Build 2FE build thread

[subatomic]

So as most of you may know, in September I started having rod knock and a fantastical blowout that ended up with me getting a very large bill from an incompetent mechanic and more problems than when I started. My main goal this summer is to get started rebuilding the engine of the 60, preferably with EFI, and as toyota as possible. I already have some idea of my plan forward, and I am lucky enough that many people have documented their own 2FE builds before me, so there is plenty of documentation. My 2 main problems are thus: I have never done something like this before and do not have any engine building or rebuilding experience, and I am away from everyone who may possibly help me because I decided to do something stupid with my life (who needs a PhD anyways?). I am also in a very small garage without a lot of indoor working room, and Oregon is a place that is hostile to things made of steel.

Pappy has given me a good start and a good shopping list, and there are a few 62 engines available in ABQ that I could pick up... and then either try to arrange freight shipping of the 3FE here or my 2F there, I haven't decided yet.

Ideally, I could work in ABQ and have some help, and live at my friend's house while TAing remotely. But without a working vehicle, I am unsure how to move things between here and there.

My ideal plan is with this is to rebuild the engine, and then while it is out decide whether now is the time to also replace the tired 4spd with an h55f. As it stands currently, I don't need a vehicle so if this takes multiple summers it's not the end of the world, but the sooner it's done the better.

 

[Old 40]

I don't have anything to contribute to a 2F to 3FE conversion, however, I did put a H55F into a 1989 FJ62 after the A440F died. Night and day difference in drivability. If the 84 is a direct swap from the 4spd to the 5spd I would do it. The 62 required all the clutch plumbing, pedal, and a cross member.

 

[pappy]

If the 84 is a direct swap from the 4spd to the 5spd I would do it. The 62 required all the clutch plumbing, pedal, and a cross member.

It won't be. The H55F is longer. It can still be done.

 

[subatomic]

I have successfully found a donor 3FE pulled recently from a 1988 62, complete with harness and computer and I believe all accessories. Great deal! I also have eyes on a 62 fuel tank that should just be a drop in so as to avoid dealing with an external fuel pump.

 

[subatomic]

The donor is secured. I would have liked to skip transporting the transmission but I can pull that off later. Looks like PO has the internal fan alternator and EGR delete. Everything looks to be in good working order. Excited to tear this apart over the summer.

 

[nab856]

View attachment 4110581
The donor is secured. I would have liked to skip transporting the transmission but I can pull that off later. Looks like PO has the internal fan alternator and EGR delete. Everything looks to be in good working order. Excited to tear this apart over the summer.

Excellent! Any history/condition knowledge?

 

[GTV]

I don't have anything to contribute to a 2F to 3FE conversion, however, I did put a H55F into a 1989 FJ62 after the A440F died. Night and day difference in drivability. If the 84 is a direct swap from the 4spd to the 5spd I would do it. The 62 required all the clutch plumbing, pedal, and a cross member.

Not a 2F to 3FE conversion. 2F with a 3FE head, aka 2FE.

 

[subatomic]

Excellent! Any history/condition knowledge?

PO worked at an auto body shop, pulled the motor basically a few days beforeI purchased from his 62 after about 260k miles. Said he did regular maintenance. He was doing an LS swap since he was located in Colorado and the altitude meant lack of power for him. Ran when pulled from the truck, I watched video -- no knocking or rough idle. I should have asked for compression #s, but didn't think of it. The wiring and computer is in good condition. When I take the head off and inspect I will check that everything is in decent condition.

My major concerns now are the condition of my 2F, and whether the crankshaft journal is damaged, or how bad the internal damage is. I haven't dug into it yet. I would prefer not to have to bore the cylinders over but I am not particularly well versed in when that is necessary. I will ask when I take the block to a machinist.

 

[nab856]

Personally, we rebuild all engines when pulled. Cheap insurance.

 

[William839]

Personally, we rebuild all engines when pulled. Cheap insurance.

