Had my cruiser checked out by Mcintosh Imports

bphilips09 · 12-09-08, 08:28 PM

Met with Terri this morning and had him do a bumper to bumper evaluation. I'll def. be doing business with them again, very honest and took the time to explain everything to me so I could understand (I would barely consider myself mechanically inclined).

Found a few issues that kind of made me wish I had a mechanic look at everything before I signed the bill of sale

.

Good news:

Little, to no rust, good body and frame
Suspension up to par
Brakes are good
Overall, good quality
Most issue on his page and half evaluation are simple, quick fixes even I could do (brake light, replace wheel bearings..)

Bad news

Front Birfields starting to leak. I told him I want to do the mini truck axle swap for the disc brakes. I'll be fine for awhile.
Ignition points worn
Blown Head Gasket

I asked that he do a compression test and here are the figures:

1 - 150
2 - 130
3 - 130
4 - 125
5 - 115
6 - 155

SO next thing I guess I'll be doing is having him fix the head. He said he watched a bubble of air move the whole length of the head along the gasket back to the last cylinder. Should I have him do a leak test also?

I want any and all issues resolved if the head is pulled...valves, springs, pins. What do you guys think?

dbenke · 12-09-08, 08:49 PM

Head Gasket is not a huge deal. I've done quite a few. However, I would go ahead and re-do the valves while it was off. You could have a wet test done to check the rings.
Points are always worn, from the time they are installed. Always a maintence issue. A DUI distributer is always a good thing. Also check to see if the dist. is worn. I've seen them worn enough that the points could go from way open to closed by moving the shaft w/ your hand.
Don't worry about the small mechanical stuff, that's why we have HAMONS
Drive it for now and make a list of what to do and what order.
It may seem like a lot, but it'll get done.

bphilips09 · 12-09-08, 09:05 PM

Thanks man, I appreciate all your help. The electrical part of the engine confuses me, but I've been studying what I can find and know more today than I did yesterday.

Terri is going to get me a quote on doing the head gasket repair which will include milling the head.

Anyone want to give me a price range I should expect? How much more for the valve job?

Also, how does a wet test work?

dbenke · 12-09-08, 09:33 PM

I've been out of the business too long to know prices anymore. Post what he wants and I can tell you if it is out of line (maybe).
A wet test is a compression test with a little oil squirted in the top of the cylinder. It will temporily seal the rings. If the compression changes, the rings are worn.

ocdbeetle · 12-10-08, 08:20 PM

Hope the quote isnt too bad...Despite the head gasket and points, how is it running? Did you suspect the engine might need some work?

bphilips09 · 12-11-08, 01:59 PM

High level quote is $800

$50 - gasket
$100ish - machine shop fee for the head
$630 - labor

Kind of what I expected, I asked about the valve job and he asked if the cruiser smokes (which it doesn't), he didn't feel it was necessary.

I think i'm going to skip the parade, not sure about those low speeds and getting the block too warm.

Thoughts on the quote?

ocdbeetle · 12-11-08, 04:09 PM

I'd have to try it myself for 6 bills in labor..I'm not the best at mechanics but with the manual and the IH8mud forum I'd try it........ I hate you're not going to the parade....I was looking forward to seeing your ride....Maybe next time.....

How was it running when you bought it?

bphilips09 · 12-11-08, 04:56 PM

To me, I think the cruiser runs well, it has an aftermarket temp gauge and it's never been above 180. I might swing by before the parade and say hi to everyone in the club. I think I'll hold off thou driving in the parade where the engine would have a more likely chance of over heating.

Brock · 12-11-08, 05:07 PM

my son in law is a machinist and he and his father have their own shop on Hwy17.....they do everything from hot rods to offroad vehicles to million dollar bugati race cars.

if you want i can pass your info to him.....head gasket should be no problem once head is machined.....save yourself the labor at least except for machine work.

his name is Andy Streets...just let me know if you want to run it by him. PM me your number...and will pass it to him.

If it is not overheating now....then suspect it is likely okay but you are welcome to come and hang with us and sure you can ride with one of the others. My wife will be with me and no offense but would rather squeeze her leg going down street wearing my santa hat with the grinch on top....than yours.

bphilips09 · 12-11-08, 06:10 PM

Thanks for the help...PM sent.

I'm glad you feel that way about me riding shotgun in your cruiser. By any chance do we have a 20 something/college sorority girl/bikini model who owns a cruiser in our club?? I would like to see if I could ride with her in the parade.

Brock · 12-11-08, 06:37 PM

No, I think we need to recruit a couple Land Cruiser strippers....ooops did I say that outloud?

dbenke · 12-11-08, 07:42 PM

I heard it from here
You can always ride w/ someone, I may (or may not) have a passenger, but in the 62 there's plenty of room.
I would have to do the head gasket myself too. But I also have all the tools. It's really not a hard job, though. Might need some help getting it lined up going back together.

mooker82 · 12-11-08, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocdbeetle

I'd have to try it myself for 6 bills in labor..I'm not the best at mechanics but with the manual and the IH8mud forum I'd try it........ I hate you're not going to the parade....I was looking forward to seeing your ride....Maybe next time.....

How was it running when you bought it?

X2 on doing it myself. Get the head work done professionally and tear into the engine yourself. A 2F is simple to work on.

My major concern would be what the rest of the motor looks like. Do you have any water in the oil? If the engine has had a bad head gasket for a while there may be more problems. Not trying to be a downer. Good luck and see everyone on Sunday!

IndianDoc · 12-12-08, 01:02 AM

love this forum head work strippers and a parade. Can we say nice dream whoa

wrong. As of last note doc has struck out so I will have room for any one in Dbenke's/Doc 62. So anyone wanting to ride just come on down.

