3SGTE rocker cover query

[Lanius]

Can anyone tell me if the rocker covers are the same throughout the different generations of 3SGTE?

3SGTE from ST185 with damaged rocker cover, need to know if a replacement cover can be sourced from any of the other 3SGTEs or if it *has* to be from another ST185 model ...

[Malcolm]

they were definitely different from generation to generation, whether or not a different one would still function I don't know. MR2 turbo's had a slightly different PCV tube on them (has a bend in it), but other than that one of them will work

[z|gen]

heres the pics of the damage -
the first one is of the pieces which were found under the inlet camshaft near cylinder 3


the second is of the hole - kinda hard to see so iv highlighted the area and its relation to where the sparkplug is on the rocker cover


- David

[Dell'Orto]

That looks eerily similar to this


Is this a common thing with 3SGTE's? I'd never heard of it before until I saw mine

[Lanius]

do you know what caused that dude?

[Malcolm]

the only thing I can think of that would possibly cause damage like that is if a shim got thrown out of it's bucket by the cam at high rpm, which is supposed to be a potential problem with gen 1 & 2 3sgte's with high lift cams (steep "ramp" angle) but I've never heard of it happening on a stock motor

[z|gen]

well, the engine is stock, or was anyway,
doesnt seem to be any damage to the head, slight grazing, doesnt seem too major, only other thing out of place which i have no idea on,
2 tube like pieces - hollow insides about 3-4cm long..?

[Malcolm]

valve guide bushings? although it would be pretty tricky for those to come out.
oh wait, no those are the bushings that the bolts go through for the throttle body bracket. they're meant to be on the outside, they probably just fell out when you took the cover off, if they were inside though, that would be a problem

[z|gen]

yeah..its something chronic and weird this engine,
but back on topic - sorry for the hi-jack lanius

i assume theres various styles on the rocker covers? mine is the one with just toyota on it, but iv seen some thing twin cam 16valve etc ?

[Al]

Heres mine

gen2 3sgte

[z|gen]

k, thats the same as the one i have, so maybe i was thinking of the inlet manifold rather than the rocker cover - any idea on what they sell for ?

[Tallbloke]

I know the subjects a little old now but Revisions 1 & 2 have the same cover while revision 3 onwards has the same.

hth

Chris

[Malcolm]

not true, gen 1 (from st165) has a different cover to gen 2. Even gen 2's have different breathers depending on whether they're from an st185, st185 RC, or sw20 turbo

[z|gen]

but will the different rocker covers still fit onto a different head? they do all have the same bolt pattern, or would i need to source a gen2?

[strx7]

I have a rocker cover from a 1990 GT4 ST185 sitting at work at the moment on the dead engine i pulled from mine. PM Me if ya interested $50?

Cheers
Shane

[Malcolm]

if you use an sw20 rocker cover on a st185 you will need to slightly alter the hose for the crankcase vent. however since that dude ^^^^ has an st185 one, looks like no problems

[Lanius]

but will the different rocker covers still fit onto a different head? they do all have the same bolt pattern, or would i need to source a gen2?

The rocker cover I found ya will be on its way today bro
(along with all the other parts!)

[z|gen]

true, sweet as dude
finally got the crank pulley off, and the head off, so soon it will be time to strip it, and off for an acid dip

[Lanius]

Awesome, stoked its working out eh!

I've finally got my car back on the road about a week or so ago ... LOVING it (running in stock condition!) even though the exhaust rattles a bit more than before

Going back soon for a confirmation compression test on the new engine, and to get the exhaust rattle sorted. Only problem is I might have to end up selling the car to recover the too-much-money I spent on the new engine and box etc

*cries*