Oil Run: Got some good ATF and some inexpensive engine oil. After starting and running the engine, we'll use it to flush any old stuff in there and replace it with good oil.

 

He lives! After a couple faulty (old) spark plugs were replaced, a couple of turns of the engine and, like butter!
The once abandoned for good GS300 now find a new lease on life.


PS - If you ever wondered how a 3GR-FSE sounds without and exhaust here it is. Does have manifold & cats on.

 

And another surprise. The thermostat was cracked ... German parts, Made in China! 😆

 

And he's finally painted! Now wet sanding and getting gonna polish everything including head and taillights. And it won't stay there. Ordering Graphene Ceramic Coating so after everything is done, it will maintain for years to come.

 

What a mess. The wheels are now getting sanded to remove the black paint. Went ahead and had PPG make me the OE Lexus silver but asked for an extra dash of metal flake. The wheels will get refurbished, eliminated and dents, scratches or scrapes.

 

Progress has been a bit slow, it's been raining more or less for a month now.
Second pass of compound, sanding, priming and more sanding. Still some wheels show micro pits and scratches. So one more round and then paint.

 

After all of the above, the wheels finally get painted.

 

This was a surprise, found coilovers when putting the wheels back on. Will definitely adjust after the car is finished. Needs a full undercarriage pressure wash as well.

 

This intake could use some work, it's definately seen better days There is even a hole covered with tape... so we're gonna patch that up, and do a nice refurbishment.

 

Oh Lex, you always have hidden surprises. Behind thermal tape found this hole. (really?!)
Off to get it patched up.

 

A quick run to a welder to patch things up!

 

A good wash with a green mesh scrubber and detergent. Then after drying off. A final wipe with alcohol.

 

Going to sand using 150 and 220 grit sandpaper. Then apply two coats of @krylonbrand specialty high heat paint.




Applied two coats of @krylonbrand specialty high heat paint, and the finish is much better than expected. Gonna let it dry for an hour.

 

And we're back where we started, except now the filter is clean, intake pipe is patched up and painted. Now just do everything again in reverse order.




And here we have a proper, like new, better looking, refurbished intake pipe. I like it better in black, after all, in my opinion, this isn't a race car.

 

And we had another set back. Upon building the car back, the body shop found that the lower radiator support brace was damaged. It took a while to find one of these parts at a reasonable price and was able to find one in great condition in the UK! Nevertheless Quality Parts has super-fast shipping. The brace was about 23 pounds and shipping was another 26. So don't fear to look overseas for parts for our cars.

A quick prep and paint, and the part is as good as new.