3b: Repair or replace

[tuffcitycruiser]

I'm in need of some advice on what to do with my 60 series. My truck currently has a 3b with a huge hole in the block. Piston arm blew through it . I took my chances and bought a replacement engine from a reputable guy for $300. All he knew about it was that it had less than 300k on it. The plan was to put the high nickel head from my engine (has less than 100k) on to the donor and away I go. I purchased OEM rear main seal, pilot bearing, front crank seal and head gasket totaling $300. So, I'm in $600 at this point on this engine.

Turns out, two of the cylinders have some marks on them and my mechanic says that I probably shouldn't use the block in it's current state. I'm heavily invested in this truck and getting rid of the beast is not an option at this point.

I believe these are my two best options:

1) Look for a new engine that runs and cut my losses
2) Bore out the cylinders and get some new pistons (curious to hear from anyone that has done this)

I have to admit getting a little juice out of my 3b is intriguing... But is this a huge expense? And should I just do a complete rebuild at this point since the head is off? I welcome any advice here

 

[dkyuss]

If your 3b is an 81 the cylinders should be sleeved. You can then re sleeve and bore to suit your existing pistons? You may try to source oversized pistons from engineaustralia? Not sure if the local guys have a source?
Another 3b is just unknown new issues or lots of $$$.
My .02

 

[tuffcitycruiser]

Block not usable due to large hole, so can't re-sleeve

 

[tuffcitycruiser]

These are the two cylinders. Can anyone tell me how "bad" these are? I have one guys saying it's fine and another saying that he wouldn't use the block in this condition...

 

[dkyuss]

Ya I dont know... You can still see what looks like honing marks from prior work? Very little as far as vertical scoring. Some glazing on the wall
Most important, what does it measure? Is it round? Whats all that debris in there? looks like gravel or sand? Metal chips? That needs to be fixed.

More pics?


Hard to go on one picture, but If it were me, I would probably pull out some plastic and rebuild the bottom end. Start searching for suppliers. Depends on how badly you need/want to get going.

 

[tuffcitycruiser]

Ya I dont know... You can still see what looks like honing marks from prior work? Very little as far as vertical scoring. Some glazing on the wall
Most important, what does it measure? Is it round? Whats all that debris in there? looks like gravel or sand? Metal chips? That needs to be fixed.

More pics?


Hard to go on one picture, but If it were me, I would probably pull out some plastic and rebuild the bottom end. Start searching for suppliers. Depends on how badly you need/want to get going.

Ya it's hard to tell from the pic. This engine sat for a while and needs some work. Just wondering if it's worth the trouble... I've had a hard time finding a complete engine that's in good shape. I'd love to do a full rebuild but my truck is in a shop two hours from where I live and the guys seems like he wants it out of his shop. It's been there for almost two months already...

But as far a cylinder damage goes, this is usable if it was cleaned up?

 

[tuffcitycruiser]

Here are a couple more pics.

 

[dkyuss]

How does the cylinder feel? Can you feel the horizontal ridge, (seen better in the second pic) with your fingers?

Really need an accurate inside mic and measure and compare to FSM. If this checks out in spec and round, and that is just dirt/grime and not a ridge than I might be tempted to clean it up and install.... But your this far in already and while your in there.....

If you re bore the cylinders, they should be like new again. just need oversize pistons to accomidate. Not sure why Mr T stopped sleeving the cylinders. And if you go that far, than at least measure cam and BEB's as you may need these while your in there.

As always, time and $$$ are usually the driving factors.

 

[tuffcitycruiser]

The truck isn't where I live as I broke down far away from home. I'll ask the mechanic if he can feel the ridge or not. I'm pretty confident that this guys is legit.

I'm really leaning towards boring out the cylinders since I have pretty much rebuilt the whole truck in the last 12 months. Just worried about the $$$. Anyone know how much a new set of pistons would run?

 

[BC40]

looks like light corrosion marks from sitting. Dampness rusting where the rings were sitting. May not be a problem if it is just a surface discolouration or very shallow. From the looks of it I've run similar blocks before, though they were gas engines .

 

[gerg]

I'd vacume it out and bolt it up. Then you can hunt for the engine if your dreams while you run it. Looks like very minor verticle scoring.

 

[dkyuss]

I'm really leaning towards boring out the cylinders since I have pretty much rebuilt the whole truck in the last 12 months. Just worried about the $$$. Anyone know how much a new set of pistons would run?

Page 038 Land Cruiser Diesel Engine Rebuild Kits

Have you tried Radd cruisers? Lot closer to you. This was the only north american google hit that came up. Australia is probably the best source but I have had issues getting anyone to return calls/emails in the past.

 

[tuffcitycruiser]

Page 038 Land Cruiser Diesel Engine Rebuild Kits

Have you tried Radd cruisers? Lot closer to you. This was the only north american google hit that came up. Australia is probably the best source but I have had issues getting anyone to return calls/emails in the past.

I used to go to this shop but a few years ago the owner John told me they would no longer be working on cruisers... I'll give them a shout though and see if this is still the case