Unraveling the Royal Lineage (Episode 8, Part 1): Meticulous Teardown of the Engine Right Down to its Final Bolts

Unraveling the Royal Lineage (Episode 8, Part 1): Meticulous Teardown of the Engine Right Down to its Final Bolts

In the heart of the Motomachi Plant, a significant restoration project began in the spring of 2022. The focus? A first-generation Toyota Crown, and more specifically, its original Type R engine.

The Type R engine, a water-cooled inline four-cylinder 1453cc engine with an overhead valve design, dates back to 1953. Over the years, this engine has seen various improvements, with the initial prototype sporting a side valve configuration before being switched to an OHV for superior performance.

The current restoration project, however, presents unique challenges. The team encountered signs of overheating during disassembly, a potential cause of damage throughout the engine. To tackle this issue, they meticulously checked the condition of every component, from the 1956 cylinder block to the 1958 cylinder head and 1955 camshafts.

Due to the engine's age and scarcity, sourcing original parts is a daunting task. In 1958, the con rods were changed to a separate bearing style, which the team had to obtain and fabricate new bearings for. The team's task included stripping, cleaning, numbering, cataloging, checking specs, and deciding which engine parts could be reused and which needed to be made anew.

The disassembly process revealed an assortment of model years among the engine parts. To keep track, team members individually labeled every dismantled part, identifying where it appeared on which year's drawings. Comparing the disassembled engine parts against the original drawings, they found a mix of components from different versions of the engine.

One interesting discovery was that the connecting rods were not fitted with metal bearings, but instead, the bearing material was applied to the surface of the part through thermal spraying. This finding adds to the engine's historical value and presents an intriguing challenge for the restoration team.

The team, consisting of Toru Iwaki, Hiroshi Ito, Yasushi Kato, Masatake Makita, and Shigeo Sonoda, will face the challenges head-on. They will repair worn components, replace obsolete parts, and ensure authenticity while upgrading to ensure reliability and performance suitable for modern use.

The restoration process is a delicate balance between preserving the car’s originality, historical value, and drivability, especially given the rarity and mechanical simplicity compared to modern engines. The team's dedication and expertise promise a successful restoration, breathing new life into this piece of automotive history.

The restoration project at the Motomachi Plant, while focusing on the original Type R engine of a first-generation Toyota Crown, has uncovered unique challenges in the field of automotive industry, particularly in the area of finance, given the engine's age and scarcity. As they strive to maintain historical value, the team will inevitably need to delve into the realm of technology, as they upgrade the engine to ensure reliability and performance suitable for modern transportation.

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