Any Recent B Overhauls Out There?

[Cruisertron]

I just bought an '84 BJ-40 here in Panama and have started a frame-off build. The B engine is in my shop and will get an overhaul straight away. The block, head, etc. is going to the machine shop this week.

I've searched the forums for hours and haven't found too much stuff on the B engine. Quite a bit on the 3B though. Are there any B guys out there anymore?? Not interested in turbo as it's hard to find good enough roads around here to cruise at 90 Kph.

The local Toyota dealer has quoted me a pretty steep price for the usual replacement parts; gasket kit, pistons, rings, sleeves, valves etc. More than $2000 in fact.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[RufusTheDufus]

That price is pretty good if they are supplying Toyota parts. Aftermarket rebuild parts can be had for around $1500 - $1800 with the best deals being in Australia.

 

[albert rodrigues]

B engine thread

Try searching the thread below started by lostmarbles. There is a lot of good information regarding the B engine and parts he has sourced for his future re-build. With the recent drop in prices, you can probably save some money by purchasing a rebuild kit from AU. Good luck!

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tec...7cc-b-3431cc-3b-parts-interchangeability.html

 

[Cruisertron]

Thanks! There is good information there. Interestingly, my B also has the exhaust maifold with the 3 bolt pipe flange and the 3B type oil cooler.

I found another source in Panama for my engine parts, made in Japan, but under half the price Toyota quoted. Some parts have the brand name Taiho which seems to be a division of Toyota. I'm a little suspicious of the price difference though, and am concerned that the quality might be poor.

I have been warned to stay away from parts made in Taiwan. Any thoughts on my dilemma?

 

[lostmarbles]

Thanks! There is good information there. Interestingly, my B also has the exhaust maifold with the 3 bolt pipe flange and the 3B type oil cooler.

I found another source in Panama for my engine parts, made in Japan, but under half the price Toyota quoted. Some parts have the brand name Taiho which seems to be a division of Toyota. I'm a little suspicious of the price difference though, and am concerned that the quality might be poor.

I have been warned to stay away from parts made in Taiwan. Any thoughts on my dilemma?

My limited budget often pressures me to go for the cheaper option.

And I've found you don't always win when you fork out more dollars and exercise bias based on some "comfort-feeling" about "country of manufacture" or whatever. (I've still received poor quality - even when buying genuine Toyota parts!)

And so many trusted companies are now outsourcing their wares from "emerging Asian manufacturers" and hiding that fact.

IMO ...All goods coming out of Taiwan are not bad - and that includes vehicle/engine parts.

But I'm not going to go so far as to say that those parts I bought from Engine Australia are "as good as - or better than genuine Toyota". .... I just don't know yet.

I think you must make your own decision based on your budget and "feelings".

 

[rockcrawler]

I agree that sometimes non genuine parts can be good though personally when it comes to vital engine parts I would go for genuine or at least quality parts. I have a friend in an engine rebuild shop and his word is that cheap kits do not last anywhere near as long as good ones. He also told me to make sure that the kit is fresh and hasn't been sitting on the shelf for years as the stresses in liners can make them go out of round after a while, enough to cause a problem at the finishing stage. I told him I would leave the sourcing of the kit to him as he knows what sort of job I am after. One less headache for me to worry about.

 

[Cruisertron]

I see that I lost my pics My overhaul is at a bit of a standstill since learning that the head is shot.

Well, my first day spent searching (well around work of course!) for a used head in decent condition. Nada.

Found a new one for $1200.

Heard that there is an outfit at the Panamanian/Costa Rica border that might have a used one. This might work out as I'm heading that way next week.

Machine shop is going to start on sleeve installation and crankshaft repair etc. so at least I'm making a little progress.

 

[lostmarbles]

Hi Cruisertron

I remember you saying in one of the "lost posts" that your head was "out of spec" (or something like that) - but what exactly was wrong with it (if you don't mind me asking)?



PS. My BJ40 has done 250,000kms and has had a hard life (lots of towing with foot-to-the-floor) but it has always had clean coolant, regular oil & filter changes, and never been overheated. And so far (touch wood) ..... I haven't had any engine problems at all.

 

[Cruisertron]

Hi Cruisertron

I remember you saying in one of the "lost posts" that your head was "out of spec" (or something like that) - but what exactly was wrong with it (if you don't mind me asking)?



PS. My BJ40 has done 250,000kms and has had a hard life (lots of towing with foot-to-the-floor) but it has always had clean coolant, regular oil & filter changes, and never been overheated. And so far (touch wood) ..... I haven't had any engine problems at all.

Good question. I believe that they said it was outside of limits. I'm guessing warped? No cracks.

Your engine sounds like it is in great shape. The key is definitely the scheduled maintenance (and the hard driving). Have you owned it since it was overhauled?

When I opened up this engine, it was quite clear that the PO didn't worry much about mx. Lot's of sludge, the filter was solid sludge.

I just want to start from scratch and then there will be no doubts in my mind. I'm excited to get this BJ40 on the road.

 

[lostmarbles]

Good question. I believe that they said it was outside of limits. I'm guessing warped? No cracks....

You're paying them money for their opinion/assessment. And besides that - a new head is expensive (as you already know). So I think you deserve a written report (including the exact reason why they consider the head to be "not economically salvageable").

You should not be given vague verbal statements and left unsure.

..Your engine sounds like it is in great shape. The key is definitely the scheduled maintenance (and the hard driving). Have you owned it since it was overhauled? ...

Others get better compression figures than me so I guess it isn't in tremendous condition - but it starts and runs fine and is reliable with sufficient power and that's what really matters to me.

It has never been overhauled yet (but I bought some overhaul parts for "peace of mind" in case they become scarce in the future). To date the biggest work on it has been replacing the glow plugs and injector pump diaphragm (which are just "regular maintenance items" really).

 

[Cruisertron]

You're paying them money for their opinion/assessment. And besides that - a new head is expensive (as you already know). So I think you deserve a written report (including the exact reason why they consider the head to be "not economically salvageable").

Good idea...report will be sought. Thanks.