Hey Falcon,

Sump isn't off yet, it's really stuck on one side still (side closest to front of car as engine is tilted up and hard to get any leverage on).

The whole oil pressure thing just goes around in circles, hence why I didn't bother with exact figures, there's a wide range of variables that come into it and in my view Toyota is telling you the safe range.

I don't quite understand the big end/sticky tires comment? Are you referring to the extra load placed on the engine? Is the shimming of oil pressure relief valves a way of raising oil pressure?

In terms of kms, the car has about 200k kms but the engine is rebuilt (the car has an interesting/somewhat unknown history) based on a number of observations I've made. Hence dropping viscosity a bit; partly because I feel it's a fresh engine and just to see how I like the viscosity/brand (trying Nulon)

Sticky tyres allow greater G forces to be generated and lateral G will cause the oil to Gravitate to the ends of the engine and away from the pickup point. Oil pump draws air. Goodbye bigend bearings. Longer right hand curves that push the oil toward the flywheel end of the engine appear to achieve the greatest result. Have a peek inside your sump to see what prevents the oil migrating away from the pickup.
These little cars originally came out with 195-205 - 60 - 14  not very wonderful tyres and sump design to match.
A number of blokes using the Gen2 engines install the Moroso sump to operate safely under G loadings.
Shimming oil pressure relief valve is a means to raise oil pressure BUT is not recommended on an old loose toleranced engine.

Interesting.

So I'm standing at my engine torn about dropping the engine. I can see the benefits but ill be going down a rabbit hole.

If anyone out there in Sydney is keen to give me a hand, learn a few things, have a beer over a weekend and maybe has an engine crane it might be my deciding factor...

On a side note, any strong opinions between using Permatex ultra grey or ultra black for rocker cover, oil pan etc?

MG_MR2
On a side note, any strong opinions between using Permatex ultra grey or ultra black for rocker cover, oil pan etc?

I've always used the black one as it has an 'oil resistantance', from memory, permatex offer two slightly different Black's. Not sure about the grey, never used it to be honest.

Sent from my SM-J320ZN using Tapatalk

I'm halfway through a major service and didn't drop the engine.
 
Definitely possible, if I had my time again, I would drop it.
 
But, the difference is that time is a non issue for me for the most part.

Thanks Carmikey, same reason I chose black. I think the second one your thinking of is 'the right stuff' or similar which is not ideal for that application.

Deevon: I am tending towards the engine drop albeit I think it's overkill and forces me to want to check, clean, paint, replace more

MG_MR2
Thanks Carmikey, same reason I chose black. I think the second one your thinking of is 'the right stuff' or similar which is not ideal for that application.

Deevon: I am tending towards the engine drop albeit I think it's overkill and forces me to want to check, clean, paint, replace more

Definitely an issue, but "do it once, do it right"

Yesterday the turbo and exhaust manifold came out and I got to have a good look beneath.

Just curious regarding the HFH and HFHOE hoses; I'm obviously going to replace them but I think I might have some silicone hose that might be the correct I/D. Any thought on using that (possibly using a heat shielding sleeve over it) for longevity and better resistance to heat?

MG_MR2
Yesterday the turbo and exhaust manifold came out and I got to have a good look beneath.

Just curious regarding the HFH and HFHOE hoses; I'm obviously going to replace them but I think I might have some silicone hose that might be the correct I/D. Any thought on using that (possibly using a heat shielding sleeve over it) for longevity and better resistance to heat?

I got the HFH HFHOE silicone hoses (with the kit from Stoney), but opted to replace them with the stock rubber hoses. HFH comes with a heat sleeve and I added one to the HFHOE.
 
Only reason for that is I've heard silicone really doesn't like too much heat and I don't want to do it again.