LJ78 wanting a 3L cylinder head

[fishmon]

Hey all, first post and it bears bad news.....

I purchased an LJ78 from Japan about a month ago and all was great. Since then I have managed to blow the cylinder head on the 2L-TE engine on a recent trip going from Vancouver to 100 mile over some serious hills.

I should have installed a pyro as the Toyota gauge did not alert me to the temperature problems until it the temperature rose out of control without adequate warning. I was driving over 3000 rpms for parts of the hills and the engine simply got too hot . If you start heating up at all you should pull off - there may have been problems already but as I've said, I drove around for close to a month with zero issues.... Now it is white smoke out the tailpipe. It seems that I have learned a tough lesson in how to drive these vehicles.....

So my current dilemma, I am hoping to replace the cylinder head with a 3L one from Allhead in australia or something like that. I am not sure of all the parts that I will need but I have read that some people on this forum have successfully completed the 2.4 - 3L surgery. Any help would be appreciated. Also - if anyone has any experience to pass on as to how the vehicle performs after making the swith to the 3L head I would also be very interested to hear what differences you have noticed.

Info that would help would be the model or specs of the 3L head I should order, which gaskets I'll need, and anything other info that people have learned from this process.

I have been reading threads on this forum for a while but this is my first post and I'm glad that there is some support for these vehicles.

I am also wondering if anyone can recommend a mechanic in the Vancouver area that is familiar with working on these engines.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Fishmon

[light_duty]

Another one bites the dust!

As far as I know, 2rivers is the only one on this board who did the Allhead/3L thing. I went with the Toyota replacement head, which not only saves about $500 in shipping, but is actually a head designed for a turbo. You can get it from your Toyota dealer. If you like, I can get you the part number, though I'm sure I've posted it somewhere on the board.

Robin

[denis]

Toyota is known for puuting different numbers on identical parts sometimes.

[2rivers]

INteresting. There is debate about this - 2L - 3L head casting differences on other forums. I replaced mine with Allhead supplied 3L head and everything needed for the swap over: gaskets, bolts, seals, thermo, bleed kit, and their "upgraded" waterpump. The vehicle has run great since we found the air leak in fuel system causing rough starts. Performance w/3L head is same as "before" the 2L head calved out. I can tell you this for sure: the original head that come off the early 2lte face (pre 93?) is visibly thinner between the valves than the 3L - unfortunatley I did not compare the 3L head to a "upgraded" 2L head you will get when you oder one from Toyota here (if you decide to do so). I THINK there may be an upgrade in the replacement 2L head in around 93 - but this hasnt been confirmed (by Toyota) - you will notice on the EPC there is a switchup in part #'s around then.

I went with Allhead casue they deal with this stuff everyday. It arrived in a week. I also know of a great source in NZ that sells a complete head (with cam set up) - it is a true bolt-on replacement. The exchange rate is fantasitc right now (for us) PM if intereested.

HTH
JOhnny

[saskdiesel]

My Surf had the Toyota replacement head installed. No issues at all after the install. And Toyota had it in stock!
This head is updated over the early versions with more material between the valve seats where they crack.

[lts2000ds]

For those of you with the vehicles already and having problems there is a Guru of rebuilding Toyota heads in Summerland B.C. He can fix up the existing head for I believe around $800.00 but don't quote me on that one. If anyone wants his name and number I will get the info and post it here as soon as I can.

[crushers]

a couple interesting points:

the new 2LT/2LTE heads are $825 from Toyota (shop around)...

everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it is wrong. the secret is to shop around for an importer that warranties their product, a 30 day warranty is a joke which is what most dealers are offering.

JDM junk? if you feel this way then you are one of those that likes to live with high milage rusted or refurbished bodies with no options.

each to their own.

cheers

[justintilson]

I'm looking at purchasing a Toyota Hilux Surf and would love some more info on the"Guru of rebuilding Toyota heads in Summerland B.C". I'm hoping to run it on biodiesel and install the PlantDrive kit. Please share any advice experience that can keep me out of trouble!

