2F engine rebuild?

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gregnash

gregnash

Anal Retentive Analyst
10 Year
Joined
Nov 3, 2011
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Location
Carson City, NV
OK all, so I had another mud member contact me about possibly selling me one of his project cruisers... it is in good condition except for the fact the he says he believes the engine needs rebuild. I believe him in this but I have not gotten a chance to talk to him at length about it. He was originally planning on dropping a 3FE into the cruiser (has everything already) but then came across another cruiser (that he grabbed) that has super low mileage but the body/frame are just about toast and thought about swapping that..

Anyways, long story short... if I were to pick this up and the engine did need a rebuild what am I looking at getting myself into? I bike to work most days so the cruiser being down, say over the summer, would not be a huge deal. But anything longer than that and the :princess: would not be happy with me.

I have worked on engines before but I have never taken one apart, I consider myself intelligent and somewhat mechanically inclined but I am on a tight budget and with your guys help I am sure I could accomplish what is needed.

So thoughts? :steer:
Thanks in advance
 
Rebuilding the engine is not difficult. Parts and machine work are going to cost $1500-2000. You could always pick up the truck and install a 2F runner for half that much (or less) and then rebuild the original engine as time and money allow.
 
spotcruiser said:
Rebuilding the engine is not difficult. Parts and machine work are going to cost $1500-2000. You could always pick up the truck and install a 2F runner for half that much (or less) and then rebuild the original engine as time and money allow.
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That's a very low estimate. I would count on double that or more unless you pull the motor, assemble the new motor, and re-install yourself.

A worthy project though, if you are looking for a challenge.
 
gregnash said:
thoughts? :steer:
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Do it. A 2F engine is perfect for your first rebuild. It is so very simple. On the other hand it is very big and heavy. Most of the parts are big and heavy too.
You will need a manual, so that you can follow along step by step. You will need to do much research here on 'Mud, reading all the engine rebuild threads...there are some very good ones.
You will need the support of your local 'Cruiser community. You will want to borrow a lift and a heavy-duty engine stand. You will want some help when pulling and stabbing the engine. There are a few special tools that you will need, and if you can borrow them will help with the budget.
You will need to find the best machine shop for your needs. Ask your newfound 'Cruiserhead friends for their opinions, call repair shops who do work on 'Cruisers and ask them who does their machine work.
You will need to buy a Star...so that you can feel good about posting all the pics and questions that will go in your own engine rebuild thread.
A summer is more than enough time, you could do it in 2 weeks. Budget for a month of downtime and you'll be golden.
I had only rebuilt a few 1600 VW engines before I rebuilt my 2F. I found the 2F much less frustrating to assemble.
You will save more money the more work you do yourself.
 
Ok so sounds like it would be a semi-large undertaking to do myself but something that can be done by a newbie (yes I consider myself a complete newbie in this section).

I do have another option from a non-mud member that I have posted here. Body/frame/interior of this cruiser are same as the mud member one (in good condition) but it is lacking the lift. This cruiser has 270+k on it and the owner is currently asking $2400 (again I have posted about it). I am sure that if I came up with $1500-$1800 and showed up he would probably take it, however it hasn't passed smog in CA since 2009 and he has been reluctant on letting me take it to a mechanic to have it checked out and a compression test done.

Truth of the matter is that at my current speed I will be ready to pick something up in probably Sept (god the next months are PACKED with crap to do constantly). But seems that while both are in good condition they have their workings that need to be done....
 
gregnash said:
Ok so sounds like it would be a semi-large undertaking to do myself but something that can be done by a newbie (yes I consider myself a complete newbie in this section).

I do have another option from a non-mud member that I have posted here. Body/frame/interior of this cruiser are same as the mud member one (in good condition) but it is lacking the lift. This cruiser has 270+k on it and the owner is currently asking $2400 (again I have posted about it). I am sure that if I came up with $1500-$1800 and showed up he would probably take it, however it hasn't passed smog in CA since 2009 and he has been reluctant on letting me take it to a mechanic to have it checked out and a compression test done.

Truth of the matter is that at my current speed I will be ready to pick something up in probably Sept (god the next months are PACKED with crap to do constantly). But seems that while both are in good condition they have their workings that need to be done....
Click to expand...

