2F Engine Sound - How Much Valve Train Noise is Too Much?

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SB Closer

SB Closer

10 Year
Joined
Jun 23, 2015
Threads
8
Messages
73
Location
Santa Barbara, CA
Hi,

I got my hands on my first FJ60 last June. Have been going through it since then. Standard stuff, vacuum & exhaust leaks, carb, ignition, emissions, rust etc. I adjusted the valves about 700 miles ago (per instructions in the many threads on here) but ever since I have found myself constantly thinking about the noise from the valve train.

I have found a few videos of running engines and mine might sound like a combination of these two but without the "valve clack" noise in the second one.

Sounds close to this?: 1984 FJ60 Questions Prior to Purchase

Not like this: 1987 fj60 toyota landcruiser, idling with a tick or knock.

What I hear from mine is more like (or at least I think) push rod noise...?
Cold (fairly accurate but a bit louder in person):


Hot (more accurate than cold video, sounds about right):


I am base-lining this off of the video in this thread of what looks like a bitchin' engine (2nd video down):
Normal Sound?


Thoughts? Does my engine sound like it is within the normal bounds? Too much noise? I've heard too much rod knock before and that was definitely bad news..

I was told that the 2F, when properly adjusted, should sound like a loud but well oiled sewing machine.. Is this correct?


Cheers
/Brian
 
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A nice running 2F can sound like this one below. But I've even heard quieter. You should just barely hear the valve rockers tapping on the valve stems like in this video clip.

Some of the vids linked above, I can hear a few slightly loose valves.

All the valves on this engine had just been adjusted with a noticeable drag of the feeler gauge while the engine was hot. None are loose. The head had just been completely rebuilt.
The engine is noticeably quieter with the valve cover on.

This vid was shot with an iPhone. Another vid I shot with an old Sony digital camera and the engine sounded a LOT clankier. So the recording device makes a big difference.

All the vids linked above sound like 2Fs. Some are a little louder than others. But all the recording devices are different too.




 
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I know it is a tough question to tackle given the subjectivity of this noise or that, especially given different recording devices - so thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

I guess it wouldn't hurt to double check my valve clearance as it really wasn't that much work..
 
Sounds like a 2F to me... Sounds like just any other I have ever heard. I think "how warm" the engine is plays into it as well as there are time when mine seems to make a lot of noise and has just gotten up to operating temp or has been running for quite a while and seems to be making lots of noise. Definitely subjective based on the given environment, tools being used, etc. as they all play a role (e.g. inside a garage or shop may have more echo making it seem louder than outside.).
 
Thanks for the input! I definitely notice a difference in noise level from warm to cold too. Also, not being a daily driver, my 60 tends to sound a lot louder when cold after sitting for several days. When I do run it I tend to go on trips and I can hear the engine quiet down after several miles. I wonder if it would be worthwhile running it more than once a week..
 
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