2H or 14B for a 40-Series PickUp? (1 Viewer)

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Well folks, I need your help to decide for my future 40-Series PickUp resto here in Greece.
As I have no experience with the 2H, your input and thoughts are valuable to me, thank you!

The truck is a 1983 BJ45, 450.000+ km/280.000+ miles on the clock and she is a abused ex-recovery vehicle.
However, I do have a much better 1984 FJ45 as a donor vehicle with just 1/3 of this mileage and punishment. So all mechanical parts, apart the 2F engine, can be used: H41 4spd gearbox, axles (ratio: 3,73) etc (I cannot use the 2F: according to the local regulations, if a truck is registered as a diesel she cannot swap to a gasser and vice versa...)
Preferring not to rebuild the 3B in hand, I have the choice between:
-a 14B JDM import engine from a 1995 Dyna truck with around 160.000 km/100.000 miles, the seller is here in Greece and gives 1 year guarantee.

- a 2H from a German HJ60, whose the second owner swapped recently for a 12H-T: 310.000 km/192.000 miles.
According to the seller the following works have been done in Germany:
by 305.000 km/190.000 miles the injectors ("Einspritzdüsen") have been overhauled/revised ("überarbeitet"), at a Bosch shop for 800 euros/usd
by 295.000 km/183.000 miles the engine has been checked/revised ("revidiert") whatever that means, by the previous owner of the car.
The seller is in Germany and as I am now in Greece it will be bought from pics only (see attached pic).
Is this engine a "middle-aged" with enough of life left at that point?

To summ up:
Both engines have roughly the same output (horsepower, torque, revs). The slightly more modern direct injected 14B can offer a slightly better fuel economy.
The 2H has the double of the mileage, but less than half of the price of the 14B!

Factors to be considered:
-I wish that my resto will be a frame-off one, but (if possible) a budget conscious, so cost has to be considered.
-Although the truck will not be just a garage Queen, I do not expect her to surpass the 3.500 km/2.000 miles yearly

That got long, sorry...

 

[sodafeld1]

which engine has easiest access to parts? Cost of rebuilding injectors difference(call a diesel specialist)? some rebuilt injectors cost 6x the price of rebuilt 2h injectors...

It maybe possible for you to get brand new cylinder heads from a spanish casting manufacturer, I forgot their name, hopefully you can google them. I believe they use to cast a 2h cylinder head, otherwise it is dubious chinese quality and supply..

have you infinite finances or frugal? don't have to tell but a good way to make a decision.

I do not know the 14b, but I know the 2h is slow but very reliable and simple which suits me.

I am slowly rebuilding a 2h, here in oz it is not too bad to get mostly new parts. The crank shaft is reconditioned, I had to find a used cylinder head and get it skimmed, got burned by alibaba cylinder head supplier, the thieves. New performance camshaft, pistons, lifters, rods, rockers, valve springs etc..but some new 2h parts are virtually unobtainable like the rocker shaft.
Probably the most expensive was paying a diesel specialist to rebuild the 2h injector pump, but it should last a very long time.

 

[sodafeld1]

which engine has easiest access to parts? Cost of rebuilding injectors difference(call a diesel specialist)? some rebuilt injectors cost 6x the price of rebuilt 2h injectors...

It maybe possible for you to get brand new cylinder heads from a spanish casting manufacturer, I forgot their name, hopefully you can google them. I believe they use to cast a 2h cylinder head, otherwise it is dubious chinese quality and supply..

have you infinite finances or frugal? don't have to tell but a good way to make a decision.

I do not know the 14b, but I know the 2h is slow but very reliable and simple which suits me.

I am slowly rebuilding a 2h, here in oz it is not too bad to get mostly new parts. The crank shaft is reconditioned, I had to find a used cylinder head and get it skimmed, got burned by alibaba cylinder head supplier, the thieves. New performance camshaft, pistons, lifters, rods, rockers, valve springs etc..but some new 2h parts are virtually unobtainable like the rocker shaft.
Probably the most expensive was paying a diesel specialist to rebuild the 2h injector pump, but it should last a very long time.

