Great Deal

Friends, I may have just found the total bomb of a deal. It's Quick Trip's new Rewards Program. You start off by saving 5 cents a gallon. EACH gallon! That adds up especially if, like me, you have a full size truck! The whole process is handled online (Click HERE!)

Just wanted to pass this along to everyone.

Busy Busy Busy

I know it's been a while since my last post. Unfortunately, I have not had the time or resources to work on the Celica. She is still setting out in the back yard, collecting dust. The motor and transmission are covered.

What am I needing? Ah, here is the list (any help would be greatly appreciated!)
1. LCEngenering
a. Electronic Distributor
b. Ignition Assembly
2. Looking for a Stage 2 Clutch
3. Transmission once over (thinking AAMCO)
4. Want to sand blast the engine bay and repaint it
5. Body Work
6. Hugger Orange paint job
7. New Side mirrors
8. Window tinting
9. New front window
10. Any (and every) thing else I forgot!

I am hoping to get back to work on it soon.

Vacation!

The family went to West Virginia for a little pre-summer vacation and see our daughter graduate from high school.

Day 1: Spent a wonderful day in Baltimore, MD. What a beautiful city. Spent the day walking around the harbor and visited Johns Hopkins.

Day 2: Graduation Day! Jordan looked so awesome. Senior prank... Fire alarm! Then off to a BBQ

Day 3: Harper's Ferry. WOW! Probably walked 5 miles that day. The town is so full of history.

Day 4: Washington, DC. We couldn't have picked a better day to be in Washington, Memorial Day! Flags, people, dedications, parade... It was so neat seeing in real life the monuments that we see on TV almost weekly. Lincoln, Washington, Vietnam Vets wall, WWII Memorial, Jefferson. Another 5 miles of walking and tons of pictures.

Day 5: Luray Caverns. It's places like this that really do show the glory of God's power and wisdom. We took the tour, lasted about an hour, walked about a mile, enjoyed every moment. I highly recommend a visit if you ever in West Virginia (Website)

Day 6: Got Ruby and the kids to the Airport, rental car returned and Jordan and I were off on our road trip home. I81 to I40 to I17. 2254 miles in less than 34 hours. We ROCK!

Got home to a busted water heater and a sick kitten. But I would not have passed up the trip for anything!

New Engine getting closer!!!!

The powder coating is done...

Here are the head light assemblies:

Motor Pics. So VERY close to having it ready to install.


Now it's time to put it all together.

Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New Engine

I was totally bummed when the second engine died.

I went looking for a new block and luckily found a 22R for $75 in Mesa. Picked it up and then tried to find the time to build a motor. Time did not present it's self but my son started working for "The Shop" in Avondale. He got me a complete build (22R Block and crank, 20R head) for under $1000! She is a Beauty!!

My son and his friend own a Powder coating comany and he has been coating all my parts.

More to come!!!!

View Full MyPersonality.org Profile

0 50 100	%
Openness	56%
Conscientiousness	75%
Extraversion	100%
Agreeableness	56%
Neuroticism	44%

Once Home...

Little things needed to happen like emissions. What a head ache. 2 weeks, $200 and a complete carburetor rebuild (thanks Carburetor Exchange!), she was legal!

I drove her for about 4 months, slowly fixing things like rear shocks and brakes.

Like a total dope, I let a "friend" borrow the car. UNBELIEVABLE! With in 2 weeks, he had blown the head gasket. I was so angry!

I went and got a gasket kit and started the process of pulling off the head. Exhaust and intake came off with out a glitch. Valve cover off, on the the head bolts. Removing them in order, I get to #6 and SNAP!!! Busted head bolt. I spent 3 weeks trying to get the broken bolt out, nothing I tried worked.

I found a motor in Canada and got it shipped here for about $950. What I should have done, a complete rebuild, I didn't do. I did replace all the gaskets, new water pump, oil pump, exhaust header, Weber Carb. It was looking good! Fired right up and I was thrilled!

Got another 4 months out of it before it started acting up again. AS long as the engine temp was below 140 degrees, it ran fine. Once it hit 150, it acted like it was choking , at 155, she would die. I still don't know what happened or why. I figured, Time for a NEW motor and thus this!


