795's 1984 Toyota Van

Right now, this is where she stands until I can get more money. The injectors need to be cleaned and gotta get new banjo fitting gasket washers for the fuel lines.

I did a compression test. I'm getting around 195 PSI. So that's a good sign! The headgasket is sealing!

Guestbook

Displaying entries 1-5 of 19

funwagon  

Posted by: funwagon

08/23/2009 12:42PM

I am about as far from a gear head as one can get, but my 1984 LE van is losing power and needs hte exhaust system replaced. Apart from getting the old bolts off, is this something a novice could/should even try? I'm hoping it restores some of the power too, Also, I'd love to convert this van over to a camper. Does anyone have experiences with that? Sources?

Carbon42  

Posted by: Carbon42

07/02/2009 08:06PM

I really admire your determination and perseverance. You took an old car and made it run (almost) like new. That takes know how and a lot of time, I must say. I'm on the verge of getting an 89 LE Van for $400 from Portland, and I'll have to take pics and work on it this summer for Car Domain. I think these 80's vans are really cool looking, no wonder they were marketed in Japan as the Space Cruiser. I don't know what I want to theme mine yet, though. Any suggestions? Come by my page later, when I have it up. It's nice to see a fellow Washingtonian around. :D

OverkillHarvill  

Posted by: OverkillHarvill

02/02/2008 01:13AM

All these great looking vans.Do you guys know a good place for parts? I am looking for the steering middle arm [or link] for my 1985 Toyota van. I already have a new idler and pitman arms. But no one seems to know what I am talking about. All the wrecking yards here in my part of Texas have crushed all their old vans. If anyone knows a wrecking yard or a hard to find parts place that would handle it please E-mail me at OverkillHarvill@Gmail.com

durr_ruh_rurr  

Posted by: durr_ruh_rurr

11/12/2006 06:42PM

These were cool, my parents had one. I really liked the equalizer and the cheesy 80s level meter next to it lol! I also liked the forward control design. Ours had the ice maker option too. Top speed was maybe 80mph on a good day, but the forward control made 55mph feel like 90mph.

DANGER60RANGER  

Posted by: DANGER60RANGER

09/15/2006 07:54AM

hey man i see you have a toyota van i have a brand new water pump a FULL GASKET kit that cost over 200 dollars and a brand new aluminum head with new springs and valves and some other odds and ends if you want ill make you one he!! of a deal as i no longer have my van. i also have a manual from toyota. shows EVERY THING. if you or any one you know needs any of these parts email me at kehighfield60@gmail.com

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Vehicle Owner

Member ID: kcg795

Location: Skamokawa, WA