Obviously in referrence to the oft notioned occurrence of less than fortunate luck - in my particular, relentlessly, sombre toned case (hears a minute violin song), this started 3 weeks ago when I experienced the aforementioned issues. Three weeks on, and I discover that work has only JUST commenced! Joy. Part deux occurred yesterday, when I received a parcel from Malta...could it be...my Cruise camshafts?!
Box opened...ummm, these look stock - quick research revealed I was misinformed in my presumption that they were billet camshafts, so, no real issue - however, that goes beyond the point of the denomination as the 2nd round of misfortunes. Here's what I discovered:
So, after spending, a rather exorbitant amount of money, for regrinds, I receive them in this condition - what almost amused me, was that this was very much a case of history repeating itself! In 2007 I purchased myself some 5E-FHE camshafts from a apparently reputable guy in America, took pictures of them to show-off, then stored them, until last year, wherein I sold them. I was then contact by a very angry German man accusing me of shady dealings, and proving such with pictures of damage...which was almost EXACTLY the same as the above. And yes, I sold those camshafts...as I was getting these! In this scenario, its almost the same story - seller this time, never checked the camshafts, and never even wrapped them himself, and just sold them on to me, whereas previously, the person had the engine disassembled by someone else, and never checked the camshafts before sending out to me.
However, there is some solace, as today, I received this...
That is my "Cruise Replica" GReddy TD05H-18G Turbine kit by Zisco, complete with a SARD CII Wastegate (which I'm replacing anyway). Do not be fooled - it is not being used on the 4E-FTE (unless I get bored), its only there to show its assembled state. It's a big advance, as its a core component for the pending 5E build, however, it was dampened somewhat by the issue with the camshafts. Oh not to forget, I also got this:
It should be a Zep Racing Floor brace..bought this about 2 years ago!
So that is the current status - car only just getting worked on, some parts for the ultimate build arriving, some received in a decrepid state, some not, and a 4E-FTE engine acheing to be finished and installed.
So to return to the initial, and rather depressing statement, with the presumed two thirds quota out of the proverbial three, I am waiting now for the garage to inform me that they are too scared to touch my car in case they contract its aggressive strain of AIDS.
...
Buddha knows why I'm not at it (it's not a typo, bear with me)...on the return from a weekend in Bristol, I luckily decided I needed to empty my bladder, and so pulled off into a service station, and pulling into the parking spot I notice a prominent rattling sound emanating from the engine bay.
After much deliberation, I had come to the conclusion that it was somehow brake master cylinder/brake booster related, as the brake pedal sank to the bulkhead when the noise recommenced, and would also pulse. So, I was pretty much left with no brakes, 80mi from home, in freezing temperatures, though I was fortunate to have a service lodge to lounge around in for 4 hours!
I just don't know why I bother sometimes, should've just left the vehicle there to curse someone else! Anyway, the car is now at a local garage I know well, hopefully get a quotation soon.
Hmmm...
Anyway, got bored, so did a bit of sanding on the cover, think it came out ok. Only annoyance is that I neglected to mask of surrounding areas and there's a bit of scratching where there shouldn't be, which has ticked me off, but alas.
That is all ;)
Also note the braided CT9 oil feed/return hoses loosely in position (they're a bit long unfortunately, but shouldn't prove problematic), and also, the new fitting on the turbocharger side:
Yeah, that was terrible.
Anyway, what to say, other than the engine is by and large, built! Yesterday was all about the timing, and as such, that has been done, with the timing belt installed, timing checked (slightly out on the camshaft but I'm hoping still witihin reason!), and I also got the alternator bracket and intake manifold on.
I also installed the pretty, polished & flowed throttlebody I purchased a while ago, one of the few modifications going in on this engine from the outgoing. 
So what is left now? Well...
- Need to receive the flywheel, which will allow me to install it and the clutch onto the engine
- Change the clutch release bearing on the gearbox
- Once the above is done, combine the gearbox and engine
- Receive the banjo bolt for the turbo oil feed
- Remove old engine
- Swap alternator, starter, thermostat housing, IACV valve, TPS, distributor, onto new engine
- Install new engine (after retrieving engine mount from Monsieur Mark)
- Mount CT9b turbo onto manifold and downpipe, and install
- Replace exhaust-downpipe studs
And that should be, it'll be complete!! So, yes, I'm so nearly there I can almost taste it...though, I'm not sure I want to taste grimey, oily engine..
...is unusually productive! Further beavering away ot the engine resulted in me getting the water pump installed on the block, oil filter housing as well...and most importantly, the cylinder on and installed!!
I have also managed to install the camshafts (although I think I may have slightly messed up the torquing sequence for the camshafts, I hope its ok). So...yeah, this really is the home stretch! Tomorrow I will start getting down to setting the base timing on the engine and getting round to installing the remaining ancillaries, after which I can bring the engine down, and on receipt of a spare flywheel, get it installed to the gearbox!
Oh, also, another update for tomorrow, I'll just say - Think Pink!
I'm sure I could hear this grand song in the background, as, with the clearing of the snow, postal worker after postal worker came to my house to deliver 2 Packages!
Hey, its better than nothing! I was gladly surprised however, as one of the packages was from Toyota, which meant I finally got the Oil Pressure Regulator bolt on, torqued, and the sump is finally on!! Christ this must be the slowest Overhaul...
I also received the braided CT9 oil feed/return kit, which seems to be quite well made, and I cannot wait to reap the benefits of its FAR superior manageability - to hell with that solid oil feed line, forever, mnwaahah! (If I jynxed it, again, damn me!)
So now its the home stretch really - soldier on, get ancillaries all bolted on, get the head assembly on, then bring the engine down and get the ensemble bolted to the gearbox...and then, IN the car!! Woo!
