EPayne42

Hello,

Yesterday I purchased a 1995 SC400 for my daughter. Toyota/Lexus won me over after I purchased a 1999 ES300 for my son. I learned a lot about the brand after reviving the ES300 and actually grew to respect/love/enjoy these cars. The ES300 community is EXTREMELY helpful and now the car is running smooth as silk.

The SC400 needs a starter. I understand that it's necessary to pull the intake manifold to access the starter. Anyone have a quick link to removal instructions for the manifold and/or starter? I'm a really good DIY'er. I went to auto school and worked at a dealership for a couple years (some 20 years ago). Anything else I should look for while the manifold is off? I'm going to change the valve cover gaskets and spark plug tube seals while I'm in there (valve covers appear to be leaking).

This looks like a great community. Looking forward to sharing my experience with my latest addition.

Studiogeek

iTrader: (6)

Right HERE Buddy!

I'm right behind you. Mine is making strange noises...

Please share your experience HERE on the Club Lexus Performance and Maintenance forum and on the Lextreme forum if it helps you.

Just live inside THIS search for a few weeks.

Good luck!

LuvKaya

Those ES are nice, I started looking at those but my first love is really the SC. Plus I don't need a 4 door sedan.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did you pay for your SC and what was the mileage, oh and what did you use to find the car (craigslist, ebay?). I am still looking and it has been challenging to say the least.

LuvKaya

oh no! I hope you figure out what's wrong, keep us posted...

EPayne42

Hello! My daughter found the car on Craigslist. We paid $900. It has 195K on it. The seller was asking $1000 for it because of the starter issue and the A/C is not working. The body is clean. It's Diamond Pearl White with black leather interior. I'm combing the local salvage yards for odd and ends (broken interior door handle, cracked tail light and so on). I plan on starting a build thread.

EPayne42

thank you!!! Very helpful!!!

lexuscfour

You FOUND a DWP with BLACK interior and ONLY paid $900????


NICE STEAL!!!!

Only thing I can say is that the starter job on our 400's is a royal pita. I did it on my first SC and have yet to do it on this one because I can't find a mechanic brave enough (or cheap enough).

Studiogeek

iTrader: (6)

Find a good mechanic near you on this forum. I'd prefer a mechanic with an Sc to do that job if possible.
Try the regional forums. If you shop around, some deals are out there. I have seen $1500 to $350 prices for the labor.
My $350 guy will get my money but I am printing out the Lextreme directions just in case and hanging around to watch, learn and help

xkazman

Congrats and good luck!!

EPayne42

I completed the starter project some time ago. Works perfect. I had to swap the first replacement starter (purchased at Autozone). Something was wrong with the case and it didn't fit inside the hole to the flywheel. The second one worked out fine.

I also replaced the LCD screen on the climate control. It wasn't as tough as I expected. I purchased the screen from Best Pixel Repair. www.bestpixelrepair.com

LEXLUIS

NICE FIND
I just bought mine a month ago for 800 it was a mess, fixed the doors, power window, rough idle power steering and I am process of slowly restoring to livable conditions.
Tons of link on how to in this forum, check my build
enjoy

DrAtomica

Nice find!

Where are you in TX? Also been searching for a experienced SC mechanic.

EPayne42

I'm in NE Houston area (Humble/Atascocita). I'm just turning wrenching on my cars for now...lol. I'll be happy to share advice in this forum tho.

EPayne42

I checked out your build thread, VERY COOL. I need to rebuild my driver side door panel. I'll try using your supply list. It's pretty impossible to find used door panels of the black leather variety.

Did you rebuild your instrument cluster or just replace the bulbs? Mine has lazy motors and weak bulbs. I was going to send it out for a rebuild.