F Engine Rebuild

[Steeler58]

I'm new to this forum and I'm a new 40 owner. I bought the '72 40 with a seized original F. All original parts throughout and the condition of the body, hardtop, is excellent with the exception of the driver's side pan. I have paperwork going back to the original owner's purchase in 1972. Engine, etc. is original. Machine shop tore it down for me and the tag to rebuild is over $7,800. $3,800 for parts and $4,000 for labor. Needs one rod, new pistons, rings, new cam, lifters, etc. Crank journals to be welded then ground back to specs. Calls for valve inserts to be installed and ground to specs. Valves are good, rocker assmby good. Small crack at a freeze plug calls for a repair. Is this a realistic number to you guys that have gone through it? My goal was to stay stock. Does the value really jump if I can stay as original as possible? I could buy 3 or 4 used F's for the same $. Not interesed in a SBC (right now).

 

[DAD2SIX]

If you have to keep the f motor I would find a better block. I have a f motor minus the head you can have. It could be a lot better and not require as much machining.

 

[roadstr6]

Find a 2f and ditch the F. F parts are hard to come by and expensive when you find them. Going 2F won't kill you on re-sell like swapping in a Chebby might. It keeps it Toyota and runs and drives like a 'cruiser should. The 2F's are fairly plentiful and much cheaper to rebuild. It's a super easy swap from what I understand.

 

[whiskeythrottle67]

Has anybody had experience rebuilding their F engine using parts from JT outfitters? They have a rebuild kit for $700.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[JimmyMac]

For what it's worth,

I have a 70 F Motor and when I looked around at getting it rebuilt 2 places came in at $3000-3200, parts were $1400, and that's in Silicon Valley

 

[marketShark]

I'll second the swapping out to a 2F. You can find an old F selling for cheap all over the place, but where it really adds up is the fact no one wants to rebuild them and they're hard to find parts for.

You could swap it out for something running and cheap, rebuild the original at your pace (and budget), then sell the other motor when youre done.

for reference: Ive had 2F rebuild quotes all over the place from $2800 to over $6000

 

[Delancy]

Why not rebuild the original block with late 2F internals?

Keeps the vintage appearance by using parts that aren't NLA.

 

[Steeler58]

I really appreciate the viewpoints. Thank you! I will follow up and post what I decide to do. Unfortunately, the machine shop originally told me $250 to disassemble and diagnose. Now, looks like will ask me for $1,400 for their labor and work so far. I never authorized the extra work so we'll see. Either way, education is never cheap. DAD2SIX, I'm in PA but would be interested to know what you may have available.

 

[DAD2SIX]

I really appreciate the viewpoints. Thank you! I will follow up and post what I decide to do. Unfortunately, the machine shop originally told me $250 to disassemble and diagnose. Now, looks like will ask me for $1,400 for their labor and work so far. I never authorized the extra work so we'll see. Either way, education is never cheap. DAD2SIX, I'm in PA but would be interested to know what you may have available.

I'm in Utah so won't work to well.
Btw I just pulled my f motor out and rebuilt a 2f and put it in my 65 fj40 unless you are going for a 100% factory restoration. It's just not worth rebuilding a F motor.

 

[vtgbeemer]

Sounds like you picked the wrong machine shop. If they quote a teardown price they cannot honor, makes you wonder what a rebuilt might run. One point that hasn't been mentioned is the necessary shimming of the mains, which that shop may not be familiar with. In regards to building your f-engine, there are a lot of parts still available from mud members. By the time this thread keeps getting bumped to the top you may find that a lot of what you need is available, reasonable priced.

 

[Pighead]

Does the value really jump if I can stay as original as possible?

Only if you're going to show it concourse and sell at a high-end auction house.
If you're going to drive it, go 2f. You can dress the engine in all your F bolt-ons. Only a 'Cruiserhead could spot the swap.

 

[Ken Fryncko]

I'm going to be heading down the same path here. How complicated is the swap to a 2F from an F? Is this something that I should only trust to a Toyota mechanic? If anyone has any suggestions for a mechanic in the Pittsburgh area, I'd be open to listening. I'm not a mechanic and won't be doing the work myself but don't want to let someone start working on it and mess it all up. I have too much invested in this Latin American lady already.