2H Conversion or Not!

[Gryphon]

I think I just blew a head gasket on my 1973 FJ40.

I was driving down the road, smelled something burning. Pulled over, looked like a little chocolate milk had blown out of the hole in the valve cover.

Decided to try to make it to my sister's house about 3-4 miles away. Started it back up, lots of white smoke.

Got about a mile down the road and heard a radiator hose go. Limped into my sister's driveway.

It looks like a rebuild is going to cost amount as much as just putting in a rebuilt 2H diesel.

What are the pros and cons of going to a 2H diesel?

The 2H description says that it'll boly right up to my tranny, the wiring is "easy", and all I'd have to do is move the motor mounts.

Seem like there should be more to it than that?

So, what are the gotchas?

I'd love to have a diesel, but what are the negatives to this conversion on an FJ?

Thanks in advance for your knowledge and wisdom!

 

[RufusTheDufus]

Are you considering converting to stock-like functionality or do you just want to make a diesel engine work? I ask this question because many of the stock components for the glow plug system and EDIC control are getting hard to find. If you're not looking for stock functionality there are a number of different fairly easy ways to work around these issues.

Will the 2H come with an alternator, starter, glow plug relay/electrionics, EDIC control or any wiring? The diesel alternators typically have a vacuum pump on them connected to a vacuum tank on the frame rail to handle power brakes.

BTW, you might get more responses in the Diesel Tech forum.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi all,

Installing a 2F gas engine as a replacement of your blown F engine would be much easier and cheaper than swapping-in a 2H engine.
You can bolt-up all of your F engine accessories to the 2F, and use the F carb as well if you want to.

Regards,

Alan

 

[Gryphon]

Yeah. I realize a 2F woulr be cheaper, but, If I'm going to do an engine swap, I'm going diesel.

Otherwise, I'll just fix the F.

 

[67azcruizr]

if you are going to do an engine swap and have decided to go diesel then do a worthwhile diesel swap. 1HZ, 1hd-T or even a 12H-T would be more worthwhile as a 6 cylinder option. the 12H-T probably less stress to the drivetrain issues but still..................., 2H is obsolete as far as replacement value per non-original.

do some homework, it will be well worth it

p.s. my choice would lean towards a direct injected diesel if that is your end choice. much easier and more worthwhile.

 

[bikersmurf]

It's been done. Search the Vancouver Island Clubhouse, there's a thread there on it.

In general, they're bigger and heavier than a 3B with not that much gain (from what I've read)... I'd swap in a 3B first and add a Turbo if I were spending your time and money.

 

[bikersmurf]

If it were my money, I'd buy a good running 2F for $300, and be back on the road tomorrow.

 

[cult45]

Yeah 67AZ is on the money. A 2H is a torque monster, but obsolete. I'd find a direct injected factory turbo. 12H-T, 1HD-T, 13B-T etc. You'll need the hair dryer in today's traffic.

 

[cult45]

Yeah or a sweet 2F and keep on truckin

 

[payney60]

Do what you really want mate if you want a 2h then do it but i'd suggest a turbo to go with it.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

In general, they're bigger and heavier than a 3B with not that much gain (from what I've read)... I'd swap in a 3B first and add a Turbo if I were spending your time and money.

The 3B swap is much, much more involved. You need to swap the transmission to a B series unit or swap the transmission input shaft. The F/H input shaft is different than the B series. The exhaust is on the opposite side of the engine on a B which can complicate things a little in a conversion. I'm not saying it won't be worth it, just that it's a lot more involved.

 

[winnie]

I'm no expert, but after reading Crushers thread re the 1HZ conversion he's done, it has me convinced its a very viable option ...

 

[mags]

I have been toying with a diesel swap myself. While it's got a lot of cool factor, I have trouble justifying the cost. Especially if you go with a turbo as they get more expensive. Yes you can get 25 mpg, but my 2f with a weber gets me about 14. That's a savings of 11 mpg more.

I drive my FJ about 6,000 miles a year. So diesel is about 240 gallons at $3 for a total of $720. Gas is 428 gallons at $2.50 for a total of $1,072.50. That's a savings of $350 per year going diesel. My cheapest guess for doing a diesel swap correctly would be $3500. It's probably more than that, and that's doing a lot myself. That would take me 10 years to recoup the cost in fuel.

So after seeing the math I may still do this, but it would be during a complete truck tear-down and rebuild not just hot swapping the motor. Plus like others have said your truck is down for a while. Again, it's your choice and maybe you have some very valid reasons to go diesel. That being said if you do go diesel I would opt for a turbo if you can afford it.

 

[MrMoMo]

I drive my FJ about 6,000 miles a year. So diesel is about 240 gallons at $3 for a total of $720. Gas is 428 gallons at $2.50 for a total of $1,072.50. That's a savings of $350 per year going diesel. My cheapest guess for doing a diesel swap correctly would be $3500. It's probably more than that, and that's doing a lot myself. That would take me 10 years to recoup the cost in fuel.

Throw this wrench into you calculations....

Burn veggie.

About 50-75% of the fuel that goes through my 3B is veggie. It's as close to free as you can get. In my TDI golf I have gone 2500km on one diesel tank (I.e. Between fill ups of diesel) the rest is veggie. Yes there is some conversion cost, yes there is some processing cost, but it's minimal. If you have the time, and space - it's well worth it.

If not, just burn diesel. Real trucks don't have spark plugs. ;cD

 

[bikersmurf]

I have been toying with a diesel swap myself. While it's got a lot of cool factor, I have trouble justifying the cost. Especially if you go with a turbo as they get more expensive. Yes you can get 25 mpg, but my 2f with a weber gets me about 14. That's a savings of 11 mpg more.

I drive my FJ about 6,000 miles a year. So diesel is about 240 gallons at $3 for a total of $720. Gas is 428 gallons at $2.50 for a total of $1,072.50. That's a savings of $350 per year going diesel. My cheapest guess for doing a diesel swap correctly would be $3500. It's probably more than that, and that's doing a lot myself. That would take me 10 years to recoup the cost in fuel.

So after seeing the math I may still do this, but it would be during a complete truck tear-down and rebuild not just hot swapping the motor. Plus like others have said your truck is down for a while. Again, it's your choice and maybe you have some very valid reasons to go diesel. That being said if you do go diesel I would opt for a turbo if you can afford it.

I've done the same math. Even at 2000 for the swap, still looking at 10 year break even... Assuming nothing dies... If a SBC dies, I'm back on the road in about a week for $500 or less.

 

[mags]

I can see the advantage of going diesel and using veggie over a long period of time. However, I will have to wait until I retire from my current job and start one that keeps me around the house more than two weeks a month. Really I just don't have the time to commit or an abundance of local restaurants giving away free frying grease. All in all I would love to have a diesel in my cruiser. If I suddenly get rich I would do it immediately, but this will probably be something I tackle as a retirement gift to me. In the meantime I get to live vicariously through the folks that conduct these swaps and post to mud!

 

[Indestructible 47]

If your asking my opinion I would go a 12HT which is basically a 2H with a factory turbo. In saying that 12HT's are/can be expensive so it depends on your funds. You could also go a 3B...
With a 12HT your fj40 will pull wheel stands