Engine RUST!!!!!

[Schlegs]

I bought a 1972 FJ40 that was in the middle of restore that was started 12 years ago. The engine was totally gone thru, bored 35 over with new rings, pistons, and connecting rods. When I got into the engine I noticed that the intake had some rust inside. I took off the manifold and head. The #6 cylinder had some surface rust and there was 4 stuck valves. Tonight I just pulled the top of the transmission and shifter and found that to be 2/3rds full of water.

So my questions to the masses:

1) Is the original F engine worth the time to tear apart and rebuild and run?
1a) If so what is the best way to take care of rust on the inside of the engine?

2) I like the idea of the 5.3L vortec engine dropping in, What is the best transmission and transfer case to use that takes the least fabrication. I would love to have it "plug and play".

 

[RustyRanger]

Looks way better than the one I took out of my 64. I'd clean it up and run it if the crank and cam are rust free and you really want that 6 cyl. Parts are pretty expensive for that engine, why I'm putting a chevy in mine.

 

[Schlegs]

What are you putting in it. I have been thinking of the 5.3L vortec, but I am not sure what to use for a transmission. Can I use the original 3speed?

 

[cult45]

Yes, but it takes patience to use. Non-synchro first.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I have a 1F and drivetrain that would drop right in, all from a 73. Still in the rig right now, $750 takes the engine, transmission and transfer case.

 

[Coolerman]

Am I to understand the engine was rebuilt 12 years ago, but has never been run? Then by all means clean it up, and run it! You have a new engine already, it just needs some TLC to bring it back. The transmission just needs drained, and flushed well. Because it's the almost bullet proof Toyota 3 speed , run it! A little bit of work will get you a well running Cruiser. THEN you can think about the V8 swap. IF that engine was truly rebuilt, and it continues to run well, you can sell it to fund the V8 swap.

 

[Schlegs]

Am I to understand the engine was rebuilt 12 years ago, but has never been run? Then by all means clean it up, and run it! You have a new engine already, it just needs some TLC to bring it back. The transmission just needs drained, and flushed well. Because it's the almost bullet proof Toyota 3 speed , run it! A little bit of work will get you a well running Cruiser. THEN you can think about the V8 swap. IF that engine was truly rebuilt, and it continues to run well, you can sell it to fund the V8 swap.

Yep and had been sitting with no fluids in it for that time. All the pics are from that engine.

 

[Unoman]

Agreed, run it! Fresh fluids then drive it for a bit. Drain, fresh fluids again and then make a decision on which direction you want to head in terms of a V8 swap. Out of all the cruisers I've owned, my favorite to drive is my 71 with a 1F and 3 speed. Simple, pure and primitive

 

[RobNasty]

If there's a lot of scale in the manifolds/head, maybe you can have it blasted with something that will break down without abrading the bearings... Baking soda or walnut?

 

[Schlegs]

How about inside the transmission? Is that a total disassemble clean and rebuild?

 

[Mace]

I'd clean the tranny with some diesel fuel and call it good

 

[pjohnson]

I would tear the engine down and have it cleaned up and re-assembled. that would likely be cheaper than a 5.3 swap. For the transmission, see Mace's suggestion above. Check the transfer case and rebuild it if necessary.

Put it all back together and run it!

Enjoy the bone stock quirkiness while you figure out a plan for future upgrades.

 

[sproggy]

…yup, got a '71 with an F engine and a 3 speed. It's all I've ever had and I don't have to go far in it but…it's awesome. Love the old school feel and…limits. Why else have a vehicle that's almost 50 years old?

 

[Schlegs]

Has anyone ever used "metal rescue" to remove rust.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Along the lines of what Mace suggests, I used a siphon gun to clean a tranny with the top off. I think I paid $14 for my siphon gun. Drop the pickup tube in a can of gas or diesel, hook your air compressor up and away you go. Kinda messy but effective. I'm in the clean it up and run it camp.

As far as rust removers, I have used evaporust, kinda spendy but works good. Might take a couple jugs to fill your tranny.

I added some ATF to my first batch of tranny oil per Georg at Valley Hybrids advice.

 

[Trollhole]

Take the head to a machine shop and have it rebuilt.

 

[cruiserbrett]

Take the head to a machine shop and have it rebuilt.

AGREED!

Not worth just running it. rust frozen valve stems might destroy the valve guides pretty quickly...

 

[cjgoode]

A lot of people here have engines running that sat for that period of time. I bet they probably looked worse inside, just no one opened them up to look first. My 3 speed was much worse then that, it was actually full to the top with water when I go it. Drained it, flushed it, filled it and was done.

 

[Schlegs]

Average cost to have a head rebuilt? Ballpark?

 

[Schlegs]

Does the diesel work as good as the commercial rust remover?