A 4BD1T for Ellinor, and Some Other Projects

[Conkhi]

yeah I think the NV4500 would be the easier/wiser/quicker choice. I just been think about this saving monies and what not for the last few years and reading the oz forums vs USA forums seems to differ in approach. Keep up the good work you got me exited again to work on my engine.
Did you rebuild your engine yet ? I have a rudy's rebuild kit and some oem piston rings that I will be using. Others say rudy's kits are good.

 

[SilverbackLlama]

Speaking of taking forever, I finally ordered my gasket kit from the local Isuzu dealer. I decided to forego replacing the cylinder liners, because they all look brand new (sadly, I don't have any documentation to back that up). There's a bit of carbon build-up at the top of each sleeve, which is to be expected, but when I run my fingernail across the top of the stroke area into the combustion chamber area, there's no noticeable ledge.

4BD1T Pistons

• SilverbackLlama
• Mar 18, 2019

#1 (TL), #2 (TR), #3 (BL), #4 (BR)

Also of note is the cross-hatch pattern that is still present (please pardon the flash, I'm not normally a fan, but it was the best way to depict what was actually going on with the parts).

4BD1T Cylinder Liner (#2)

• SilverbackLlama
• Mar 18, 2019

Anyway, all four cylinders look like this one. Almost as if the liners were replaced recently and the the piston rings haven't even had time to wear them in. Or am I thinking of a gas engine with steel cylinders and this thought process doesn't apply to chrome diesel cylinder liners... Either way, they look clean and good to me. Any thoughts?

 

[SilverbackLlama]

I haven't rebuilt it yet. Honestly, it's been sitting in pieces in my garage, for the last 6 months, taking a backseat to other projects. I have 5-year-old twins (Emma and Jack) and Cassie (@TheyCallMeRed) has a 5 year of her own. So my house can be a bit of a ruckus at times. I should have started a build thread months ago because it's given me a chance to redirect and get excited about it again!

Another thing that has me going again is Cassie and her found love of Land Cruisers. Since the trip that we did from Washington to South Carolina, she's been talking about wanting a 40. Well, for now, she's settled for a '90 FJ62 that we picked up from @Clickws (along with parts truck 62. I knew when we met (Cassie and me), that we had a lot in common, but you never really know someone until you know their taste in vehicles. And I found a keeper!

 

[cruisermatt]

Do you have ANY indication that you need to go any deeper into that engine? You did you take the head of? Was it a running engine?
I don’t advocate “fixing” or replacing parts just because you can... if it was running, leave it alone.

 

[SilverbackLlama]

I was told that it was running, but I never got to hear/see it. The seller had really good feedback and seemed to be in business for a while. The head is off. I wanted a look at the cylinders and pistons, and decided from the start that at a minimum is going to re-seal everything. As it stands, I don't see any reason to dig any deeper than I already have. Next step is to clean, paint, and reassemble. I do plan on an engine stand run prior to install.

 

[Conkhi]

Wow sounds like good times ahead.

I am still undecided on what transmission to use. But these builds are always great. I for one always think a full rebuild with a properly calibrated injection pump and proper oil and cooling updates are better to do when the engine is outside of a vehicle. I am excited to how this comes along waiting to see your crank case ventilation solution , your fuel filter water separator solution and your oil filter/bypass filter solution.

My engine was a NA engine so it had a open crankcase ventilation with some sort of tiny little catch can. My engine also had a single non bypass type of oil filter. At one point the previous owner did have a racor type of water fuel separator hooked up. Some of the gents here that had previously used 4bd1/2t engines have made some great low cost water fuel separators always neat to see what solutions people come up with for these engines.


EDIT: your engine looks nice and a reseal is probably all it needs. I personally would be more concerned about the injection pump running proper.

 

[SilverbackLlama]

Been spending a lot of time at work (not by choice) so not a lot of progress, but I did get some prep work done.

4BD1T Oil Pan

• SilverbackLlama
• Mar 26, 2019
• 2
• 4bd1t oil pan

Prepped Timing Cover and Tappet Covers

• SilverbackLlama
• Mar 26, 2019
• 4bd1t paint

Ordered some cam bearings today, and continuing to prep the block and head and rest of the parts.

