Source for 2H pistons?

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vwluv10338

vwluv10338

Joined
Nov 14, 2010
Threads
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Location
Annapolis MD USA
I will know more next week when inherent ahold of a diesel compression tester but I may need new pistons in my 2H due to low compression on #1. Maybe it's just a stuck ring but my research shows engines with similar problems end up having the ring lands beaten out of spec.
I am planing on a turbo so I thought this is a good time to upgrade. I have heard some Australian guys mention pistons with steel inserts under the compression ring and they call them "turbo pistons". However I can't find any online. I have heard people mention Armor Pistons but I can not find a website or much info on them. Anyone have any names or links I can checkout?


EDIT: Cycl 1 is dead. The person I bought the truck from said the smoke on startup was cured. I guess the warmer southern weather makes a difference. When I start it here at 32F is smokes like a champ. In the for sale thread where he bought it they mentioned #1 was a little low but not enough to rebuild. Well I bought a Harbor Freight compression tester and found cycl #1 is at 200 psi hot. I drove it home on the highway from the store with the water temp at 190F and then ran the test. I cant believe it doesnt smoke more. Cycl #2 measured about 460psi. I added oil to #1 and it went up to 360psi. So now it sounds like I will have to tear into it.

Update @ post #23 Pulled the head and added pics.
 
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try 4 wheel auto. 4wheelauto.com

Alfin pistons are probably the way to go from what I have read, but I am not an expert.
 
Where are you located? That might help recommend a source. If you are going to go to the bother of pistons, then you might as well do a full rebuild. It'll likely be cheaper in the long run.

Cruiser_guy had a source in Australia that put together a quality rebuild kit. Roodog is also known for putting together decent rebuild kits.

In BC, you have a number of retailers active here on MUD who may be able to help you out - like John at Radd Cruisers.

When you start adding up the numbers for an engine rebuild plus a turbo, you may find it much cheaper to just buy a JDM 12HT and install it. In that case Dave at Japan4x4 would be a good source.
 
I have a rebuild kit in stock for the 2H with 1st oversize pistons.

But since I don't know your location, I can't be of too much help.


~John
 
canucksafari said:
Where are you located? That might help recommend a source. If you are going to go to the bother of pistons, then you might as well do a full rebuild. It'll likely be cheaper in the long run.

Cruiser_guy had a source in Australia that put together a quality rebuild kit. Roodog is also known for putting together decent rebuild kits.

In BC, you have a number of retailers active here on MUD who may be able to help you out - like John at Radd Cruisers.

When you start adding up the numbers for an engine rebuild plus a turbo, you may find it much cheaper to just buy a JDM 12HT and install it. In that case Dave at Japan4x4 would be a good source.
Click to expand...

Well I will know more once I get the compression tester but I believe two owners ago it was known there was a slightly out of spec cyclinder. I am hoping its just stuck rings. I may not even replace the pistons but if I have to tear it apart and see. As far at a 12HT I dont have $8k for just an engine. I just bought this truck and it shouldnt need a full rebuild for just 1 minute of misfires when cold due to compression. I plan on just adding parts to this when I have the time and money. I may even do my own turbo kit, I havent decided yet.

Radd Cruisers said:
I have a rebuild kit in stock for the 2H with 1st oversize pistons.

But since I don't know your location, I can't be of too much help.


~John
Click to expand...

I thought about calling you guys but I do not like bothering merchants if I am not ready to buy. I was just hoping to find some websites that I could browse through and see some prices. Do you have any standard bore pistons? Either in stock or SOP? Prices? You can drop me a PM because what I really need now is a rear engine mount (trans mount). I have an H55 with my swap using what I guess is an HJ60/FJ60 crossmember. thanks.


