1991 FJ80 Project! (1 Viewer)

[ToyotaGuy2003]

Hey everyone!
Long time lurker on mud, Got my hands on a super cheap 80 series (1991) With a bad motor. It has a nice view port in the side of the block and a good gash in the oil pan. Lady sold it with a second engine waiting to be swapped. Long story short, i have gone over the other engine and am preparing to pull the current motor and swap it! Being that the motor currently in it is seized I likely cant spin the torque converter to access each bolt. I was really hoping to be able to remove just the engine. I have turned my own wrenches on my own older 4Runner's, but never pulled an engine before.
Would love to get some insight from those who have worked on these rigs.
I have heard that there is a peek plate on the transmission tunnel you can remove to gain access to the bellhousing bolts. Unsure as i haven't yet looked.
Theoretically (and correct me if I'm wrong) if i can get all the bellhousing bolts off the TC "Should" (key word) Slide off with the motor, correct?

Wasn't able to find much online, However i did get my hands on a factory service guide. The only downside is Toyota only shows the removal of the whole assy (engine + trans) And i feel that is unnecessary for what i am doing. I Realize it might be easier to line up the transmission and engine outside of the vehicle but luckily i will have a few sets of hands to assist int the removal/install process.

Any help is greatly Appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[brunjc2]

Several years ago I purchased a ‘92 that threw a rod (cyl 5) which sheared the cam, and the crank would only turn a small amount. I was able to pull the motor, including the torque converter, and separate the converter from the flex plate out of the vehicle. I forgot exactly the process, it was a pain, but doable. So to answer your question, yes absolutely doable.

 

[Broski]

Pull the grill, radiator and radiator support so she’ll come straight out.
A little extra work that will make it a lot easier.

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

Several years ago I purchased a ‘92 that threw a rod (cyl 5) which sheared the cam, and the crank would only turn a small amount. I was able to pull the motor, including the torque converter, and separate the converter from the flex plate out of the vehicle. I forgot exactly the process, it was a pain, but doable. So to answer your question, yes absolutely doable.

good to know. Thank you for the input

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

Pull the grill, radiator and radiator support so she’ll come straight out.
A little extra work that will make it a lot easier.

Yeah, I was leaning towards doing it that way. I know the 3fe has a lift point at the front of the engine. Any suggestion where i should attach the chain for when i pull it? Don't want it sitting uneven when i try to separate it from the trans.

 

[Broski]

Yeah, I was leaning towards doing it that way. I know the 3fe has a lift point at the front of the engine. Any suggestion where i should attach the chain for when i pull it? Don't want it sitting uneven when i try to separate it from the trans.

Sorry I can’t help with that.
My guess would be an intake bolt near the back.

 

[alia176]

Given the age of this vehicle, I'd pull the whole shebang drivetrain out of the car then spend weeks working on it in a comfortable manner. There's no such thing as "Imma just gonna do an engine swap" with these rigs. Like Brosky said above, remove everything from the front, then rent/borrow a substantial engine hoist and pull the engine+tcase+tranny all in one shot. Separate everything apart, replace all input/output seals, do other stuff "while you're in there". I bet there are some oil leaks to take care of and a fair amount of degreasing will be required. Make your list and order stuff from a japan based parts dealer, like this one for instance: Genuine Japanese Car Part Imports - Amayama - https://www.amayama.com/en

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

Given the age of this vehicle, I'd pull the whole shebang drivetrain out of the car then spend weeks working on it in a comfortable manner. There's no such thing as "Imma just gonna do an engine swap" with these rigs. Like Brosky said above, remove everything from the front, then rent/borrow a substantial engine hoist and pull the engine+tcase+tranny all in one shot. Separate everything apart, replace all input/output seals, do other stuff "while you're in there". I bet there are some oil leaks to take care of and a fair amount of degreasing will be required. Make your list and order stuff from a japan based parts dealer, like this one for instance: Genuine Japanese Car Part Imports - Amayama - https://www.amayama.com/en

I Wish i could dedicate more than a few days per month to my project, but at the moment that's all i can do. That being the case I am attempting to consolidate and move efficiently. I Have some tires on standby incase removing the engine alone does not go to plan. Worst comes to worst I will just remove both

 

[alia176]

Life beckons, I get it.

 

[YMT]

3FE does have a peek plate, at least my 91 does

I swapped engines with the trans and t-case still in the vehicle, however, I was able to spin the crank.

That said, the advice of pulling the engine, trans, and t-case is better. Plenty of while-you're-in-there maintenance needed.

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

Alright, After a weekend of work (28 hours total) had some friends over , we pulled the whole Assy (engine and trans) And separated them outside the vehicle. ended up having to pull the head off the old engine to remove piston #1 (blew the con-rod cap off the bottom and wedged itself at TDC) The piston was jamming the crank only allowing for maybe 5 degrees of movement. Once free we were able to spin it over and remove TC/Flywheel. Everything bolted up easy with the new engine and we got it all installed. Waiting to get a new Condenser, Alternator and a few odds and ends. otherwise it went pretty smooth!

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

3FE does have a peek plate, at least my 91 does

I swapped engines with the trans and t-case still in the vehicle, however, I was able to spin the crank.

That said, the advice of pulling the engine, trans, and t-case is better. Plenty of while-you're-in-there maintenance needed.

I used the peek plate to pull the TC bolts once we were able to get the motor to turn over. I plan on posting some carnage pics of the old block lol

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

3FE does have a peek plate, at least my 91 does

I swapped engines with the trans and t-case still in the vehicle, however, I was able to spin the crank.

That said, the advice of pulling the engine, trans, and t-case is better. Plenty of while-you're-in-there maintenance needed.

Yeah, In my case i just had to pull both. No way i was going to gain access without pulling the engine apart outside the vehicle. Since i had freshly done-up the "new" engine it was pretty much ready to go, Checked under and cleaned up the transmission while i had it out

 

[D21FJ60]

Where in VA are you located? That thing has been sitting forever...last inspection was in 2009

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

Where in VA are you located? That thing has been sitting forever...last inspection was in 2009

Located in /around Chester. When I found this 80 series for sale it was sitting in a field in Fredericksburg

 

[D21FJ60]

Nice, Fburg isn't too far from me.
Willing to divulge how much you paid?

 

[ToyotaGuy2003]

Nice, Fburg isn't too far from me.
Willing to divulge how much you paid?

For sure! All in, $1,500 for Vehicle+ Replacement engine. Had to tow away (for obvious reasons) but absolutely a deal of a lifetime.

 

[D21FJ60]

Not terrible, about going rate these days

 

[Broski]

Show us one add for a $1500.00 Land Cruiser 80 running or not !

Not going to happen

 

[D21FJ60]

Show us one add for a $1500.00 Land Cruiser 80 running or not !

Not going to happen

I'm dumb- was trying to do two things at one (phone and mud- which is more important)
I was thinking $1500 going rate for non running cars, not necessarily cruisers.
Duhr.