Engine rebuild - need advice

[jfnall]

I am having to rebuild engine. I'm looking for advice and experience with using higher compression pistons and how the additional heat might affect the long-term reliability of the engine? any body running the MAF high perf motor with these pistons and have any issues?

it basically comes down to less than $600 difference, but will it change the life of the motor? I know the extra power is with $600. just don't want unforeseen heat problems.

thanks for the advice.
Jeff

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I don't think the extra heat will be an issue, but there is nothing wrong with a stock rebuild. I just think I'd get the best rebuild possible, with no high perf parts. These are not race cars and no version of the 2F will be especially fast. If you want fast, spend the $$ on SBC.

There is a thread called "best 2F" or something like that. I'd start there. What's wrong with yours that it need a rebuild? Mine is about that mileage and it seems like it will go forever.

 

[RockDoc]

Why not just mill the head to boost the compression?

 

[NocalFJ60]

Depends on what you want to do with the cruiser. I wouldn't start experimenting with a high performance 2f. I would just drop in a vortec and have the power and mileage you want out of it. I haven't driven a high performance 2F but wonder what kinda numbers over stock is realistic.

 

[jfnall]

my reason for a rebuild ....... lots of broken and/or damaged stuff. I have had a leak for some time and thought it was simply a head gasket. I got in there and the head is cracked. nothing but junk at this point. the cylinders have some pretty serious scaring and #2 needs a sleeve (according to the machinist.)

would milling the head to boost compression be any different than what they would do on a head rebuild anyway? i am asking because i know nothing. I just need to know what to tell the machine shop and mechanic.

I am looking at longevity and dollars, and trying to get the best options. I don't know much, if any anything, about this whole rebuild business i have jumped into. I have a great mechanic and machine shop.

I was looking up parts on MAF.com and saw their "Hi performance" motor they sell for $4000. My thinking was that if I have this thing apart and could do what they have done on a motor, why not do it now. This will be the last time i have the engine apart, and i want to try and make the right decision on it. not wish 15K miles from now i would have done it.

I don't expect a race car out of a 2F. but i don't want all the troubles that go along with the vortec install. (from what i have read about and researched) but if i can go with a different piston option, and an RV cam while everything is apart, i might as well drop it in now. ....... assuming the life of the motor is not adversely affected.

if the larger pistons (.040) will create too much heat, would the RV cam give me a noticeable difference not using those pistons, staying with a .020 stock piston?

the cost difference from stock (with one cylinder sleeved, all bored to .020) to MAF's "fancy" piston (.040 no sleeve) is only about $350 added.

another question is the cam - a regrind RV cam with resurfaced lifters is about $340 cheaper than new rv cam and new lifters. is a RE-grind cam worth it, or down the road will have wished i put in a new one.

so, if i put in the "hi performance" parts that MAF would put in their $4000 motor, it will cost me about $700 additional.

is the life of the engine compromised with these components?

sorry to ramble, just trying to pry as much out of you guys as possible. I am fairly new to cruisers, and many of you have been around a long time and know your stuff.

again, thanks for the info and advice.

Jeff

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Thanks for the additional info. Here is my advice:

Take your existing motor and junk it.

Get a used working motor and install. When it's time for a rebuild, start with a good core, not one that is crapped out and needs to be sleeved, etc. Used motors out of FJ60s come up all the time for $250-$500. If you wait and watch this board, you'll find a candidate motor within a month. In all probability, it won't even need to be rebuilt.

Even if you buy a working motor and immediately rebuild it, that's better than trying to rehab the one you have.

Good luck. Remember there are lots of 2Fs around from guys doing SBC swaps, but use one from an FJ60 so that the block is drilled for the later brackets.

 

[RockDoc]

I don't know much about rebuilding at this point, but I think a wise option to consider would be to look for a good running 2F that someone else is getting rid of (parting out rig, SBC swap, etc).

Some thing like this but more local to you: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/240038-complete-running-2f-engine.html

If that would do the trick for you, put a WTB thread in the classifieds, with a link to it in you sig. line.

 

[NocalFJ60]

I remember seeing the shop posted up here that actually builds MAF's HiPerf engines. You could give them a call.