P.S. I added my location to my profile. Annapolis MD USA
 
Google "toyota Lift" for your area....They are the forklift division of toyota.. there are LOTS of Toyota diesel forklifts here in the US..They had no problem finding me anything I needed
 
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I think you will find that just replacing one piston will not be a solution or cheaper in the long run. I've known people, myself included, that just rebuilt the top end of an engine only to have to do the bottom end a year or so later. But like you said, you will only know when it is properly checked out. A compression test will show problems, a leak down test will help you identify where they are. Don't just assume it is the rings.
 
vwluv10338 said:
I thought about calling you guys but I do not like bothering merchants if I am not ready to buy. I was just hoping to find some websites that I could browse through and see some prices. Do you have any standard bore pistons? Either in stock or SOP? Prices? You can drop me a PM because what I really need now is a rear engine mount (trans mount). I have an H55 with my swap using what I guess is an HJ60/FJ60 crossmember. thanks.


P.S. I added my location to my profile. Annapolis MD USA
Click to expand...

Thank you for adding your location.

I have one kit left in stock with 1st oversize Alfin pistons.

With a 2H it's going to be degraded ring lands if it has any kind of mileage on it.

If you think it's stuck rings, pull the glow plugs and put in 60 mls or so (2 oz.) of something like Seafoam and let it sit for a few days. Once you're done, put LOTS of rags over the glow plug holes and spin the engine over. Re-install glow plugs and get ready for lots of smoke while the Seafoam burns off. Warm up your engine and see if it's any better - if not, it's time to check the pistons.


~John
 
If you think it's stuck rings, pull the glow plugs and put in 60 mls or so (2 oz.) of something like Seafoam and let it sit for a few days. Once you're done, put LOTS of rags over the glow plug holes and spin the engine over. Re-install glow plugs and get ready for lots of smoke while the Seafoam burns off. Warm up your engine and see if it's any better - if not, it's time to check the pistons.


~John
Click to expand...

John...would it be common practice to do an oil change after performing the above recommended seafoam 2day piston ring soak? We had a chat about this seafoam idea a while ago over the phone and i forgot to ask. I would think yes.

thanks,
Phil
 
RisingSunLCS said:
John...would it be common practice to do an oil change after performing the above recommended seafoam 2day piston ring soak? We had a chat about this seafoam idea a while ago over the phone and i forgot to ask. I would think yes.

thanks,
Phil
Click to expand...

Probably a good idea - put the rest of the seafoam into the crankcase and run it up to temperature (15 minutes) then drain.


~John
 
Radd Cruisers said:
Thank you for adding your location.

I have one kit left in stock with 1st oversize Alfin pistons.

With a 2H it's going to be degraded ring lands if it has any kind of mileage on it.

If you think it's stuck rings, pull the glow plugs and put in 60 mls or so (2 oz.) of something like Seafoam and let it sit for a few days. Once you're done, put LOTS of rags over the glow plug holes and spin the engine over. Re-install glow plugs and get ready for lots of smoke while the Seafoam burns off. Warm up your engine and see if it's any better - if not, it's time to check the pistons.


~John
Click to expand...

The Seafoam is first on my list. I have a can but I am waiting till next week to borrow a compression tester. I will do the test and then set the Seafoam while I have the glowplugs out. If it doesnt work then I will pull the head and the pan and pop out the pistons to take a look.

Email inbound about the trans mount.
 
UPDATE:
I did the Seafoam last weekend. No change. I bought a compression tester today and found cycl #1 is dead. However, last weekend I only had a few hours to let the Seafoam soak. I have it soaking now and will leave it till this weekend I guess and recheck the compression.

I added an update to the 1st post

EDIT: Cycl 1 is dead. The person I bought the truck from said the smoke on startup was cured. I guess the warmer southern weather makes a difference. When I start it here at 32F is smokes like a champ. In the for sale thread where he bought it they mentioned #1 was a little low but not enough to rebuild. Well I bought a Harbor Freight compression tester and found cycl #1 is at 200 psi hot. I drove it home on the highway from the store with the water temp at 190F and then ran the test. I cant believe it doesnt smoke more. Cycl #2 measured about 460psi. I added oil to #1 and it went up to 360psi. So now it sounds like I will have to tear into it.
 
canucksafari said:
12HT :cool:. You won't regret it.
Click to expand...

