1993 SC400 Build
01-07-11, 01:17 PM
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1993 SC400 Build
Hey everyone. I am new to the site. Just got my SC400 a few days ago. I traded a 93 4Runner for this baby and I am extremely thrilled. My father worked as a mechanic for Lexus for many years and I remember roaming the Lexus lot as a teenager and looking at this exact car. The 45k price tag made it seem like I would never have one. Here I am 18 years later the proud owner a pretty neglected car.
The good. Engine is strong. Does not appear to have any serious problems. Timing belt was done 4 months ago (so I am told by PO, no receipts to prove) Nothing seems bad enough that cant be repaired. Underside is clean. CV boots are good. Everything appears to be straight and true.
The bad. The paint is trashed. Good size ding in the passenger fender. Hood has a good nick right on the front. Headlights have had water in them for God knows how long, so will probably have to be replaced. Rear bumper cover have a dent. Clear coat is trashed. Climate control display is almost unreadable. Gauge cluster needles are failing. Lot of cosmetic issues.
Its obvious that this car was a teenager cruiser. Has hideous 20" rims that destroy the ride quality. Cherry bomb mufflers. Poorly installed Clarion touchscreen head unit. My favorite part is the removal of the stock gold emblems, which were painted black than glued back on, crooked.
My plans. I have already did an oil change, putting in Mobil 1 synthetic. I plan to flush cooling system and replace fluid. Replace transmission fluid. Replace spark plugs. replace wires. Replace distributor caps and new rotors. New tires and rims ( back to 16" rims to restore luxury car ride) Replace mufflers with stock mufflers. Replace main cats and all 4 O2 sensors, new brake pads. Replace shock absorbers, replace strut supports in the trunk and the hood. Gauge cluster refurb from Lextech, seat covers or repair. Clean up dash. Repair climate control display, replace bad body parts and eventual complete repaint.
I have my work cut out for me, but I think this car has great potential. I am sure there is an engine rebuild in my future. Car has 197,000 miles. There is a very small leak that appears to be coming from the front crank seal. Not enough to even drip to the ground. While inspecting the underside I could see wet spots above wear the drive shaft connects to the tranny, so an eventual oil seal replacement there. Some wet oil on the differential as well.
Ill keep updating on my progress. Heading to Hollywood tomorrow to pickup stock 16" wheels and new tires off an 02 GS300.
The good. Engine is strong. Does not appear to have any serious problems. Timing belt was done 4 months ago (so I am told by PO, no receipts to prove) Nothing seems bad enough that cant be repaired. Underside is clean. CV boots are good. Everything appears to be straight and true.
The bad. The paint is trashed. Good size ding in the passenger fender. Hood has a good nick right on the front. Headlights have had water in them for God knows how long, so will probably have to be replaced. Rear bumper cover have a dent. Clear coat is trashed. Climate control display is almost unreadable. Gauge cluster needles are failing. Lot of cosmetic issues.
Its obvious that this car was a teenager cruiser. Has hideous 20" rims that destroy the ride quality. Cherry bomb mufflers. Poorly installed Clarion touchscreen head unit. My favorite part is the removal of the stock gold emblems, which were painted black than glued back on, crooked.
My plans. I have already did an oil change, putting in Mobil 1 synthetic. I plan to flush cooling system and replace fluid. Replace transmission fluid. Replace spark plugs. replace wires. Replace distributor caps and new rotors. New tires and rims ( back to 16" rims to restore luxury car ride) Replace mufflers with stock mufflers. Replace main cats and all 4 O2 sensors, new brake pads. Replace shock absorbers, replace strut supports in the trunk and the hood. Gauge cluster refurb from Lextech, seat covers or repair. Clean up dash. Repair climate control display, replace bad body parts and eventual complete repaint.
I have my work cut out for me, but I think this car has great potential. I am sure there is an engine rebuild in my future. Car has 197,000 miles. There is a very small leak that appears to be coming from the front crank seal. Not enough to even drip to the ground. While inspecting the underside I could see wet spots above wear the drive shaft connects to the tranny, so an eventual oil seal replacement there. Some wet oil on the differential as well.
Ill keep updating on my progress. Heading to Hollywood tomorrow to pickup stock 16" wheels and new tires off an 02 GS300.
Last edited by brad11140; 01-07-11 at 01:25 PM. Reason: bad links
01-07-11, 01:34 PM
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post pics of the new wheels on it 
, you are right about the work load , and the potential , hope to see a gigantic pic thread develope out of this
"If you build it , They will bow "
, you are right about the work load , and the potential , hope to see a gigantic pic thread develope out of this"If you build it , They will bow "
and congrats
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01-08-11, 01:05 PM
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Saturday Fun
Ok I tore into it real good today. Inlet plenum is off. Injectors are out. Gonna send them up to Witch Hunter performance for flow testing and cleaning.
One thing I did notice. Timing belt appears to be in great condition. So I was being told the truth. When I peer down into the opening I can see liquid on the belt. Appears to be coolant. This should be completely dry correct. Does this mean I need to pull the water pump. Do I have leak in there? Should I worry about it?
HArd to see, but I can see a little bit of green coolant on the belt down there.
One thing I did notice. Timing belt appears to be in great condition. So I was being told the truth. When I peer down into the opening I can see liquid on the belt. Appears to be coolant. This should be completely dry correct. Does this mean I need to pull the water pump. Do I have leak in there? Should I worry about it?
HArd to see, but I can see a little bit of green coolant on the belt down there.
01-08-11, 03:47 PM
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I think I have done enough for one day
While pulling the plenum the PCV valve hose broke. Completely brittle. Decided to pull valve cover for gasket replace and so I could get at the PCV valve better which was completely cemented into the valve cover.
Normal routine oil changes do not appear to have been done as is shown by the condition of the valve area.
Normal routine oil changes do not appear to have been done as is shown by the condition of the valve area.
01-08-11, 05:48 PM
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Yeah dont think I can afford that. Engine was running pretty good before I tore it apart. Eventually its gonna need a rebuild and Ill worry about it than.
01-08-11, 07:04 PM
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I'm sure there is some magical oil additive out there that I can use to clean it up after I get it running again. Doesn't look pretty, but did not appear to be affecting engine operation.
