MR2 Update: ...and I was grateful!

Engine mostly mounted. I converted all potential parts headaches to US model equivalents instead of dealing with potential Japanese parts orders. This ended up being a God-send of sorts, because closer inspection of the “better” Japanese equipment proved that even though they were shiny and visibly less tired, they were actually in poorer shape.

The A/C compressor for instance barely turned and had all the spinning ability of a rock and some sandpaper. The “used” US one was rebuilt in Texas and spins effortlessly.

Another surprise is the model year of new engine.
As I kept sorting through wiring shenanigans and making the best of the situation through common sense (JDM connector shenanigans), I noticed the distributor and igniter were different- way different. So upon researching the parts code of the igniter, I noticed that it was for a Gen2 (US year 94+) motor.

I was replacing a Gen1 (US year 91) motor.

And like a kaleidoscope of failure the problems became obvious. This kind of swap is still common, but it gives me a frame of reference for how to go about things moving forward (and kept me from making some hilarious mistakes).

It’s not the engine I wanted, It’s actually a bit better, and I can make do. It’s not the supplier’s fault either for shipping the wrong product. Because it is a 3SGTE engine like I ordered. It probably did come from an early gen MR2 SW20 like I need. And it does have all its parts. But the key here is what year are they referring to and from what country are they referencing, because the USDM motors lagged behind their JDM counter parts. A ’93 3SGTE motor means 2 different things depending on country.

Regardless, whether through ignorance or accident, I got a better engine than I bargained.

In a dream world, the car would be running given a few more hours of hard work and no mistakes. It’s about 5 radiator hoses, reassembling the fuse box, putting on the other engine mounts, attach the shift cables, attach the transaxle, and add fluids. I’m in the final mile.

The thing that amuses me the most is the anecdote I can distill from this. It's been cold lately, with snow all over the ground typically.

I can finally say, "In my day when we wanted a car we built it... out of parts... in the snow... AND WE WERE GRATEFUL!"


I'm not embellishing that much at all either.

Broiling with Anger

After being stopped by an officer (Mississippi license plate was held on by a q-tip effectively) and questioned about the legal status of the vehicle (steering column protected by a used sock), the driver (here to fore referred to as Mr. R Kelly since he's taking a piss all over everything) took off. After a short pursuit the thief crashed into a pole and abandoned the vehicle shortly before being apprehended.
The pictures are as I got it from the impound lot.

I've actually known about this and the vehicle for a bit now but did not know how to handle it personally. There was a regurgitating fury regarding this when I first set eyes on the truck again. There was also some arcane douchebaggery at the impound lot regarding pulling the vehicle out (at one time it was estimated to be around $400, and under draconian pretenses) that turned out to be mostly smoke and mirrors (it cost $135, and was pretty straight forward).

The pictures speak volumes. He sold everything not bolted down- wait, no. In a precedent violating RPG conventions, he sold everything... even the stuff bolted down. He sold the spare tire and jack (with evidence that he had trouble getting it out much like I did), the center console radio, and all sorts of odds and ends including the battery and tires.

But he replaced the window he broke and put on some bitchin', as one friend put it, "black man rims".
That evens it out right?

I'd call this rape, I mean he stole my Truck, What kind of a sick sort of individual steals a man's truck? And not just stole it, put on his own rims and drove it around like it was his.

However, I think it demeans the meaning of the word despite it taking my sense of security and value regarding the vehicle. It's merely disheartening now.

Mr. R Kelly's upgrades: Keyless ignition. Seriously, it's bloody mind numbingly easy to jack a GM apparently. Just crack open the steering column and pull on one of the tabs inside.

The damage run down: Structural damage, hood jam, fuel leak (serious), bad battery, interior cosmetics, passenger side rear tire locked, parking brake unresponsive but presumed disengaged, wipers come on with the lights, and "black man rims".

It runs actually. It moved -defiantly, engine roaring- under its own power to where it is now, but no further due to a lack of precise control on account of the wheel locking up.
However despite first appearances, the damage is quite significant. It's far more in cost to repair than what it costs to get another truck; particularly given the bar that has to be passed with Memphis inspections.

As such it will be picked up today by a wrecker.

I've said my good byes and hope it goes to "Truck Heaven" (queue heavenly choir) for being such a reliable vehicle.

Bonus points on the moron who did this: Now this creeps me out. I got the court papers recently. After seeing Mr. R Kelly's name, I realized that we've gotten this guy's mail before. I've always written "does not live here" on the envelopes and put them back in the mail box though.

An Awkward Reunion