Complete Rebuild @ 188k Miles

[Blue Phoenix]

About two months ago I decided to have my engine rebuilt after having a bunch of small issues with my engine that collectively added up to big losses in power and efficiency.
The problems it began with were a blown valve cover gasket, a HG on its way out the door, and oil leaks all around. Im very petty when it comes to problems and rather than not fixing anything till it broke, I opted for a more precautious, some would say OCD, route.
The work I had done was as follows:
- milled the head
- new pistons, rings, valves, valve springs, etc.
- engine mapped and balanced
- all new gaskets
- all new hoses
- injectors ultrasonically cleaned
- engine cleaned and repainted
- new battery connections, fusible links replaced
- new exhaust

 

[Blue Phoenix]

- This first picture shows the oil deposits thrown all over the front of the engine over time and my prinstine engine bay.
- Second photo shows a closer shot of all the buildup.
- How does my HG look to the more trained eyes? My mechanic said the #5 cylinder was the worst when I had the compression checked at 112 PSI. The next lowest was 120 PSI for the #2 and up from there 145 and up for the rest of the cylinders.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

- From this shot you can see the oil on the left side of the block. Im not sure where this would come from since the oil filter lies further to the front of the block.
- After 190k some odd miles this looks pretty good.
- Ahhh a beautiful piece of craftsmanship if I do say so myself.

 

[aclos3]

Congrats! You have a seriously over-and-rebuilt rig that will likely carry you for the next 200k+ with minimal issues. I have looked at all kinds of new vehicles available today and I wouldn't trade any of them for the 80. The blue book value doesn't tell the whole story; in terms of comfort, safety, build quality, rugged off road capability and "badass" factor here is simply nothing built like these that you can buy today. How many others have fully locked, quiet, ultra stable and posh vehicles with solid front axles?

I have friends and family that have SUVs and trucks that are only at a fraction of the age and miles of my vehicle. Guess which one they all want to take skiing? (Sample is 06 Lexus RX 330 AWD, 01 Silverado LT Z71 w/40k miles, 04 Xterra supercharged w/70k, 06 Tacoma 4x4 with 30k)

Which test told you that your head gasket was on the way out? They usually fail pretty quickly!

 

[aclos3]

Oops, I posted before the pictures!

 

[Blue Phoenix]

- Another one from the backside...NICE
- The space between
- Im so glad I decided to have someone else do this.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

- replacing the engine...so clean.
- my cleaned injectors.
- almost ready.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

This rebuild is just one more tick off the list of the build Im in the middle of right now. I guess its fair to say Ive just begun, but over the next year more will be added (MetalTech sliders were just put on) in preparation for multiple overland trips planned in the future.

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Aclos3- Part of it for me was suspicion. I was beginning to smell unnatural amounts of fuel (I know its normal, but this was ALOT) to begin with. Also, I am OBSESSED with PM and I noticed after coming back on leave that there was oil/coolant pooling all over the bottom of the engine. It had never leaked before at all.
The two factors that did it for me were the Blackstone Test that I did before I left and the compression test. Im not sure sure what normal ranges are, so the real Cruiserheads will have to chime in on that one, but my numbers were as follows:
#1- 150
#2- 120
#3- 145
#4- 153
#5- 112---This one was leaking from the HG outside the engine down the left side.
#6- 138

 

[gotmud]

I went through the same thing last year on my '94. Very few people can understand the rationale for spending that kind of time and money on a 13y/o vehicle, since most people drive throw-away cars to begin with.
Even w/o airbags and creature comforts many newer vehicles have, I prefer my 80 over most anything else out there.

 

[ardentyota]

Did you have someone local clean your injectors, or did you send them out?

 

[Blue Phoenix]

I agree completely with the deal about people not understanding...my father continues to chastise me. I care not. Even my wife knows Im never getting rid of this vehicle. So long term, its still cheaper than getting a new vehicle.

I had the shop that rebuilt the engine clean the injectors for me.

 

[bwr9300]

If you don't mind me asking, Blue Phoenix, how much did all that cost?

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Youre not the first to ask and probably not the last. Cost was right around ~$4000 for the whole job. I think thats in the middle for the work I had done, maybe closer to the high end.

 

[silverhorse]

Nice job! I'm in the middle of doing the same. I look at it the same way, if taken care of these things will last for a long time.

 

[bwr9300]

looks great. I've got a 95 w 187k miles. Had it only 3 weeks... motors knockin a little bit, I wanna take care of this rig and keep it a long long time. Thanks for the thread... now I know what to work towards

 

[lacruiser]

Youre not the first to ask and probably not the last. Cost was right around ~$4000 for the whole job. I think thats in the middle for the work I had done, maybe closer to the high end.

Did you do any of the work yourself? Like R&R?

Did you use Toyota or aftermarket parts on the engine (gasket set and piston/rings)?

Since you didn't mention it, I assume you were able to use standard size pistons without the need to rebore the block?

You also did the bottom end (rod and main) bearings?

That seems like a very decent price for going through the engine.

Since you mentioned excessive fuel odor, did you locate the source of that problem?

 

[Blue Phoenix]

Problem is Im in Afghanistan right now, so all of the work I would have done before hand, especially easy things I left to the shop.

Extensive PM has been done the entire time Ive owned the truck, so some of the hoses and belts were maintained only because of their new condition.

I used all OEM Toyota parts for the build sourced through the machine shop that performed the work. As far as the pistons go, stock pistons were used in lieu of anything aftermarket mostly because I wanted to maintain as much stock as I could.

All of the bearings and rods were replaced as well, I forgot to mention that before.

Ive had alot of work done at this shop recently, sliders and tires among other custom work, which is part of the reason I got a lower price.

I think it may have been burning rich because of the extremely low compression in two of the cylinders along with me needing new spark plugs (my laziness).

 

[CJF]

How does my HG look to the more trained eyes?

Not seeing a HG pic.