V6 WARNING thread READ THIS BEFORE INSTALL!

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It has come to my attention that many folks are using Japanese imported engines in their builds. This is fine except a very small number of these engines VZ and MZ apparently have a different crank. Or at a minimum the crank is machined differently. The problem occurs when a manual transmission is mated to the engine. There is no relief machined in the end of the crank to accept the MT input shaft.

The number of these incompatible engines is very low. Maybe less than 10% but DOUBLE TRIPPLE check that your crank is compatible BEFORE bolting the transmission on!

So far this applies to 3VZ, 5VZ and possibly 1MZ engines. Again CHECK YOURS BEFORE BOLTING ON THE M/T TRANSMISSION!

Pictures follow of NAracers incompatible crank:



This is how thre recess SHOULD look.

[Node]

While im at it:

If you purchase an automatic model engine DO NOT reuse the flex plate bolts for a M/T flywheel. The manual bolts are much longer since the flywheel is thicker. If you reuse the A/T bolts there is a possibility of sheering. The correct bolts are inexpensive and usually in stock at any Toyota dealership.

[Weasy2k]

Thanks for the info! Thats crazy i never knew they changed some of them...

[hfmt93]

"Founder of the V6 Engine Stand Club...Join Today! (Or perhaps you are one of those "cool" guys who wants to put his v6 in the car instead. )"

Thats great!! Where do i sign up?

[Weasy2k]

your in!

[Toysrme]

You think maybe they came from the real JDM Camry? It was alot smaller car than the Export Camry / Windom / ES 300 of that time frame.


See if ya can't look-up the engine code & the vin it came from with Toyota Japan.

[Toysrme]

Oooooooh that's an easy answer lol!
I'm going to say it probably came from a 1995-96 Toyota Windom. It's got traction control.

[brokendan]

so what can be done if it turns out u have one of these..just order a new crank?

[V6'er]

Go buy a really large drill bit.

[brokendan]

heh alright i mean i havent ordered one yet but thought it would be a good thing to know

[Fabulousj79]

Anyone have a pic of what the recess should look like? It appears the photo link is dead.

I was planning to buy a sludged JDM 1MZ tomorrow as a rebuildable core, glad I saw this post!

[Jason.MZW20]

Anyone have a pic of what the recess should look like? It appears the photo link is dead.

I was planning to buy a sludged JDM 1MZ tomorrow as a rebuildable core, glad I saw this post!

The recess should be concave to allow space for the input shaft.



I took this picture after I sheared a bolt right off on my rear main housing. So, I had to redo the whole RTV seal again. Also make sure the rear main seal is properly set, otherwise it'll leak like crazy.

[insaneredrooster]

Lucky me. I got one on a USDM 3VZ


This is out of a 92 Lexus ES300.

[CJMR2T]

Lucky me. I got one on a USDM 3VZ
http://i1182.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7752cee8.jpg

This is out of a 92 Lexus ES300.

Hmmm, interesting... I cant say that I've seen a USDM one with the non-relief crank. Something else about that engine, its a "reman'd" engine incase you weren't aware of it.

[insaneredrooster]

Hmmm, interesting... I cant say that I've seen a USDM one with the non-relief crank. Something else about that engine, its a "reman'd" engine incase you weren't aware of it.

Wasn't aware.. How can you tell?

[CJMR2T]

Wasn't aware.. How can you tell?

Do you see that silver plug that is glued / epoxied into the block just above and to the right of the rear seal housing? That is an overheat indicator that was installed for warranty purposes to indicate if the engine was overheated.

[insaneredrooster]

Do you see that silver plug that is glued / epoxied into the block just above and to the right of the rear seal housing? That is an overheat indicator that was installed for warranty purposes to indicate if the engine was overheated.

Ah I did notice that but didn't give much thought to it. Well that's good to know. Explains why the timing belt and water pump look newer than another 3VZ I have in my garage (yeah I have two at the moment...).
Thanks CJMR2.

[insaneredrooster]

Turns out it's not a reman. Those are just from the junkyard I bought the motor from. But coincidentally, the motor is really clean and seems to have been recently serviced (new belt, new water pump, everything sealed really nice, etc.).