Engine was built by Precision Auto (Great job!!!)
Powder Coating by Phoenix Powder Koating

The "New" One

Three years ago, I started "talking" to the wifey about getting a motorcycle. This conversation was not going well to say the least. She found a 1977 Celica on E-Bay for $1800. she showed it to me, I called the guy and decided it was worth it.
Problem: Located outside Seattle Washington.
Solution: ROAD TRIP!

We headed out driving through California, Oregon then on up to Seattle.


View Larger Map
1508 miles (Google wise) took up just over 24 hours. We bought th ecar and headed home. Made it to Redding and needed to crash for the night.

Next morning, the ole Celica was not very happy. ended up doing a complete tune up (cap, rotor, plugs, Plug wires, etc) Almost worked. Found out once we got her home, she needed a carb rebuild, BADLY!

She did make it home, took us almost 36 hours.

---

---

My First Celica 1985

I was working with my uncle in Denver. 19 years young and was borrowing a Mercury from my uncle for transportation.

A auction came up and we were looking for a new loader and dump truck for the business. I saw here sitting in an isle next to a totaled 240SX. She was sweet. She had a straight body and ran ok considering it was an auction vehicle. I got her for $650, towed it back to the shop and started working on her.

Step one? A clutch! That was easy, messy with gear oil all over but easy. Then I had the carb rebuilt and she was on the road.

New tires and rims, a Pearl White paint job with custom flat black details. Just lovely!

I brought her to Phoenix and basically ran her into the ground. When her motor went, after 230,000 miles I might add, I decided I would rebuild the motor. I should have rebuilt it my self but I went ahead and let a "friend" of my ex-wife's father rebuild it. Lets just say that was a really BAD idea and off the the junk yard she went.

I miss her. But now I have a replacement!

1977 Toyota Celica - My Stories

My name is Rob and I am the proud owner of a 1977 Toyota Celica.

This puts my Celica in the First Generation of the SWEET sports cars from Toyota.

Quick Celica History

The Celica was originally designed for motorists who love fun and style, and more than just a simple means of transportation.

The name is derived from the Latin word célico meaning "from the heavens" or "celestial".

The first generation Celica was released in 1970 at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show in October. It was a "cut-down" version of Toyota’s supercar, the 2000GT, so it was a relatively affordable sports car.

Its styling was quite revolutionary for the day. The Celica was Toyota’s version of the successful Ford Mustang.
The very first issuing of the Celica was the LT and ST. The lower-end LT was equipped with a 2T carburated four-cylinder engine displacing 1600 cc, while the ST came with a twin Solex-carburetor 2T-B engine.
The Celica did well from the day it hit the Toyota showroom floors. The first major change took place in 1974 with the addition of the GT model. The 2T-G (115 HP) that powered this new high-end GT model was a DOHC twin-Solex carburetor 1600 cc engine.
The GT model had many upgrades including underbody spoilers, tinted windows, hood flutes, power windows, air conditioning, "GT" emblem front grill. It shared thea full-length center console and oil pressure/ammeter gauges with the ST rather than the LT’s warning lights.
The GTV version also had the 2T-G engine, with a slightly cut-down interior, and did not come with things like power windows, but they were optional. The GTV has firmer suspension.
In 1974, 1976 and 1977 Celica wins Motor Trend "Import Car of the Year."
In 1976, the Celica line grew with the addition of the liftback (LB) model, available only in GT trim. The liftback was introduced for Japanese market in April 1973, but not until 1976 for North America.
The GT package included the larger engine (20R), offered sportier handling and a higher-grade trim. This model was marketed as a sport-touring type automobile, offering greater comfort and luggage capacity than the standard models.

The very first Celica for North America was the 1971 ST that was powered by 1.9 liter 8R engine. The 1972, 1973 and 1974 models have 2.0 liter 18R engine. For 1975, 1976 and 1977, engine for the North American Celica is 2.2 liter 20R.
The Celica GT and LT models were introduced in the U.S. for the 1974 model year.
The top-line GT included a 5-speed manual transmission, rocker panel GT stripes, and styled steel wheels with chrome trim rings.
The LT was marketed as an economy model. Mid-1974 saw minor changes in the Celica’s trim and badges.
In June 1977, the Toyota Celica reached one million models produced.