2FE Build Opinions Needed

[DickM]

What filter are you running?

A Napa Inline filter in the engine compartment.

In your original drawing, I was wondering why you didn't route your return off the rail back to the original tank or long-range tank?

I screwed around with about every combination/permutation of routing of the fuel lines as far as where they went and where they physically were on the surge tank.

I never did take the fuel rail return anywhere except to the surge tank. Everything I read, and the surge tank guys all said to go to the surge tank with the rail return. I did run the mechanical pump return back to the tank for a while after I eliminated the aux tank from the pile of variables.

That being said, I am still convinced that there is a way to make the components on the original drawing work. My gut feeling is that the Bosch pump had too high an output pressure, and that, coupled with the dual return (mechanical pump/EFI pump) lines caused the fuel starvation/pump cavitation problems I was having with the surge tank. I just lost patience changing stuff.(and not driving the truck)

 

[DickM]

This is a pretty picture-less thread, so I thought I would add a couple (finally). The spare tire is on the rack because I have to take off the swingouts on the rear Kaymar bumper to get vehicles in the garage for winter.

 

[landcruiser80]

Nice! We all love pictures.

 

[DickM]

All performance issues have been resolved-the last one was replacing the aftermarket water pump that failed in under 500m with an OEM pump.
I have been DD'ing it for the last month- 60 miles roundtrip on the interstate to the jobsite, with an occasional trip on the two lane for variety.
Mileage has been steady at 14MPG, and it is FUN to drive. Not a screamer off the line, but runs easily at interstate speeds- the 5 speed is nice for that. It will pull smoothly up to 4K RPM, with room left that I haven't wanted (or needed) to explore. No crazy downshifting all the time.
The 2FE is not a V-8, but it sure isn't close to a stock 2F, either.
Overall, I am very happy with this motor even though it was a bit of a battle at times to finally get here.

 

[landcruiser80]

Glad you are enjoying driving it! Makes me want to get mine done.

 

[DickM]

Glad you are enjoying driving it!

Thanks, it makes all the other remaining chores much more enjoyable. Now all the little details don't seem like they will never get done.
For instance, I just put in @slcfj62's upgraded headlight harness with H4 housings after driving with the stock "candles" a couple of times.
Great improvement, and it made my smile just a little wider. More of that stuff to come.

Makes me want to get mine done.

Yeah, if you had told me at the start that it would be almost three years to get it all sorted out, I would have said no way.. but here I am.
Good luck with yours. Seems like you are making great progress!

 

[klinetime574]

Really nice pictures and great thread.

Just to confirm your set-up: Are you still running 3.7 gears? And those look like 31 inch tires (maybe)

 

[DickM]

Sorry for the tardy reply. I was out of electronic range for a couple of days.
No to the 3.7 gears. The PO had Merle at Classic Cruisers in Salida CO switched in FJ62 thirds (4.11) when the ARB lockers went in.(8/1/01)
The tires are 235 85 R16, so yeah, 31.73 more or less.
I just ordered ProComp rock crawler series 97 black steelies because, as nice as the Alcoa aluminum wheels are that came on it, I really don't like the look of them.
And since I want to be able to wheel this thing a little too, I will probably be switching the tires to BFG AT KO2's in 285 or 295 75 R16. Hopefully it will be a good compromise between road and trail as the plan is to do both.
And thanks for the kind words @klinetime574

 

[DickM]

A belated update.......
New wheels and tires, interior upgrades, a trip to Cruise Moab and a bunch of road time around Colorado

And.............

A blown head gasket at about 5K on the rebuild

Beno got me the correct gaskets, and the truck is running again, but I have to say I don't really know why the head gasket went.

The truck ran hot from the initial break-in until I got the fuel issues resolved and drove it for long enough trips that I realized that the radiator had a pressure leak at the fill neck, the fan clutch was shot and the Napa water pump had noisy bearings and needed to be replaced. It never got into the red zone on the gauge, but it came close several times before I sorted it all out. Maybe this was a factor?

I've changed oil and filter after the first full heat cycle, and will continue very frequent oil/filter changes based on what the dipstick oil looks like.

Any thoughts?

 

[klinetime574]

What brand was the head gasket that failed?

Tires and wheels look good. Did you go with the 285 or 295?

The fan clutch along with the pressure leak could have contributed to the failure. The long trip is probably what did it in.

Glad to hear its back up and running already!

 

[DickM]

What brand was the head gasket that failed?

OEM, 3FE head gasket originally installed and failed.

Tires and wheels look good. Did you go with the 285 or 295?

285 on 17" wheels

The long trip is probably what did it in.

There were 3 or 4 long trips with high RPM trips over steep mountain passes before the failure. I ran it like I built it to run, no abuse, but no real babying.

Glad to hear its back up and running already!

I did nothing for about 6 weeks after I trailered it home. I was busy with owner arrival deadlines at work, but mainly was severely bummed out about the failure. I was just at the point where I thought I had everything good to go and had a dependable vehicle I would take anywhere. Now ,not so much, as I don't definitely know what caused the problem.

 

[klinetime574]

Good to know on the OEM headgasket. I could read back but did you re-torque after 500 miles? That's what I did on my 2F rebuild back in 2007 and it's still running strong.

I would say if the engine was not cooling that well, those heat cycles on the motor would lead to a head gasket failure.

Definitely keep your eye on it. Really monitor that water temperature. Keep on trucking though!

 

[DickM]

I could read back but did you re-torque after 500 miles?

Yeah, I think I did everything by the book. Re-torque at 500 miles with valve adjustment and timing check. Break-in oil (w/ ZDDP additive) changed.
Next oil change 1750 miles. 2500 miles later the head gasket went.

Keep on trucking though!

Thanks for the encouragement. Not a chance I am quitting now, though. This will get figured out as I have come too far, and the truck is way too much fun when it runs.

Plus, the CFO really loves the truck. She just rebuilt the sun visors-new foam and vinyl, so I better get this figured out.

 

[klinetime574]

Well it sounds like everything went by the book just like you said.

Those visors look amazing. I have SOR covers on mine. Kinda bulky but I like the pockets.

Keep us updated on how she fairs from here on out

 

[Two 3FEs]

it seems like there are small 3/16" ports on the head gasket and 1" holes in the block/head. Maybe not enough coolant flow? and some back pressure causes the gasket failure?

 

[DickM]

it seems like there are small 3/16" ports on the head gasket and 1" holes in the block/head. Maybe not enough coolant flow? and some back pressure causes the gasket failure?

A possibility, I suppose, but there are quite a few 2FE builds with no problems with the 3FE headgasket/2F block combo. At this point I am leaning toward overheating abuse while troubleshooting fuel and cooling system as the cause. But I don't really know and I won't get a lot of miles on the truck this winter, so, as always, time will tell.