97 Lxfofiddys build (2 Viewers)

[Lxfofiddy]

So I'm gonna start a build page for my 97 lx450. I'm really new to forums and hoping this turns into something I like. This is gonna be a slow build considering I'm not rich by any means, and we all know how deep this gets.

So leta just jump into it...the vehicle is a 97 lx with around 220k on it. I bought it with a horrible knock. It will start up but sounds like its knocking on heavens door. It is triple locked and pretty clean. I have an extra motor that supposedly was pulled from a running truck with 175k on it. I'm not sure how long it sat or if it did in fact still run. So the plan of right now is get the spare engine on a stand, strip it, go ahead and do the normal head gasket, arp studs, get everything checked. Them throw the wits end turbo on it. I could maybe just drop in the engine as is but really hate to take that risk.

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Heres a couple shots of the spare engine and transmission. Nothing great yet. But soon I'm hoping to have a real bomb proof rig

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Today I split the trans from the engine. No issue with getting the torque converter off or getting the flywheel off. Did run into a problem with my engine stand though. It's just a cheapo from harbor freight and couldnt get two of the arms adjusted to mate with the block. Ordered some extensions from jegs hoping that will give me the adjustment I need. Also the bolts are m12x1.25 3.5" length perfect with one washer for me.

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Also got a.new rear carpet. 409 carpet cleaner really brought it back to life. A before of my mismatched grey and the new cleaned brown

 

[Lxfofiddy]

I got some of the engine torn down today

 

[Lxfofiddy]

I finally got around to degreasing some of the block and timing cover before I go on much farther. At a pretty solid pausing point to get things degreed well. Will start talking to a machine shop and getting parts ordered. I've taken about 300 pics as I went. I'll try to upload them with some sort of caption and order when I can find time. Thanks for looking as always

 

[Rusty Marlin]

In for a penny, in for a pound as they say... are you planning a full rebuild with .02" overbore too? You know, "while your in there".
Mr. T recommends such a procedure at 180K per FSM.

Looks like you have a couple of projects there, what's the scooter in the back ground, a late 60's cafe racer? Appears to have drum brakes.

 

[Lxfofiddy]

In for a penny, in for a pound as they say... are you planning a full rebuild with .02" overbore too? You know, "while your in there".
Mr. T recommends such a procedure at 180K per FSM.

Looks like you have a couple of projects there, what's the scooter in the back ground, a late 60's cafe racer? Appears to have drum brakes.

HA! I'm not sure what I plan on doing to the block yet. Just winging it. And that's a cb200 that just takes up space. Really just need to get it out of my way. I have a 1955 19' lyman wood boat that takes some of my project time

 

[Lxfofiddy]

First thing I removed and got out of my way was the power steering reservoir. Removed the 3 bolts attaching it to the upper plenum and took the low pressure lines with it

 

[patrickk]

Nice progress so far. Welcome. I don't have a whole lot for you with the engine, but these guys will surely help you out if you run into any issues.

 

[Lxfofiddy]

The engine had came with most of the electrical still connected to the block. Next step for me was to start getting some of the mess out of the way so I could actually see what I was working with. I started with the driver side starter, alternator and ground wires. All of this should still be attached in the truck but I took my time labeling what I could and making sure not to brake clips in case of future use

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Nice progress so far. Welcome. I don't have a whole lot for you with the engine, but these guys will surely help you out if you run into any issues.

Thanks so much

 

[Lxfofiddy]

A couple more of the drivers side ground and electrical going back

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Next I removed, bagged and tagged the pcv valve and valve cover breather hose. The pcv line is the smaller of the two. All of these lines will be replaced but I'm still bagging everything to keep track of clips/extra odds and ends as well as it's nice beeing able to compare gose shapes to the old ones

 

[Lxfofiddy]

I then removed the heater hard pipe running along the top of the passenger side of the valve cover. I removed the two nuts from above the thermostat housing and then undid the bracket bolts running along the valve cover. These will just be cleaned and a new gasket added at the base

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Next I removed the rear cable bracket all the way at the rear of the head

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Next I undid the two 10mm holding the wire covers and then removed 1 of the wire guides. It was missing the other two. Then I just undid the 3 8mm bolts from the actual distributor.

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Next I removed the egr valve along with the vacuum lines going to the throttle body

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Next was getting the rest of the driver side starter and fuse block removed.

 

[Lxfofiddy]

Some reference pics of the front and driver side.