 

[Hojack]

The older ya get the less time you find you have. I had the same story but it’s awesome when it finally starts coming together. Sourcing parts and availability can become a real delay and headache.

 

[Hojack]

That oil pan looks deep.

 

[SilverbackLlama]

If my research is right, something in the neighborhood of two gallons...

 

[SilverbackLlama]

Hojack, I guess I've been lucky. There's a truck shop about 15 minutes up the road that's been good and patient with me. They've found everything I've asked for, so far.

 

[SilverbackLlama]

Progress has been slow. The new cam bearings are installed, and the main and rod bearings are here. I took another look at the oil pump drive shaft and the associated gear on the cam and decided to replace them both.

Worn out oil pump drive gear

• SilverbackLlama
• Apr 20, 2019
• 4bd1t oil pump

4BD1T oil pump drive gear with worn teeth

Cam Shaft with Worn Gear Teeth

• SilverbackLlama
• Apr 20, 2019
• 4bd1t

4BD1T cam shaft with worn out oil pump drive gear teeth

Unfortunately the gear is integral to the cam and the whole thing had to go.

I did manage to get my front brakes replaced. The passenger side caliper had a seized piston, so she got new pads, rotors, and calipers.

 

[Hojack]

Progress has been slow. The new cam bearings are installed, and the main and rod bearings are here. I took another look at the oil pump drive shaft and the associated gear on the cam and decided to replace them both.

Worn out oil pump drive gear

• SilverbackLlama
• Apr 20, 2019
• 4bd1t oil pump

4BD1T oil pump drive gear with worn teeth

Cam Shaft with Worn Gear Teeth

• SilverbackLlama
• Apr 20, 2019
• 4bd1t

4BD1T cam shaft with worn out oil pump drive gear teeth

Unfortunately the gear is integral to the cam and the whole thing had to go.

I did manage to get my front brakes replaced. The passenger side caliper had a seized piston, so she got new pads, rotors, and calipers.

These swaps don’t happen overnight, especially with family life and work. One step at a time. Following along.

 

[SilverbackLlama]

Well, I've been in construction/renovation mode for the last couple of years. We bought a "fixer-upper" and the house and yard been very needy. The diesel swap took a back seat. I still have my 60 and the 4BD1T. They're both sitting at our new house, barely touched. But it's time to get going again.

Since the last post, the block was cleaned and painted. I was able to get the new cam, oil pump drive gear, main bearings, and rod bearings installed. I purchased a custom bell housing from Global Roamer out of Canada that will mate the 4BD1T to a Dogde NV4500. The path forward will be focused on getting the Isuzu back together, and running, and finding a suitable NV4500 for the swap. I'm currently planning on using a setup from Advanced Adapters to connect the NV4500 to the transfer case. The biggest question now is whether or not I'll be able to use the split case TC that I have, or if I'll have to stay with the 60's stock TC. Either way, I plan on swapping to the 4.11 axles and jumping from 31's to 35's.

I've also decided that I want to do a frame off restoration. I'm not planning on going original by any means (sorry purests) but functional and aesthetically pleasing. I was initially planning on keeping the factory blue, but I'm leaning more toward a new color.

I'll try to get some more pictures up soon. Thanks for reading and sorry for the long hiatus. Life is really good at getting in the way of well laid plans.

 

[gbogh]

You Air Force or Navy?

 

[cruisermatt]

The NV4500 adapter will work with any split cases.

I would stick with 3.73’s even with the 35’s

I would get the swap done and running before doing a frame-off... that way you can make sure everything works and put a lot of good test miles on it, do all your fabrication, not have to worry about scratching fresh paint. Plus, enjoyment sooner.

I’m working on 4BD1t swap down here in Florida now!

 

[SilverbackLlama]

You Air Force or Navy?

Navy

 

[SilverbackLlama]

 

[SilverbackLlama]

 

[SilverbackLlama]

I still need to go back and knock off the surface rust before I press forward. I also purchased an idler gear (maybe the wrong term, but the gear between the crank, cam, and IP) due to the wear on the bushing.