Engine rebuild and cheap in the same sentence ?? Never heard that before

 

[nab856]

Engine rebuild and cheap in the same sentence ?? Never heard that before

Tired and worn out is cheaper to fix than broken or destroyed.

 

[subatomic]

In terms of gas tanks, do I need to get a 62 tank or is there some kind of adapter for the 60 tank? There's one in my area but I'd prefer to avoid paying for one if I don't need to. My goal is to keep an internal fuel pump if possible.

 

[subatomic]

I suppose I haven't updated this in a while. In late April I got a cleaned fj62 tank off of fb marketplace with isolators and brackets. I will need to buy the @cruisermatt fj62 fuel pump hanger bracket assembly, but it looks like it's currently out of stock? I'm not at the point where I need it yet so hopefully when more are made I can buy one. I don't know what soft lines are still available from Toyota, but that is a later problem.

As for now, the donor has been removed from storage and the engine is separate from the transmission:

This picture was posted already in HDC but I want to have it documented here as well.
I've now begun the process of masking everything off and removing the accessories. Here the starter is already off.

Since I am already here, should I improve this block off plate some? There is probably a way to make it look slightly nicer.
Side question, how does one remove the throttle cable from the transmission? I'm afraid to just yank on it since I assume I will need that for later.

 

[cruisermatt]

Man, if the 3FE is in good shape I think I would just do the 3FE and skip the 2FE setup.
One think you can do on the intake is weld the hole up and grind it smooth and grind the mounting bosses off, a light bead blast after will make it look like there was nothing ever there.

Fuel pump hangers are actually in stock, I just updated the website inventory for you. We can supply pump and preassmble as well if you'd like for addiontal cost, just let us know via email

 

[subatomic]

Thanks for the quick response and the inventory update! I will place an order in a bit.

I think if I were a person who was smarter, I would listen to you and just drop in the 3FE and be done, but at this point, this is a personal project and I am taking it more as a learning experience than anything else. Would learning how to build engines be easier with a miata? Probably.

Plus I think the cool factor is worth it!

I've just started learning welding, would MIG be enough for this situation?
Unrelated, you are very close to my alma mater. Go knights. If I'm ever in florida again, maybe I can visit sometime!

 

[pappy]

Since I am already here, should I improve this block off plate some? There is probably a way to make it look slightly nicer.

Yes, take the plate off and install a freeze plug into the hole.

 

[pappy]

Man, if the 3FE is in good shape I think I would just do the 3FE and skip the 2FE setup.

Even though I went the 2FE direction, I gotta agree with Matt. The 3FE would be easier. If it wasn't trendy at the time I probably would have just kept the 3FE.

 

[alia176]

PO worked at an auto body shop, pulled the motor basically a few days beforeI purchased from his 62 after about 260k miles. Said he did regular maintenance. He was doing an LS swap since he was located in Colorado and the altitude meant lack of power for him. Ran when pulled from the truck, I watched video -- no knocking or rough idle. I should have asked for compression #s, but didn't think of it. The wiring and computer is in good condition. When I take the head off and inspect I will check that everything is in decent condition.

My major concerns now are the condition of my 2F, and whether the crankshaft journal is damaged, or how bad the internal damage is. I haven't dug into it yet. I would prefer not to have to bore the cylinders over but I am not particularly well versed in when that is necessary. I will ask when I take the block to a machinist.

It's not too late to do the compression and leak down test right now if you can swing it. Yeah, it'll be a PITA to turn the crankshaft bolt w/o twisting the whole engine but if it's on a stand, another person can weigh it down.

 

[alia176]

Even though I went the 2FE direction, I gotta agree with Matt. The 3FE would be easier. If it wasn't trendy at the time I probably would have just kept the 3FE.

Pappy and "trendy" in the same sentence.......

 

[pappy]

Pappy and "trendy" in the same sentence.......

[sigh] I know. I feel so ashamed. I hope I've gotten better since then.