Anyone in Portland, OR area have a shop they trust?

[Dwon]

I have a blown head gasket and need to have it fixed along with my 90 K stuff (timing belt, water pump, etc). I'm at 180K so I'm considering just going with a new OEM Longblock instead of having the engine pulled apart and put back together by the guys at the local dealer (they put the brake pads in wrong before so I'm not 100% confident in their ability, which is why I do all the work I can myself from now on, but this job is too big for me).

Does anyone in the Portland, OR area trust a local land cruiser repair shop with their LC to repair or completely rebuild their engine. I plan on driving my rig until I die and then my son will drive it until he dies, and grandson, and so on... If I didn't plan on keeping it forever, I'd let the dealer fix it for now and not worry about longevity, but a new OEM longblock with 0 miles on it kind of makes sense.

The other question is about getting a new OEM longblock. Anyone know of a cheaper source than the dealer?

 

[PDXLX]

There are two great shops. Neither are terribly fast but they are very thorough

Landcrusier Specalties in Oregon City

landcruiserspecialties.com

Crusiers NW

landcruisernw.com

 

[Dwon]

Have you used either? I've been to both shops and looked around but not talked to anyone. Land Cruiser NW seemed like they really get into the rigs but they also looked kind of scattered. Land Cruiser Specialties looked like they mostly did cosmetic stuff. I have no first hand experience with either, but from the outside that's my first impressions. What's your experience with them? Where would you go to have your engine rebuilt?

 

[Dwon]

My local dealer says Toyota doesn't sell OEM longblocks or reman longblocks. Anyone have good or bad experience with a specific reman longblock source? (real life experience)

 

[PDXLX]

I haven't taken my 100 to either but have taken my 62 to both.

Landcruiser Specailties is very good at OEM rebuild and repair work. They are not cheap but they do great work. It's pretty much a one man operation so if he's under the hood all day you may not get your inquires answered right away. That said he really knows his cruisers, takes his time and gets it right. His focus tends to be more OEM driven
By comparison, Cruisers NW do a lot more custom fad work. They will to repair and rebuilding as well. They can be faster as they have many more hands but they also spread themselves over many projects and sometimes things fall through the cracks.

Both garages are trust worthy and I wouldn't hesitate taking my 100 to either if I didn't enjoy getting my hands dirty as much as I do.

 

[Dwon]

Landcruiser Specalties is out of business. The neighbor shop said he's now operating out of his garage. So that won't work. I may go with a different dealership.

 

[apdxyk]

1st Japanese Auto on the corner of NW 16th Ave and NW Johnson. Not specialists on Cruisers in the name, but they have done a number of them and did enguine rebuilds extensively in the past. Now that owner Bill Gallagher is pushing 80, his boys also take it easier. But they dig the engines alright. I had an engine work (and many others) done there in past.
Bill is a retired engineer, used to build Navy rigs in his younger years, he is a speck stickler. Be prepared to see an oil that conforms to the speck, no other fluids will go in. Not exactly our case, but I saw customers arguing when he would order some Idemitsu, Motul, Eneos or whatever exotic oil would go into their exotic toys. The shop doesn't look upscale, but they are good. You can negotiate there within a reason, btw.
[Range Rovers specialist shop is next to them]

Added: they work Monday through Thursday

 

[OregonLC]

I'm sure you've vetted it out already Dwon, but are you 100% certain that you're in need of a new head gasket? I think this is maybe the 2nd one I've seen on MUD. Water/oil mixing? Low compression? Hoping there is a better outcome for you.

That said, I'm not sure I'd be afraid to pull the head myself. Once you have the front off for the t-belt, it's just headers and intake and you're almost there. And 'while you're in there'... grab the starter too.

 

[Dwon]

Turns out it was just the valve covers leaking, a $280 fix so not as worried as I was, and I might do it myself. Its still nice to see if there's any place near here where I could get major work done if I needed. Wish I lived near Colorado and I'd take it to Slee.

 

[OregonLC]

Phew! Great news!

 

[Magnetic 111]

I'm one of the parts guys for Tonkin here in Portland. Most of my customers are body shops, but I have a few that do regular mechanical work. I just had a shop in Sherwood install my headers, and build a custom exhaust system for my 100, and he might be a good source to chat with. (He actually pointed out last week that my valve covers were leaking, but being a relatively simple job I'll just do that at home myself) If you need anything done, talk to Dustin @ H2 Performance, (971) 224-5756. He does some really high end stuff out there, and he knows what he's talking about. (trust me, I've seen it) If he can't, I'm sure he'll know someone that can do the work for you. (if you still need it)

 

[Dwon]

I'm one of the parts guys for Tonkin here in Portland. Most of my customers are body shops, but I have a few that do regular mechanical work. I just had a shop in Sherwood install my headers, and build a custom exhaust system for my 100, and he might be a good source to chat with. (He actually pointed out last week that my valve covers were leaking, but being a relatively simple job I'll just do that at home myself) If you need anything done, talk to Dustin @ H2 Performance, (971) 224-5756. He does some really high end stuff out there, and he knows what he's talking about. (trust me, I've seen it) If he can't, I'm sure he'll know someone that can do the work for you. (if you still need it)

Thanks!

 

[PDXLX]

Landcruiser Specalties is out of business. The neighbor shop said he's now operating out of his garage. So that won't work. I may go with a different dealership.

I had no idea he closed shop but is has been over a year since I was down that way.

 

[LCS]

Landcruiser Specalties is out of business. The neighbor shop said he's now operating out of his garage. So that won't work. I may go with a different dealership.

This is a prime example to not always believe what you hear! Not out of business. Yes, I moved the business to my own 5 acre property (got tired of paying high rent), but not working out of my garage (unless you consider almost 7000 sq. ft. a garage). Still in Oregon City, just 5 miles south off Hwy 213. Anybody is welcome to stop by and check things out.