I don't have $12,000 for an engine to put into a Cruiser I just paid $8,000 for because it allready had a diesel. Sure I would have loved a factory turbo setup but I just didnt want to spend the money. The FJ60 in the FS section with the 12H I believe is awesome but its $35,000. I think thats a deal but I was trying to spend less than $10k.

I can most likely stick in a set pistons and roll but I do want to go turbo eventually. Therefore I would be best suited to get Alfin pistion which do not come in standard bore. I dont want to have to pull this engine to go to a machine shop just because the ring lands are beat. This is exactly where I think I am https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tec...2249-stuck-piston-ring-diagnostic-help-h.html
 
vwluv10338 said:
I don't have $12,000 for an engine to put into a Cruiser I just paid $8,000 for because it allready had a diesel. Sure I would have loved a factory turbo setup but I just didnt want to spend the money. The FJ60 in the FS section with the 12H I believe is awesome but its $35,000. I think thats a deal but I was trying to spend less than $10k.

I can most likely stick in a set pistons and roll but I do want to go turbo eventually. Therefore I would be best suited to get Alfin pistion which do not come in standard bore. I dont want to have to pull this engine to go to a machine shop just because the ring lands are beat. This is exactly where I think I am https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tec...2249-stuck-piston-ring-diagnostic-help-h.html
Click to expand...

Perhaps - perhaps not.

I don't know where you get your $12K number from? I don't think I ever saw a 12HT go for $12k. From my limited experience, once you start tearing an engine apart, you will find more and more things that have to be done or deal with another engine failure soon. Add in your eventual turbo and you may find your final costs well over $6K.

Just in case you are interested... https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-jdm-parts/459806-12ht-auto-trans-tranfer-optional-cable-lockers.html

Sometimes 2Hs come up at a good price too... https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-jdm-parts/438052-85-2h-198-000-km.html
 
Believe me. I was watching that 85 2H engine that was for sale. However, I wasnt sure what was wrong with my engine till now. I just checked it more seriously and its sold.

I don't know about the 12HT, I was thinking about this: 1HDT Specter Off-Road Land Cruiser Parts - Page 035 Land Cruiser Engines for $11K

I looked at that 12HT link. I just can't swing $6K. I know in Canada 2Hs are no big deal but I just payed a lot of money for this truck and it seems I got screwed some. I appreciate the 12HT is better but I cant do it. Maybe I should have found a rust free FJ60 in texas and then bought this engine but I would still be looking at $10K. I was hoping to buy this truck for $8k and be able to drive it and save for a turbo. I will know more when I get into the engine but when reading RufusTheDufus's thread it seems he got away with new pistons, rings and a hone. That is what I am hoping to do.
The day after I committed to buying this rig I found out I am going to be a father. I felt bad buying a truck I didnt need and spending money I shouldnt but I did it anyway. Well here I am. This just makes things worse.
 
I was looking at Specters prices , s*** I had to close the page, that is Landcruiser robbery!
 
I am sorry to hear you got screwed on this purchase. People really do need to take some time and do their research. Diesels are not cheap to buy or fix - even more so with a Land Cruiser diesel. However, if you take your time and do your research (combined with a little due diligence and luck), then you can get some good deals. For the long term, I suggest you keep an eye on Criagslist in Canada. Whole HJ60s come up for well under $2000. Usually the body and frame are completely rusted but the drive-train will be fine. Having a parts vehicle (or two) can save you a lot of money in the long run and reduce your down time when something needs replacing.
 
Radd Cruisers said:
Yes, Alfin pistons come in standard sizes.

I can bring them into stock easily.

~John
Click to expand...

Sweet, John that is the best news I have heard all day. I read in another thread that someone had contacted places in AU and couldnt find any in standard bore. Email imbound.

Hopefully I will be pulling the head tomorrow.
 
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