Anyone rebuilt their own 3B?

[DieselROCKS]

Hey Guys,

I've got no oil pressure and she's beginning to knock. It only has 300k kms on it so it must have been really abused before I took ownership of it.

I've got a warm garage and another car to drive, so I got thinking I could it myself minus the machining work. In high school (a few years ago), I hauled an old diesel Rabbit from the bush and rebuilt it without problems. My brother is still driving it today.

I've been reading up on it in the FSM, and it doesn't seem too crazy, does it? The way the book reads everything comes apart. Parts are available. And I have plenty of clean space. And also,the rebuild shops around here either hasn't heard of the 3B or hadn't done any.

Also while the engine is out, is it worth it to take the injector pump out for testing/put in bio diesel friendly seals?

Thanks for the replies
Geoff

 

[cruiser_guy]

I rebuilt the 3B in my daughters FJ55 and it was no big deal. I had the shop do the liners and boring as well as install the pistons, crank and cam bearings. I had the injector pump checked as well.
Quite frankly though, you probably can get a 13B-T for about the same end cost.

 

[DieselROCKS]

Quite frankly though, you probably can get a 13B-T for about the same end cost.

Wow, hadn't thought that.

Another question I forgot to ask.....I've seen the 4 Wheel Auto $1500 rebuild kit but what am I looking at for costs assuming the worst?

 

[cody c]

the 4wheel auto kit is going for $1350 right now, but i bought a good used 3b for $1500 with alt,starter,inj pump,intake andexhaust manifold etc. look in the buy and sell and i think theres a few other places too. sometimes near vancouver or on the island. wayne (crushersrule) sometimes has a motor sitting around too.

 

[cody c]

actually i see there is a bj6o on ebay with 400,000 kms for $100. its out east though.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Figure machining at about $2000. Add the kit at $1500 for easy calculations and your at $3500 and you get nothing for your labor!

 

[crushers]

i have rebuilt a number of 3Bs over the years.
get a kit from Oz for about $1000 or Dan for $1300+ (convience vs dollar)(for me convience is more important than percieved savings)
machining can run anywhere from $800-$2000 depending on the shop.

i only replace the liners if there is a need, in my case there was 2 engine blocks that needed resleeving. you can replace the pistons if the ring groves are worn,piston has damage other wise there is no real benefit.
i would pull down the engine, mic everything to see what you need. get the factory service manual, it is invaluable.
there will be a good chance that you will need rings, con rod, mains, gasket set, head rebuild kit (about $600-$800). hone the sleeves but get all the parts cleaned professionally. the frost plugs should all be taken out and replaces but i usually eyeball them and if there is corrosion present i replace them. GET RID OF THE BLOCK HEATER, these buggers seem to always leak after a rebuild so replce with either a new block heater or a frost plug.
get the head done by a shop since you will need a new head anyway. one from Geoff walsh comes complete with new prechambers which are prone to cracking as well.
that is all i can think of for now...
be realistic when it comes to years of service you want out of the engine, how strong is the body or frame of the truck this engine is going into. do not plan on selling the engien after the truck is gone, you "might" get $1000 for it. when it comes to used engines Cruiserheads are a cheap bunch.
cheers

 

[wckgitcrazy]

Rebuilt 3b

My son spun a bearing in mine, destroyed every machined part in the engine.. Close to parting out but my wife talked me into fixing. Budgeted $5000. I looked for a used engine but usually it came with a vehicle so rusted out and high mileage that the work involved to replace would have been a crap shoot as to how long the used engine would last.

It was really a no brainer as I had about $16,000. in over the years with the initial purchase cost, aqualu tub, paint etc. Get a kit from Ausy. new pistons liners the works delivered to your door in less than a week for around $1300.

I had the crank ground and ordered applicable bearings. Beware early 3b cams are 3 bearing, later are 4 or 5 not sure. I had to get a new one sent from Japan as mine was too far out of spec to be polished. Cam rebuilder servicing all of Canada has their shop in Salmon Arm and offer to regrind the lobes but could not convince me the duration etc.. would not change and I would lose power so went new.

Find a good machine shop to clean, magnafux install new frost pugs, liners, bore and hone to your new piston specs. They will install new bushings in your rods, cam bearings and basically do all that you want them to. I stopped at the above and went from there myself as I am an old chevy man having built more than a few 57's in my youth. It is great when checking tolerences to find the specs as new. Great machine shop. I even had to source a decent rocker assembly as mine was toast, thanks, Wayne, Darryl.....

To make a long story short I chose to do a frame off at the same time so money went fast and have about another 10 grand in and still not finished, and est. that $5000. of that is engine. I am set up to weld and am replacing all rusted metal in the cowel an adding other goodies, diesel filter, 24v pump, redoing the electronics, rear discs, saginaw power, that was fun making a pump mount. Sometime this spring or summer I will have what amounts to a new old Cruiser. I built it and know that I will not have to touch the engine at least for a very long time.

That being said I intend to keep my cruiser and my kids will get it only when I am gone. If you have a beater and thats all you want it for you need to decide used on the cheap or rebuild for mega $$$.

Have a great New Year all,,, bill...

 

[brownbear]

try Lucky on here, he had a 60 with an arb for 1500 in Calgary.

That is the easiest option.

If you truck is mint, rebuild it.

if not.......... big decision time.

 

[DieselROCKS]

Yeah, my truck is surprisingly mint considering the time its been here.

I've been looking around for rust buckets or the ever elusive (sp?) 13b-t.

I'll just keep my eye open for something to pop up.

Thanks for the replies, happy new year

 

[Spore]

I am currently rebuilding my 3b and did some research on rebuile kits. The best deal I found was through Allhead in AU. They sell a full kit for ~AU$700. This is the same outfit that makes those nickel-alloy heads everyone raves about.