Thx
Justin

[st1age]

Does that Hilux have the 2lte engine? If so, avoid it like the plague...

I have the 2lte engine with all it's headaches.

[lizardsinep]

If you can hold on for awhile the 93's should be coming over with the KZ motors , seems too be "less" head problems with those motors .

[prado t]

Ah I really liked my Prado. It came with the 3l head on it from Japan. I put some very hard miles on it . Sure it got very warm a couple of times on some very long hills. I geared down and let people pass me. Did lots of Off-Roading with it In the Cruiser club. The only problem I had with it was with TPS (throttle position sensor). It did very well until it got stolen.

[UpsideDown]

Generally, I would not recommend you use veggie oil in your rotary pump. I have seen several different systems in my shop lately and they have each had interesting issues relating to the use of high concentrations of bio or using veggie oil.

An inline pump would be much better for use with veggie, and you should use a pre-cup engine instead of a DI engine.

Factor in the cost of a new head (and related parts) with the cost of a Surf.

Originally Posted by justintilson

I'm looking at purchasing a Toyota Hilux Surf and would love some more info on the"Guru of rebuilding Toyota heads in Summerland B.C". I'm hoping to run it on biodiesel and install the PlantDrive kit. Please share any advice experience that can keep me out of trouble!

Thx
Justin

[gbcruiser]

My bro-in-law has the Prado 2.4 in Japan right now with all the overheating head problems. He took it to a Japanese shade-tree mechanic who told him it wasn't his head, but the cooling system. Apparently, it's a very complicated system to bleed/fill properly and most mechanics don't, thus all the overheating problems and thus all the extra cash for dealers etc. who replace the heads whether they need it or not.

Anyway, my bro had this guy bleed his cooling system, and since then, no overheating or 'head' problems whatsoever. That was almost two years ago now...

With the problems with the 2.4 'Yota diesels, I'm surprised more people aren't buying Isuzu diesels from Japan: Wizards, MU's, Bighorns, Tuff pickups etc. The 2.8 TDi that came with 'em is a rock solid smaller-displacement diesel. Just as the guys in Oz and Newz...

[kkriese]

I got the replacement upgraded head from 4wheelauto. After over one year, and some modifications to address heating (increase boost, 2.5 inch exhaust) no issues and even driven hard I have moderate EGT's (less than 1250) and low water temps (never over 210). They stock all the required gaskets. I replaced the water pump while I was in there.

[UpsideDown]

I was asked to post some more information on why I suggested that an inline injection pump is superior to a rotary pump for use with veggie oil or bio.

I do not want to hijack this thread, but just say that there should be some good reading in the alternative fuels section of the site. Please do your own research on this topic... I have my opinions, others may differ.

[gerardo]

I am new in all this,but the fellow I bought from told me that they wil do it.

mechanics phone number 604-782-8667,his name Abdul.
in surrey,bc.
good luck gerardo

[canucksafari]

Originally Posted by gerardo

I am new in all this,but the fellow I bought from told me that they wil do it.

mechanics phone number 604-782-8667,his name Abdul.
in surrey,bc.
good luck gerardo

Would that be Silk Roads Auto's "Abdul"? They have a shop now? I know they have been selling the Prados. Have they been fixing them free of charge. Last I spoke with Karim (his brother), they were blaming the head failures on the lack of Canadian small diesel driving know how. In part they are right. People have been buying the Prados because they are cheaper. They have no understanding of EGTs and try to run up the Coq at 120 km/hr. The other part is that the head is just plain defective. I'd be interested to hear if they now agree that the head is defective. That could cost them a pile of cash.

[roscoFJ73]

Originally Posted by st1age

Does that Hilux have the 2lte engine? If so, avoid it like the plague...

I have the 2lte engine with all it's headaches.

No ,well not the aussie models anyway. They had the 2L(No turbo)