Best place to get a valve job? (1 Viewer)

[78crzr]

I'm going to give my 40 a Jim C. rebuilt carb. and a valve job for Christmas and I'm wondering where the best place to get the valve job would be. It's beyond my capability at the moment and I don't have the time to f**k it up. Would the dealer rape you on something like this versus a local mechanic-type shop? Suggestions?

 

[CruisinGA]

You mean valve adjustment?
Not hard at all!
Only tools involved are 14mm socket, flathead screwdriver, and a .08, and .13 feeler guages (little shim deals)
That said, it should take an experienced mechanic 20-40 minutes on a 40 to do.

 

[Dianna]

Come over, I've been told i give a good :-*... oh VALVE job :-[, nevermind. Ha ha, just kidding guys, thought you would enjoy that!

 

[78crzr]

Dianna-Bad Girl, Bad Bad Girl!!!

Like the way you think!!!!!

 

[IDave]

Now, what grade did you say you taught?

 

[FJ40Jim]

[quote author=78crzr link=board=1;threadid=8781;start=msg75663#msg75663 date=1071447180]
I'm going to give my 40 a Jim C. rebuilt carb. and a valve job for Christmas and I'm wondering where the best place to get the valve job would be. It's beyond my capability at the moment and I don't have the time to f**k it up. Would the dealer rape you on something like this versus a local mechanic-type shop? Suggestions?
[/quote]

The Toyota dealer is not much use for any toyota product more than 5 years old, IMHO. I used to work there, and that's one of the reasons that I quit. All the Toyo dealers do is warranty replacement of radios, and brake jobs & T-belts on Camrys. It's good money, but deadly boring. The kids that work in the dealership aren't as old as your Cruiser and most of them don't even know it's a toyota. "You mean that Jeep is a Toyota?!"

If you want to get a valve adjustment and good tune-up, I would recommend a reputable import car specialist. American cars haven't needed valve adjustments for a loong time (yeah I know, a few did) and Toyotas don't get valve adjustments anymore either, so few people are well versed in it. As someone else said here, it can be done in 40 minutes by a skilled operator, just make sure you find a skilled operator.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Wow-Jim C. himself on Ih8mud! Here is an unsolicited testimonial....The best money I ever spent on my FJ-40, no question, is a carb rebuild from Jim. The last 2 years since the rebuild my 40 runs like new (well almost). Also, with this carb I have sailed through California smog with low hydrocarbon and CO emissions. This is not to mention the flawless running at crazy angles(Rubicon X3) and high altitudes(Dusy-Ershim).

Regarding a valve job-If you don't pull the head yourself, it will be pretty expensive. If you live near one of the Land Cruiser speciality places like Mudrak, Jim C., etc, I would take it to them. If you just mean a valve adjustment-it's pretty easy and difficult to screw up. You should at least attempt this youself, and learn something important about your Cruiser. Those are nice presents for your 40, it will be very happy!

 

[Dianna]

[quote author=IDave link=board=1;threadid=8781;start=msg75699#msg75699 date=1071455947]
Now, what grade did you say you taught?
[/quote]

Yes, I'm a teacher... 5th and 6th graders in a city school where I think the kids probably are more "experienced" than me!!! Believe it or not teachers are some of the wildest, freakiest people I know! When school is out, the hair bun comes down and the glasses come off, who knows what could happen!

 

[red66toy]

[quote author=Cruiserdrew link=board=1;threadid=8781;start=msg76044#msg76044 date=1071518773]
Wow-Jim C. himself on Ih8mud! Here is an unsolicited testimonial....The best money I ever spent on my FJ-40, no question, is a carb rebuild from Jim. The last 2 years since the rebuild my 40 runs like new (well almost). Also, with this carb I have sailed through California smog with low hydrocarbon and CO emissions. This is not to mention the flawless running at crazy angles(Rubicon X3) and high altitudes(Dusy-Ershim)..[/quote]


How much does it cost to get the carb rebuilt by Jim C.? Sounds like it would be good to do.

 

[CruisinGA]

[quote author=Dianna link=board=1;threadid=8781;start=msg76532#msg76532 date=1071606583]
Yes, I'm a teacher... 5th and 6th graders in a city school where I think the kids probably are more "experienced" than me!!! Believe it or not teachers are some of the wildest, freakiest people I know! When school is out, the hair bun comes down and the glasses come off, who knows what could happen!
[/quote]
Uh... I think theres an opening at my high school....

 

[Cruiserdrew]

How much does it cost to get the carb rebuilt by Jim C.? Sounds like it would be good to do.


You can just click on his name-he responds to email and we arranged shipping that way. Cost was about $275, but likely has gone up.

 

[78crzr]

Jim quoted me $295.00 if paid in cash or cash equivalent, and $304.00 if paid via Paypal. I'll be sending mine off tomorrow or Thursday. I hear nothing but great things about his work and he has been very good about responding to e-mails, questions, etc. Here's the information he sent me:

Here is a break down of a performance carb rebuild:
- Disassemble and Inspect for wear
- Clean in Chemical Tank
- Replace Parts: Float, Needle, Seat, Power Valve, Secondary Diaphragm, Copper & Aluminum Sealing Washers, Gaskets & Seals
- Rejet as necessary
- Modify for improved performance
- Test run on a Cruiser Engine
- Dial in Idle Speed and Mixture
- Return Shipping via UPS Ground

Indicators that a carb needs maintenance include hard starting, poor idle, loss of power or low mpg. Many customers send me carbs that have never been rebuilt. In this case they simply are in desperate need of cleaning to remove 25 years of internal grime. A properly functioning carb on a well maintained engine should achieve 12-16 mpg. Each carb rebuild is unique based upon the customer's needs & driving habits.

Currently, the turnaround time for a carb rebuild is two weeks. This is not always the case. If you are interested in having me rebuild your carb, please call or e-mail me and I can update you on my work load. If downtime is a concern, let me know so we can both make the necessary arrangements to do overnight shipping, before you remove the carb.

Please box carb with a note indicating your driving habits, emissions requirements, any modifications to vehicle, return shipping address, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, other contact info. Drain carb of gas & remove air cleaner stud. Double bag and pack in a large rigid box with several inches of cushioning material on all sides. At the top please enclose an envelope containing your note and payment.

 

[fsusteve]

I've heard he does great work, but what's a new carb run?

 

[CruisinGA]

I've seen them around $450. Not worth it vs a goo rebuild IMO.