Does rebuilding the engine make sense if I want to sell the FJ? (1 Viewer)

[fil1983]

I am looking to sell my FJ60. I had the engine rebuilt less than 5k miles ago and blew something. I have no time/money to rebuild it again for my own purposes but I've never sold a non-running car before so don't know if there is a market and if its better to just bite the bullet and get the engine rebuilt and then sell. The truck has a ton of rebuilt items and OME suspension upgrades but after having a tree fall and damage the roof and fender plus the engine blowing, I just decided that this truck should go to someone that has the time/space for an old vehicle.

I'm located in the LA area so if any of you guys have advice on how to sell her, I'd appreciate it. I thought of donating for a tax write off but I put so much money into fixing it up that Id rather someone on here pick it up as a project or donor rather than scrap it.

 

[FishTown]

Perfect candidate for a V8. I'll take it off your hands if you want a Mudder to fix it up

 

[fil1983]

Perfect candidate for a V8. I'll take it off your hands if you want a Mudder to fix it up

I really do want it to have another chance at life. If you are interested, feel free to reach out and we can discuss.

 

[Spike Strip]

I'm in the L.A. area and I'd certainly give you more than what a donation/tax write-down would give.

When you say something 'blew' can you elaborate? How do you know the engine is shot and not just a head gasket?

Hey, and how'd you get down into the river? That's illegal

 

[fil1983]

I'm in the L.A. area and I'd certainly give you more than what a donation/tax write-down would give.

When you say something 'blew' can you elaborate?

I haven't gotten it inspected but I was driving on the 10 on my way to work and the truck lost almost all power and was making a horrible sound. I pulled over immediately and thought that maybe my exhaust had come lose. Had it towed and the shop that towed it said the engine has almost no oil and there was massive oil spray in the engine bay. Looked like near the top. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do at that point so I just had them tow it back to my place where it is now parked. I called the shop that did the initial rebuild to see what can be done but they are in northern California and I just couldn't get everything together to get it back up there for inspection/rebuild. For any serious party, I'm happy to meet people at the truck for a full visual inspection and if interested at that point, get the car towed to a mechanic for a proper inspection at buyers cost.

 

[Spike Strip]

Ok, you need to post who did the engine rebuild and did not do the obvious oil galley plug replacement with a threaded plug. That simple procedure that costs almost nothing when the head is off, cost you a motor. The plug blew and 8qts of oil get sprayed into the engine compartment in the blink of an eye (at 70 mph).

The engine is most likely toast.

I'm still interested.

 

[fil1983]

Ok, you need to post who did the engine rebuild and did not do the obvious oil galley plug replacement with a threaded plug. That simple procedure that costs almost nothing when the head is off, cost you a motor. The plug blew and 8qts of oil get sprayed into the engine compartment in the blink of an eye (at 70 mph).

The engine is most likely toast.

I'm still interested.



View attachment 1242179

This makes me very sad if that really is what happened in this case. I put so much into this truck with plans on keeping it for a very long time.

 

[Major Nelson]

I would have been so happy to find something like this when i was looking - since I had planned on doing the vortec swap. I definitely don't think rebuilding would make sense for you if you're going to sell it (man, you've been a little cursed with this FJ60).

I'd say put it up as a roller for sale. Might even try ebay, craigslist, or since you're in LA see if TLC would want to buy it off of you.

Looks too nice to let her be scrapped.

 

[Spike Strip]

Yeah, it's very frustrating when things like this happen... Particularly when you're paying good money for someone's expertise.

From your description, I doubt it's anything other than a blown oil galley plug.

There are many threads (look in the FAQ) about fixing that galley plug - It's a little bit of work with the head on the engine, but you MIGHT, if so inclined, fix the galley plug and fill with oil (change filter) and try and start it and see what happens. You may have gotten lucky, if you shut it down quickly enough. For a few bux and your time, what have you got to lose?

But it all depends on how you feel about the rig, I suppose. You have had your share of bad luck with it.

 

[fil1983]

Yeah, it's very frustrating when things like this happen... Particularly when you're paying good money for someone's expertise.

From your description, I doubt it's anything other than a blown oil galley plug.

There are many threads (look in the FAQ) about fixing that galley plug - It's a little bit of work with the head on the engine, but you MIGHT, if so inclined, fix the galley plug and fill with oil (change filter) and try and start it and see what happens. You may have gotten lucky, if you shut it down quickly enough. For a few bux and your time, what have you got to lose?

But it all depends on how you feel about the rig, I suppose. You have had your share of bad luck with it.

I've put over $8k in rebuilds and upgrades into this rig. If I can get it back on the road with some elbow grease and a few bucks worth of parts, I'll gladly keep it around for a long time. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Spike Strip]

If the truck has not been sitting too long, first thing I would do is check to see if the motor is not frozen.

Put it in 1st gear and just push it and see if the fan moves (best if you can remove the spark plugs, but not necessary). If the engine will turn, then I'd certainly try fixing the galley plug and see what happens. Short of pulling the head or having someone with a good borescope look in the cylinders, don't know what else there is...

 

[micruz60]

I'd do what spike suggests.... You may have given the engine a 'heart attack', but they can be survivable. Right angle drill, fresh galley plug and new oils. Could be a happy ending!

 

[Jesper]

Man I hope you work something out. I've seen some of your other threads, and have ridden the roller coaster of setbacks and frustrations - I'm sure everyone has at some point, but when it makes you question whether to keep the rig it's definitely a low point.

So now I'm paranoid about my galley plug...Cant take the head off to fix at the moment - are there any stop-gaps to add a little insurance while everything is assembled, maybe pressing in some JB Weld over the galley plug or something like that?

 

[klinetime574]

So now I'm paranoid about my galley plug...Cant take the head off to fix at the moment - are there any stop-gaps to add a little insurance while everything is assembled, maybe pressing in some JB Weld over the galley plug or something like that?

You don't have to have the head off to fix a galley plug. Just remove the plug, tap with appropriate size, install threaded plug. Use a little grease on the tap to grab shavings, and vacuum out whatever may remain. I did this on my FJ60 7-8 years ago. No problems.

 

[RodrigzCrzr]

I sorry to hear what happened. maybe you can somehow save it. Looks like a real clean truck.

 

[3_puppies]

You don't have to have the head off to fix a galley plug. Just remove the plug, tap with appropriate size, install threaded plug. Use a little grease on the tap to grab shavings, and vacuum out whatever may remain. I did this on my FJ60 7-8 years ago. No problems.

X2...I'll turn the engine over to purge oil out the hole to help clean out what might be left behind in there.

 

[hank14]

Have you confirmed it was the oil galley plug that blew to begin with?

 

[fil1983]

Have you confirmed it was the oil galley plug that blew to begin with?

I haven't yet. This thread is the first I've heard of it and I've been at work. Will look into it this weekend.

 

[hank14]

Keep us posted. Best of luck that it is the galley plug, low oil, and back on the road.

 

[hj 60]

Good luck, if you look at the cash for clunkers battle it might startup and drive fine.
I once had a Renault express dump its oil, it started to slow down because the engine was seizing.
Got it home, refilled and runned better than before and made many miles after that incident.