LoveTractor · 12-12-08, 10:32 AM

I have IdahoDoug's head gasket howto DVD for the 80 series if you wanna borrow it. Might give you a grasp of what a head gasket job entails.
Got it just in case mine ever blew and he wasn't offering it when/if it ever did. Let me know.

dbenke · 12-12-08, 06:34 PM

There's a whole lot more to a head gasket on an 80 series than on a 2F. Don't want to scare him, lovetractor.

Brock · 12-14-08, 10:36 AM

I will get my son in laws number to pass to you this week...he said he would do it but you guys will have to discuss the price and such. His dad and him have a shop off 17 in West Ashley they work in at night and weekend.

71-CRUISER · 12-15-08, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bphilips09

I asked about the valve job and he asked if the cruiser smokes (which it doesn't), he didn't feel it was necessary.

DO NOT have him pull the head off without doing the valves aty the same time. A complete head rebuild should be no more than $400. And that is if they have to replace all of your valves.

I would be willing to bet that at least a couple of your valves are toast.

The rest of the numbers look fair to me but we wont even do a head gasket job without rebuilding the head at the same time.

eventhough · 12-16-08, 05:42 PM

Listen to Michael - he knows his stuff and is rebuilding a complete 2F for me right now. He is the only guy I trusted in the area.

bphilips09 · 12-16-08, 06:36 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. Brock, I appreciate you giving my info to your son-in-law.

If you talk with him, please have him contact me ASAP. I'm being cautious and not driving the cruiser and hate it.

Thanks again to everyone, can't wait to meet you guys and see some of the local rigs.

Brock · 12-16-08, 06:54 PM

PM me your phone number and will give it to him....i talked to him tonight and he said he would do the work for you if you wanted.

Trollhole · 12-18-08, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bphilips09

Met with Terri this morning and had him do a bumper to bumper evaluation. I'll def. be doing business with them again, very honest and took the time to explain everything to me so I could understand (I would barely consider myself mechanically inclined).

Found a few issues that kind of made me wish I had a mechanic look at everything before I signed the bill of sale

.

Good news:

Little, to no rust, good body and frame
Suspension up to par
Brakes are good
Overall, good quality
Most issue on his page and half evaluation are simple, quick fixes even I could do (brake light, replace wheel bearings..)

Bad news

Front Birfields starting to leak. I told him I want to do the mini truck axle swap for the disc brakes. I'll be fine for awhile.
Ignition points worn
Blown Head Gasket

I asked that he do a compression test and here are the figures:

1 - 150
2 - 130
3 - 130
4 - 125
5 - 115
6 - 155

SO next thing I guess I'll be doing is having him fix the head. He said he watched a bubble of air move the whole length of the head along the gasket back to the last cylinder. Should I have him do a leak test also?

I want any and all issues resolved if the head is pulled...valves, springs, pins. What do you guys think?

Well it's not a big leak. 115 is not that bad but running on a blown headgasket is not healthy.

How about a second opinion? Why not check the compression yourself? Go buy a compression tester from Northern or Harbor freight. Say $30. Unhook the coil wire. Take out a spark plug and screw in the tester. Open the butterflies on the carb ( have someone press the gas pedal all the way down and then insert a long screwdriver to hold them open) Then crank the motor over 4 to 5 times and read and record. All the way fron to back.

It's not hard and goes a long way in knowing the condition of the engine.

I'm not saying the first opion is wrong but it's always nice to have a second.

Trollhole · 12-18-08, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bphilips09

High level quote is $800

$50 - gasket
$100ish - machine shop fee for the head
$630 - labor

Kind of what I expected, I asked about the valve job and he asked if the cruiser smokes (which it doesn't), he didn't feel it was necessary.

I think i'm going to skip the parade, not sure about those low speeds and getting the block too warm.

Thoughts on the quote?

As Micheal has stated. If your pulling the head off. Have the valves done. Including new stem seals.

That being said I'd have it shaved, new seals, valves done, have springs checked and shimmed, have it checked for cracks (magnafluxed) and have a Toyota head gasket and manifold gasket put on it.

Also while it's off have the machine shop redo the oil galley plug.

It's more money than your looking at but it's going to be a quality product.

What's the year and history of the cruiser? How many miles?

bphilips09 · 12-24-08, 03:40 PM

She'll be going in the shop first week or so in January. I'll make sure the valves are done as well.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

Brock · 12-24-08, 08:05 PM

Good luck

informationjunky · 12-29-08, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollhole

As Micheal has stated. If your pulling the head off. Have the valves done. Including new stem seals.

That being said I'd have it shaved, new seals, valves done, have springs checked and shimmed, have it checked for cracks (magnafluxed) and have a Toyota head gasket and manifold gasket put on it.

Also while it's off have the machine shop redo the oil galley plug.

It's more money than your looking at but it's going to be a quality product.

What's the year and history of the cruiser? How many miles?

X2 what was the determination that the gasket is blown? For a dry test the numbers don't look tooo bad. FYI, you can uses a compression tester to pressurize each cylinder to see if air is leaking out the valves (air coming out carb or exauste) or bubbles in radiator (head gasket). If its running good, not overheating, no coolant in oil...IMHO I would ajust the valves and drive it as is.

bphilips09 · 12-29-08, 05:48 PM

He saw a bubble of air move down the head along the gasket.

informationjunky · 12-29-08, 07:48 PM

Low #5's typically seem to be an exhaust valve. I may be stubborn but I don't get a blown head gasket from a bubble running along the head... IMHO see if you can have a club member in the area help you run a compression check again ( wet and dry, valves adjusted properly, engine warm, all plugs out, good battery, etc).