3fe to 3fe motor transplant question (1 Viewer)

[deathpunkbaby]

After finding a small, but significant, piece of metal in my oil pan while chasing down a leak, I’m swapping a lower mileage (200k), well-cared for 3fe in my FJ62. A bit oil seepage up , but nothing bad. According to PO, cold compression was 157-165, had regular oil changes, valve adjustments. My question is: is it worth it to swap over my current head that 4-5 years on a rebuild, provided it still checks out, or just let sleeping dogs lie, keep the head/block sealed and just change out hoses/seals and the basics and swap it in otherwise as is? I knew the bottom end was pretty well shot up when i rebuilt the head, but couldn’t do much about it at the time.

 

[ntdb]

I did a 2f to 2f swap and opted to leave the newer engine alone since it was running well. How many miles are on that rebuilt head? If it’s still a relatively fresh rebuild and you have some patience to spare then it could be worth doing the swap along with fresh gaskets. It might be nice to see how the inside of your new engine looks too.

 

[pithicus]

Leave the new engine intact and save a lot of work, would be my choice. Unless it badly needs valve stem seals.

 

[YooperCruiser]

I would do front and rear seals and oil pan gasket while it's out

 

[Seth S]

I would do front and rear seals and oil pan gasket while it's out

agreed. Do any of the seals/gaskets that are easy or easier while it’s out. Clean and degrease.

 

[deathpunkbaby]

 

[deathpunkbaby]

View attachment 2356187

Here’s the transplant valve train. Looks clean enough. I think I’ll put it in As is and see how it runs. I’ll hang on to the rebuilt head for a while and hope I don’t need it. It has 25k on it and was rebuilt w Toyota stem seals.

 

[pithicus]

Looks very clean. One thing, if the big freeze plug at the back of the head is made of steel, it's a good idea to replace it. They are impossible to replace with the engine in. They do rust and spring a leak eventually.

 

[Seth S]

Rest easy too....if you don't need the old engine/top end you wont have issue selling it.

 

[SteveH]

Do the side cover gasket behind the distributor while the engine is out, if needed.

 

[4Cruisers]

Was the oil galley plug fix done to the replacement 3FE? If not, do it now.

 

[4Cruisers]

And note that the size of the flywheel bolts changed in October 1989 (see my Post #5 here: Clutch flywheel bolts).