3Y Engine in Microbus Kombi

[Kombi-3Y]

Hi there.

My Kombi has a 3Y engine in it and due to a couple of unfortunate piping events along with the horrible time an engine endures in the bay of a kombi, I am now forced to re-build.

I have never done this before and am VERY excited.
She starts SUPER easy, but smokes like a choo choo and uses oil badly.

Does anyone have any do's and don'ts for me requiring the engine re-build?
I also have a problem with the starter not meshing with the ring gear. Its either the adapter plate or a starter/ring-gear mismatch, but that I will find out later.

The 3Y is NOT ideally suited for the kombi gear ratio and revs quite highly. Can I re-build the motor to last a little longer?

This is awesome! I can't wait for some replies :)

[Mud Dog]

Hi Norman and welcome!!

Almost any motor revs better than the old VW boxer motor! They had awesome torque though!
The 3Y is basically the same as the 4Y motor, just smaller capacity. Fantastic little motors. Have you any idea of the mileage that it's done?

They can be re-bored or even sleeved, but let them mic the bores up first ... there's a slim chance that you can get away with just new pistons and rings. A proper rebuild could be a bit pricey, but the motor will last a long time again after that. The question is, is it going to be worth it? Is the Kombi drive-train and body still good enough to warrant that kind of outlay? Another option, and possibly the best route for your current situation, would be to get a 'knock-off' 4Y from Midas or AutoZone for somewhere in the region of R8½k which would still be less than the cost of a re-build without the lengthy downtime. The 4Y will just bolt in and it will have a starter motor and fly-wheel (not sure if it has a clutch fitted). It would save you a lot of time and money. Just keep the old motor because you might just need the alternator and starter as spares a little further down the line .... the Chinese units aren't that good. (You could use some of the money that you saved to recon the old starter in readiness).

Good luck on your descision.

[Donkey]

Hi and welcome Norman. I tend to agree more with oom Andy - the 4Y is a more popular mod, especially in the taxi industry. Good luck

[Family_Dog]

Hi Norman,

Oom Andy and Donkey have made a sensible suggestion, with which I fully agree. It cost me more to overhaul a Toyota 4Y engine than to purchase a new Midas unit .


-F_D

[Hoppy]

the 3 Y is better suited for your application, it is happier and more economical at high RPM. I'll grind the cam to Brospeed spec or even 272, it will make it stronger and lighter on fuel at high RPM, balancing is also cheap and a good idea. There are some cheap and nasty adaptors around, try to get a bell- housing that uses the std 3Y starter, not the Microbus unit

[Hoppy]

the 3 Y is better suited for your application, it is happier and more economical at high RPM. I'll grind the cam to Brospeed spec or even 272, it will make it stronger and lighter on fuel at high RPM, balancing is also cheap and a good idea. There are some cheap and nasty adaptors around, try to get a bell- housing that uses the std 3Y starter, not the Microbus unit

[Kombi-3Y]

Thanks guys, great advice.

I am turning the Kombi into a camping van and i simply LOVE the sound an feel of the 3y. Its super smoothe!
I will definitely take Hoppy's advice WRT the cam as it is probably in need of a clean cut.

The bus was lucliky never a taxi and is in great nick. It has done well over 500 000 km though, so well traveled.

When I bought the bus, I had a nice stainless exhaust made up and she sounds sweet when operating, especially when cruising.

Fuel is a major concern to me, and I have heard the 4y is a real gas-guzzler. Is that true?

This is gonna be a home project, so besides any engineering, I will be doing all the work myself.

Thanks in advance to all the replies.
ps. I have just sold my Nissan Bakkie and the next one is definitely going to be a Toyota :)