7A-FE connecting rod bolts, Is the BGB specification incorrect? Options

[Langing]

Beginning to rebuild my Celica ST 7A-FE engine (finally).

Page EG-132 of the repair manual asked me to measure the DIAMETER of the connecting rod bolts (at the measuring point - some 20 mm from the head of the bolt).

They specify the standard diameter: 8.860 - 9.000 mm (0.3488 - 0.3543 ")

And the minimum diameter: 8.60 mm (0.3386")

My bolts measured about 7.22 mm (0.284"), which is less than the minimum, which means I need to buy new bolts.

Then I checked my Haynes manual and found they had a different minimum bolt diameter spec of 0.2992". Still, my bolts are 0.015" smaller than the minimum and I still need to buy new bolts, BUT. . .

The Toyota manual spec seems so much larger than my bolts, AND the Haynes manual spec is quite close, so I question whether Toyota has a mistake in their manual, and would like to know if anybody has a correct spec for this bolt, or can tell me where I might find it. I am suspecting that I would not get much help if I called Toyota. Maybe I am wrong.

[Smaay]

now that i know you grossly overheated the engine. I suggest replacing it. the 7A is not worth the money it costs to replace everything. just find a replacement, or upgrade to a better engine

[Langing]

now that i know you grossly overheated the engine. I suggest replacing it. the 7A is not worth the money it costs to replace everything. just find a replacement, or upgrade to a better engine

I should have asked for your opinion back when it happened. I already ripped out the engine, tore it down, cleaned all the parts, got a refurbished head and all the parts I thought I would need to overhaul the 7A-FE block, and have been working on doing everything necessary to rebuild it.

Frankly, I find it taxes my abilities just to do this simple and straight-forward rebuild task and cannot imagine undertaking any mods whatsoever to upgrade to a better engine. At least at this point in my development. I am treating this effort as a learning experience on a 'learner car' cause the car and engine is virtually worthless on the market. Unless I get the car running again, all the money spent is 'sunk' cost. Prior to the engine problem, I had completely rebuilt the suspension, bearings, ball-joints and brake system, so once it is running it should be 'good to go' for another 300 k miles if I can fix its interior to where I can stand driving it.