Send a rust free fj60 body my way here in NJ......


Zack
 
gregnash said:
Ok so sounds like it would be a semi-large undertaking to do myself but something that can be done by a newbie
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Well, owning any old LandCruiser is a semi-large undertaking...but something that a properly motivated newbie can accomplish.
You should ask yourself if you're up to the task.
 
That's exactly what I'm saying. Parts and machine work $1500-2000.

Cruiserdrew said:
That's a very low estimate. I would count on double that or more unless you pull the motor, assemble the new motor, and re-install yourself.
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Nope no V8 here... if I am going to do anything it will be a diesel swap. That is the plan for the cruiser in the next 4-5yrs (figure that is how long it will take to save up along with everything else).

I am up for a challenge and would love to try to do the rebuild myself. But at the same time I almost would rather have a running cruiser that didnt look as good since I will need it for camping trips and mtn biking trips, etc..
 
Ultimately it is cheaper to save up and spend more money on a nicer example then to buy the cheapest truck you can find with the cash burning a hole in your pocket. You are talking about spending $1800 on a high mileage running truck or doing a motor rebuild on a different truck. Total amount you are likely to spend is near $5k when all is said and done for either truck. Sounds like you are more into other activities vs. wrenching all weekend. If that is the case then buy a better truck. You will get plenty of wrenching time either way.

:cheers:
Nick
 
Yeah it really is a toss up because both would take priority. While riding is fun and playing with the dogs, what not, is all fun I would love to work on the vehicle and "get to know her."

Part of this too is that while they have high mileage on them I know that the one in Tahoe "seems" to be in good running condition, the other I still have to see. The only thing that bothers me about the Tahoe one is that he hasnt let me take it to a mechanic and the title thing (which really could be nothing).

The other one the owner says it needs a rebuild and I trust him in that matter (he even bought a 3FE for a swap and planned to do the swap) which tells me it does need a rebuild but could it last 3-5yrs of normal driving (would just be camping rig and around here to take me to different trailheads).

So basically as long as the engine can last me another few years of normal driving around with the occasional trip over the hill (into CA) for mtb trips, camping trips or to see the rents then that is all that matters to me.
 
Pighead said:
Perhaps. And perhaps all it needs is a valve job.
One challenge could be the diagnosis...
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PRECISELY DR WATSON!!!

Which is why I still need to talk to him in the first place about why he believes it needs the "rebuild." Again I trust his judgement but I still need to talk with him.:grinpimp:

So next question is, I have a basic tool/wrench set that I have used to work on my pathfinder back when I had that, but what other tools would I need. I am looking at getting a small pancake compressor (will be used for other things) but since I have not built my own tool set for auto work in a very long time what are some basic things I will need?
 
gregnash said:
PRECISELY DR WATSON!!!

Which is why I still need to talk to him in the first place about why he believes it needs the "rebuild." Again I trust his judgement but I still need to talk with him.:grinpimp:

So next question is, I have a basic tool/wrench set that I have used to work on my pathfinder back when I had that, but what other tools would I need. I am looking at getting a small pancake compressor (will be used for other things) but since I have not built my own tool set for auto work in a very long time what are some basic things I will need?
Click to expand...

If you want to do engine work, an engine hoist is essential. I have used mine far more than I would have ever thought. You also will need several sets of 6 ton jack stands for when you want to work on the axles or suspension.

You need a very complete tool set with sockets, wrenches, gear wrenches, drivers and ratchets of various sizes, a good torque wrench and piles of other stuff. A timing light, DVM lots of general service tools that are not specific to engine work but come in handy anyway.

For building the motor, you need a few special bits like a ring compressor but mostly you need a good torque wrench.

You don't need a compressor, especially a small oilless one, but air tools do speed certain jobs up.

Good luck. Sounds like you'll be getting your PhD right after 3rd grade. I'm hoping you get lucky and just have to pull the head. That's a good first time major project.
 
Ok so sounds like the 200 piece socket/wrench set should hold me over pretty well, from there really need a 3ton jack, multi 6ton jack stands, good torque wrench, timing light, DVM (whats this?).

Hoping that I will have some time to call the mudder tonight and get some more information from him.
 
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