[Supras] Engine rebuild

[Bill]

The soap opera of my rebuild continues. Bad news is my first known self-inflicted mistake: Oh, DO, DO, DO get the front cover of the engine milled at the same time you get the block decked for your metal head gasket. Oops, I didn't. Now I am. Didn't realize at the time that the head goes OVER this cover, not up against it! I'll never make THAT mistake again! (I know, the head info says to do it, but I forgot.)

Bought pistons on ebay....not quite sure about them. Maybe somebody can clear this up for me. There are turbo and non-turbo pistons, right? According to the EPC, 7MGE should have 42070 and 7MGTE should have 42080. I have a 7MGE, yet I had pistons with a casting that said 42080. The ring side play on #1 ring was to big. The top grooves were to big. I guess this was why I had broken rings. I bought what were supposed to be new 7MGE pistons; yet again, these too, say 42080. The top ring now fits perfect. However, you can push the wrist pins out at room temp. The manual says if you can do this, replace the pistons! The other thing is that there is no visual difference, other than the ring groove. I don't get how there can be any compression ratio difference because of the pistons.  Anybody else run into this? Do I use 'em or send 'em back?

Also, I have a few top end rod bushings that are to loose. I am QUITE sure this was my knock, one in particular. Anybody ever replaced just the bushings? They ARE available separately, apparently, but need an SST. I do have a press. Just wondering if anyone has bothered to do this or just replace the rod?

Sorry I'm still down low on the learning curve, here. Someday, I'll know what the heck you turbo guys are talking about. ha ha.

Thanks,
Bill