1987 FJ60 (Engine Help/Question) (1 Viewer)

[POWFJ60]

I have a 1987 FJ60 4 Speed Manual. I'm in Colorado. Overheated on Sunday. Thought it was the Thermostat (which it was - stuck) but turns out after they did the Combustion Test it was confirmed the Head Gasket is blown. Jasper apparently doesn't made 1987, 4.2 Engines anymore. The only place that does is only warranties a new engine for 12 months (wild)

Cost of the Engine quoted is $5075, $500 to ship. 19 hours of labor for a total of $10,280.

My question: Should I just replace the Head Gaskets and look around for an engine somewhere else....or sell it?

Trying to debate smartest option. Truck picture below is from Sunday. Thanks for your input.

 

[kirvesmies]

Change it yourself, the head gasket. One overheat session shouldn't have taken that engine to total rebuild. Curious, how many miles on it?

 

[mrboatman]

Agree Just replace the head gasket and don’t look back and enjoy going forward

 

[DFXR]

Agree with the above. If you've got a driveway and basic tools, replacing an HG is not too bad. It's work, but when you get down to it it's mostly just unbolting/bolting. This forum will have all the answers you need.

If you want to pay a shop to do the HG, that's cool too. It won't be cheap, but it def won't be $10k.

 

[POWFJ60]

Appreciate everyone's input and this was my line of thinking. 178k on it. I bought it with 32k on it.
Very little rust. Been a great truck. Regularly run from Steamboat to Bozeman. Didn't want to ruin integrity of truck with an LS install.

 

[bcolvin]

Dang, I would just go for the head gasket. I’m in steamboat as well and could lend a hand .

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Appreciate everyone's input and this was my line of thinking. 178k on it. I bought it with 32k on it.
Very little rust. Been a great truck. Regularly run from Steamboat to Bozeman. Didn't want to ruin integrity of truck with an LS install.

Not everything needs an ls swap

 

[kirvesmies]

@POWFJ60 , there ya go mister, get after it

 

[yotadude520]

Just swap the head gasket. I had an old 1980 pickup with a 20R that overheated when I blew the head gasket. I took the whole head off with the intake still attached, slapped a new head gasket on and it's still running around 7 years later. I didn't clean the top of the head or anything as I didn't know any better, so moral of the story is these engines are pretty robust and you should be fine.

 

[Godwin]

If you do decide to replace the head gasket yourself once you have the head off take it to a shop and have it checked for cracks, resurfaced, and a valve job.

 

[Pighead]

If you do decide to replace the head gasket yourself once you have the head off take it to a shop and have it checked for cracks, resurfaced, and a valve job.

Concur. Valve job is just routine maintenance. Maybe shave the bottom just a hair for a little better compression, which helps at altitude. Take your manifolds too, have the mating surfaces trued. While the manifolds and head are there, probably should port match them too. Traditionally, you could get chevy valves put in to a F head, don't know if it works for your head. I even got some LS valves so I sorta did a very small LS swap. They were having trouble finding some LandCruiser valves when i got my valve job, 2 yrs ago or so.
Doing your own head gasket is another of those Rite of Passage things, like knuckles. Just heavier and more expensive. You'll probably need some new tools, and you'll be saving a fortune over shop rates. You can do it right with 'Mud looking over your shoulder.
Use only a genuine OEM Toyota head gasket. Rest of the gasket kit doesn't matter so much, but the Toyota head gasket is vastly superior to any aftermarket.