 

[jfnall]

my biggest problem i have is that i am in Missouri. There aren't alot of cruisers on here like you guys have in Cali. I have a couple calls to make on used engines, but how do i know a block isn't in the same shape mine is if it is already out of the truck? would hate to get stuck with one because i didn't tear it down on site before paying up to the seller.

jeff

 

[3_puppies]

my biggest problem i have is that i am in Missouri. There aren't alot of cruisers on here like you guys have in Cali. I have a couple calls to make on used engines, but how do i know a block isn't in the same shape mine is if it is already out of the truck? would hate to get stuck with one because i didn't tear it down on site before paying up to the seller.

jeff

buy a rusted out 60, should be plenty of them in Missouri, or close by. then you can drive it do a comp. test and here it run, then either scrap the rest or sell parts. should be able to find one for right around $1,000 or less.

 

[Spike Strip]

The guy who builds MAF's Hi-Po motors is Martin Davidson Automotive in Reseda, CA...

I had him do my rebuild exactly like he does the Hi Po but with standard pistions and a stock Melling Cam.... I wanted to be able to run reg gas and pass smog, and frankly, as others have said, if you want more ponies, go SBC ..

I know Martin accepts motors by freight for rebuild, but shipping is $$ ...

The suggestion to find a used motor and run it is a good one... They're always around (until you want one)...

If you want a list of the parts he used, I'll post.

 

[jfnall]

yeah, if you could post the parts list he used, that would be great. or just PM me with it. a Melling cam? is that stock?

would Martin Davidson Automotive talk with me if i called?

thanks for the help on this.

jeff

 

[Trollhole]

I personally don't think the MAF pistons are worth it. I'd much rather spend the money on the billet cam than the pistons. That being said there are a lot of engine builders who just regrind the stock cam and have no issues that I have heard of.

I would take the advice and find a good 2f that would be easily rebuilt. Sleeving scares me. Especially if your trying to do in right.

If you read my build in my sig. It should give you a pretty good idea of how much a basic hi-perf 2f is going to cost.

Remember your talking about a tractor motor.

What I would do.

Find an 86-87 2f.
Have the head shaved .040
Have the valves redone with OEM valve seals
Have the block decked
inspect and surface the lifters. If they are pitted buy the ones from CCOT
Have the cam reground. There are lots of places that do this. DO a search for Camshaft in this section. There is a really good thread about it.
Have it balanced
New bearing
possibly bore it out .040 over. But if the pistons look good and the cylinders look good I'd just re-ring and have the cylinders honed.
Get a solid cam gear. Search on Mud and you will find where you can get one.
Stay with all Toyota seals and gaskets and bearings. CDan is your man.
Get your carb rebuilt by JimC or Mark A.
If you don't have smog standards. Take all that crap off.


If you really want a little better economy and hp add a TBI system and some MAF tuned headers.

Personally though. If I had no idea how to rebuild one and was relying on a local mechanic to rebuild a hi-perf motor for me. I'd spend the money and time to make 3 phone calls. One to JimC to see what he would build one for. One to Grant and see what he would charge and one to MAF and see what they would be willing to work out with you. Having the piece of mind knowing you have an experienced 2f build your motor is priceless. That being said none of them are going to want your core.

 

[lehiguy]

Ok, the voice of experience here. DO NOT under any circumstance buy new lifters from Man-a-Fre. They are undersized and too soft which results in them mushrooming out dstroying themselves and the cam. Use the originals and have them resurfaced if your machininst thinks they need it. Milling the head will get you the same thing as high compression psitons for less money. The problem with HC pistons is that the dome creates an uneven flame front when the mixture is ignited. The most efficient piston crown shape is what you already have. You should not have any issues with excessive heat, I never did. If you buy a performance cam, be advised that the stock valve springs are not capable of much more lift and duration that what comes with the stock cam. You may experience coil bind or valve float. Either of these situations spells doom for your engine. If you must do the cam, make sure your machininst knows exactly what your lift and duration will be so he can check spring pressure, height, etc. In the end, I did go Chevy and wonderd why I spent all the money on the 2F in the fist place.

 

[Spike Strip]

Yes, Martin will talk to you -- He's a good guy.

(818) 705-2441

Melling is Federal Mogul.

LINKY for parts.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Add this up, and factor in how much you value your time...

If you read my build in my sig. It should give you a pretty good idea of how much a basic hi-perf 2f is going to cost.

Then do this...

Personally though. If I had no idea how to rebuild one and was relying on a local mechanic to rebuild a hi-perf motor for me. I'd spend the money and time to make 3 phone calls. One to JimC to see what he would build one for. One to Grant and see what he would charge and one to MAF and see what they would be willing to work out with you. Having the piece of mind knowing you have an experienced 2f build your motor is priceless. That being said none of them are going to want your core.

 

[SDFJ60JFK]

Haven't had to rebuild one yet. But this is a good read.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/87140-best-2f.html

Might be cheaper to buy a rusty 60 and part it out.....

John