I understand you don't want to necessarily rebuild an engine, but you never know if you may have to, so good to know about access to parts.
Injectors need rebuilding every 100k either engine.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

the 2H and the 14B/3B have exhausts coming out of opposite sides of the engine. If you switch to the 2H from a 3B you will likely need to reroute all of your brake lines to keep them away from the heat of the exhaust. The clutch fork will likely have to swap to the other side of the bellhousing too.
I went from an H to a 3B. (HJ45 Troopy became a BJ45 Troopy.) It's a lot of work. IMO, if you don't go with a B series engine you are likely better off swapping to a Vortec instead of a 2H. Just my opinion. I already owned the 3B, that's why I did my swap. But I regret it in some ways.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

Also, the engine mounts will have to be fabricated for the 2H. I wouldn't be surprised if the 14B bolts up to the 3B engine mounts.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I would use the 14B. It can handle a bit more power output and parts wont be an issue.

 

[sodafeld1]

Interesting points, it makes sense to keep b engine related. Access to parts would be a deciding factor.

But then there are a few folks putting 2h engines into 40 series, there is guy on youtube , 40 channel or something like that, he is doing a nice job putting a 2h into a 40 series.

My 2h custom exhaust hj75, is a simple thing, pull it apart and put back on quite easily. But I am glad not too frig around too much and keep stock as much as possible, personally. I like to use the thing, rather than working on it. I frig around enough as it is.

But again a newer engine with less kms and if easier to install , easier access to parts, is probably the way to go. You shall spend money either way.

 

[Dougal]

14B. More efficient, more power capability, less heat, better parts supply.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

The description on the work done on that 2H engine from Germany is vague.

While you can source 2H parts from Australia, shipping can be expensive.

If there is something wrong with the 14B you found, its warranty will help you.

The 14B is a better choice. As mentioned above, it is more efficient and produces less heat. Parts are easier to source.

Keep in mind that late model Bandeirantes from Brazil used this engine.






Juan

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

In respect to the easy of installation, as sodafeld1 from OZ mentioned it, I think that the degree of difficulty should be roughly the same, in both cases, 14B or 2H, given that I do have a complete FJ45 as a donor vehicle (and want to use her mechanical parts, eg. the H41 gearbox, due to the better condition they are).
Otherwise, your points seem to be valid and sound!
Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions so far!

Waiting for more pics and some less vague info on this 2H, I got some pics of the 14B.
The asking price for the 14B is 2.5 X the 2H price.
Both engines seem to be complete, with all ancillaries.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

The H41 came with 2 different styles of input shafts. The B series shaft is a finer spline design and is longer than the H/2H/F series input shaft. Do you already have the H41 referenced above?

A 14B with an H55 would be the way to go, IMO. Your first post mentions two vehicles: a BJ45 and an FJ45. Does ether have a 5 speed?

 

[Greek Cruiserhead]

Correct!
I am having both H41s, with B and F/H shafts. Actually, I do have two complete trucks: a BJ45 and a FJ45 (as a donor vehicle), to start with.

As it concerns the H55F, no doubt it is a very good part to have, I have it factory in my restored BJ42 (the long wheelbase models did never have it).
Now, what I have on hand is a good 4 spd gearbox + good axles (3.70 axle ratio) from the FJ45. Moreover, I got the Terrain Tamer 4spd gearbox rebuild kit for just 260 $USD. I expect that with this combo (and with either engine) she will do ok, even on the highway, like e.g. the HJ60, which is a (slightly) heavier vehicle. In any case she will do occasionally highway miles and as I never surpass the 100 km/65 miles per hour with these trucks...

I try to do a budget conscious resto, if such a thing exists with our money pits, Lol!