Embarking on what looks to be a simple 80 series engine swap. (1 Viewer)

[Mikesta]

One last comment - I'm very very very happy that I put a new head gasket on. It psychological. I would always be thinking of that other gasket. Marking the head bolts is VERY wise too. I was working on my 8th bolt and my cheapo extension bit broke. When these break, you don't really see it but they twist off so you think you are turning the bolt, but you are really turning the extension until it snaps. By marking it, I knew exactly how much further I should go.

 

[Mikesta]

Put in a solid 8 today on the engine. So tally is around 35 hours from parking the truck to now (not counting time ordering stuff online).

Had to make another trip to toyota. Each time I go, its $100 here and there. Needed the thermostat, toyota red, upper therm gasket, valve cover hoses and a few other things.

Got the cam's in, valve cover sealed - plugs coated with copper anti sieze and dialectic grease.... wire harness routed from old engine to new, accessories added, belts on... everything torqued to factory specs, checked double checked and cleaned, then cleaned some more, and some more.

My pile of bolts are disappearing.

 

[Mikesta]

Paid 18 for a hose then chopped it for the sake of keeping oil out of the intake.

Snapped a picture of my wife's 80. It really does a good job after cleaning everything up and is worth the $70 IMHO.

 

[Mikesta]

The engine part is 99% done.

Don't know what I'll do tomorrow. Might take the kids for a hike, I've been burried in the garage for 5 days now and think a break might be good for me.

I have gained a ton of confidence now - slow as she goes, but thats ok.... not really racing anyone.


Here is a video of me rambling about a way to get the crank torqued on an engine stand.... I have been dreading this and suddenly it was done and I had no idea how it happened... it was organic and quick.







Here is the old engine that still could.



more rambling

 

[FJFOOL]

Lookin' purdy, Mike !! Will we see it at the next meeting ?

 

[Mikesta]

Lookin' purdy, Mike !! Will we see it at the next meeting ?

Yes Alex... do you know where its at?

 

[NLXTACY]

Right on Mike!

 

[Mikesta]

This morning, got up at 3am, thought about the engine till 5am- got up and started tinkering

151,000 mile tranny... I'll use that
Split the old engine/tranny/tcase
eyed up the t-cases new home

 

[Mikesta]

I was missing a metal guide on the new trans to t-case location, so I tried to get one off the old one- it wouldn't budge.... so then I looked around... oh an old a440 tranny that is acting as a planter in the yard..... stole one from that.

 

[Mikesta]

Cleaned the bolts and then connected the tcase/trans.

Brought the engine outside to prep for the Mating session.

Glamor shots

 

[Mikesta]

few more

 

[Mikesta]

poser shots (in the daylight)

 

[Mikesta]

Now it rests on the ground (tarped) and will stay there till tonight or Monday. Going to go hiking with the fam.... need a break.

buttoned up the old engine a bit and parked it where it will stay for a few months till I get motivated to rebuild it.

 

[blkprj80]

Wow!
That's nice work Mike!

At first I wasn't all that keen on the red, but I'm starting to like it.

 

[Mikesta]

Wow!
That's nice work Mike!

At first I wasn't all that keen on the red, but I'm starting to like it.

Clean was what I was going for I have a ton of paint int the cabinet with no lids, I was going to go with what ever came out of the first can. Yellow, red, black... and it was red. Its growing on me too. Tells the next guy that its been gone through as well.

 

[OGBeno]

Good work. Looking forward to seeing you wrap this up.

 

[Mikesta]

So much work. But enjoying it. Today went to a state park which is only 2 miles away and walked around with the kids - Got lost. 2 Hours later came out of the park. Good times.

Got home took a nap, took another nap... woke up. Even my dreams are about this rig. I think it is taking me so long because I like to double check everything... torquing nuts and bolts 2 times.

Don't think I mentioned it this morning but the old engine to old tranny were barely held on there. Those 10 bolts just a touch past finger tight. I don't know if somone had been in there before. Scary, makes me want to get under my other 80 and see whats up.

My daughter helped me clean up the Engine compartment.

 

[Mikesta]

I like clean, even though, I probably won't ever see these from above again.

 

[Mikesta]

Then suddenly it was all together and ready to be plopped in (well almost ready... about 30 minutes of inspection tomorrow after coffee.)

 

[blkprj80]

Good Gosh... I pulled just the engine for mine. I can't imagine how much metal you have to swing around if you have the tranny and t-case on it as well! Sounds like a slow "wiggle, move, wiggle" process Mike. Good luck to you my friend! Any idea what that freight train weighs??

That engine bay looks very nice! What did you use? I used Fast505 and about dozen rolls of paper towels.

Excellent progress on a "simple engine swap" for sure! Keep up the good work man!