OK, truck is running and has been for the past few weeks. The current issues to be resolved are as follows:
Loses prime on the fuel system over time. Once started it will restart no problem even if left for a few hours. If I let is sit overnight it will need a little priming to make it go. If it sits for a week as it just did it's like getting an engine to go aver replacing the fuel pump and all the associated stuff. This is a rotary injection pump 3B. I have run the fuel return line direct from the pump to the tank. Does this need some kind of "anti'drain valve" of some such thing so it doesn't loose prime? Is it possible to loose prime through the filter head/priming pump (it seems fine)? There are no obvious wet areas anywhere that I can see. Any ideas where to look and what to check?
Steering pitman arm needs to be removed and reoriented. Looked for acetone in Freetown when I was there a couple of days ago to make Don's super anti-seize compound (50% acetone 50% ATF). No luck. I have someone looking to see what they can find for next time we are there.
A/C pulley needs to be changed. The current pulley, as was used on the old 3B no longer lines up with the crank pulley. I need a pulley that sends the belt a further 1/2" forward. I looked in Freetown when I was there and they found one which will move it 1/8" and one that will move it 1/2" forward. I assume that eventually I'll find the right one. Anyone know of an on-line source to find these pulleys by measurements rather than application?
Oil leak on the reconfigured oil pan. It looks like it will loose a liter every 1000kms till I get it straight. On line for the next oil change, probably will be done at 2500kms as this is an ex-Japan engine and no one knows how it might have been serviced prior to my having it. How much will the silicone bridge? How close to dead flat do I need to be?
The exhaust gasket is not making a good seal. This is primarily because the gasket and the turbo manifold are not made for each other. See the photo and you'll know what I mean. Is there "generic" exhaust gasket material around that one can make a gasket from? I don't imagine any silicone can take the heat from the exhaust manifold.
Engine mounts and throttle linkages are to be replaced with parts in transit.
Also, an action shot of the typical mudhole on the main road to where we are and the mine. This is a road regularly traversed by mini-vans and all sorts of trucks and buses so of course for the Land Cruiser there is really no challenge at these holes. Occasionally though, the holes get deep enough and soft enough that trucks start to get stuck and then things can get bad fast especially when two trucks are stuck beside each other as happens too often.