F vs 2F vs ???

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landcruiserrich

landcruiserrich

Bench Wheeler
Joined
Feb 12, 2005
Threads
24
Messages
234
Location
Prince George, BC
Hi Guys,

I'm still in the planning (no money) phase in my build, but I'm hoping to get it started in the next couple months. I have a 74 fj40 with the original F engine. It was running strong when I parked it a few years ago and I've since bought a vacuum advance Dizzy and carb base. My plans were to run it till it gives up, but that could be any day so I was wondering if it's a good engine to rebuild. Would it be better to get a 2F? Money is an issue, but I want to stay with a Toyota engine. Is there anyone still running the F engine out there? What kind of performance parts are available? I plan to run 35s and 4.56 gears eventually.
 
The 74 F (F 1.5) engine is a transition engine, it was somewhat different than the earlier F's. The 74F has the same oiling system as the 2f were the 73 and down F's are not a full flow oil delivery system; in short a full flowed oil system gets completely filtered prior to reaching its intended area. The torque is supposed to come on earlier than the 2f's, and I think they have a higher compression ratio than the early 2F's. The nice thing about the 2F's is they are a better balanced engine and have a bit more HP. Do a compression check to get a base line of you top end health and go from there, my F (10/74) has over 200Kmils and runs very strong.

Good Luck!
 
Stick with the f1/2 you have. It is supposed to be the best of both engines.
 
my last f.5 (f and a half) engine got 450,000 miles out of it....i just changed engines for another 74 f.5 w/30,000 so now i am good for the next 420,000 miles.


stick with the f.5 :) IMO
 
My first FJ40 had the F 1.5 and now three 40's later I have another 1974 FJ40.

1974 40's with there crazy F engines ROCK!:grinpimp:
 
I have a 74 F1.5 engine too. I just had the head re-done and stuck a set of piston rings and rod bearing in it to be safe.

I have 6 to 1 headers on mine, a DUI HEI distrbutor and a stock Aisin carb rebuilt with the basic performance mods on it by JimC. You can also get a performance cam/springs/lifter kit for it from Downey Offroad (I don't have that).

I have 35's on mine with the stock 4.11 gears. Keeping in mind I live at 6700' elevation in Colorado, mine is not a powerhouse but puddles around OK on the road. Offroad in low range it does just fine.

My opinion is, if your current engine is totally blown up and must be completely replaced, go with a 2F not an F1.5. You will be able to find parts for it longer and the slightly larger cubic inches doesnt hurt. If your F1.5 is running OK or just needs a valve job, etc then I would keep it. That will be your least expensive option for now. When time and money permits, pickup a 2F cheap or free and rebuild it in your spare time. Then when the day comes that the old F dies for good, you're set to drop the other one in.
 
I have 31x10.50’s on mine. With 411 gears you can use some good size tires, you also get what some call a "rubber overdrive". With my tires the Speedo will read about 50MPH when I am about 3 mph faster per my GPS. One thing to remember with these engines is try not to run it hard (high RPMs) and keep on top of the fluids. These engines hold 8qts of oil, use a quality oil filter (not fram) and if your radiator is old you may want to replace it. I through a rod in my first 40, after I pulled it over the radiator was completely blown, I’m not positive but possibly that had something to do with it. One more is thing try and stick with Toyota parts, OEM parts are what made these engines last as long as they have. I could go on and on just do some searches on this site and you will see that good OEM parts always prevail in the long run...someone once said that about common sense too.


Good Luck!
Corey:grinpimp:
 
f eng

Whats the plan for the rest of the vehicle? Some pics?

I would do as others have advised and just do a comp check and go with that. As you are in the early stages why not keep the money for other things. If someday once you get it all done and you want another engine or a SBC you will have no prob selling that engine.
 
I've also got a 74 with the 1.5F.

Had poor compression on a couple cylinders a number of years ago when first bought the truck.

Didn't have the money to do anything about it, adjusted the valves, switched to FJ60 ignition, Jim C Carb, 2F oil cooler/waterpump, and added power steering and on board air.

6 years and a lot of hard wheeling + road miles later, the 1.5F is still going strong and as reliable as you one could wish, if not as powerful. :D If something happens to it, I have all the parts to where I can acquire a 2F shortblock cheap and run it with my ancillaries.

Any reason to assume it will give up the ghost soon? If not, I would run it.

Also, with the F/3spd transfer, you are set for a SM420/465 swap. I did the 420, but these days I would probably be looking at a 465. Can be done for less than the change to 4.56's, and much better gearing.

P1011116.JPG
 
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It only has 80 000 miles on it and was running ok when I parked it a few years ago. It's got the 4 speed already and I don't want to change that yet. I have another 74 cruiser for parts with a questionable engine in it that could be built up as a spare, but it sounds like a better idea to get a 2f for when my engine cavs. I'm going to keep running it as is and slowly build the rest of the rig up. It needs alot of work! I'm hoping to get it here and start working on it soon ,I'll post some pics when I do and I will definitely have more questions for you guys!.
 
CruisinGA said:
I've also got a 74 with the 1.5F.



Didn't have the money to do anything about it, adjusted the valves, switched to FJ60 ignition, Jim C Carb, 2F oil cooler/waterpump, and added power steering and on board air.

QUOTE]

Is the 2f water pump a direct bolt on? What does the oil cooler look like?
Click to expand...
 
You have to add the waterpump, t-stat housing and oil cooler and crank pulley/harmonic balancer all at once. Probably easies to go ahead and change the alternator mount to the 2F location as well, which frees up room for a power steering pump on the lower DS of the engine and gets the alternator up out of the water/mud.
There are a couple of hard coolant lines that bolt to the engine that are nice but not necessary. All parts are direct bolt on. 2F waterpump comes with a fan clutch and 6 blade plastic fan, much safer than the solid steel fans that came on the 1F. Also moves more air and allows for more power when fan is not needed.

I would get FJ60 ignition and a Jim C. or Mark A. carb on your 1F first, and then do the above.
 
motoloco said:
2F= better oiling, more power and better parts availability. Unless it is a completely orig. truck, ditch the old F and never look back.
Click to expand...

his original 74f also has the better oiling ;) just not the 2f power :)
 
Toyota's stated hp and torqe number difference between the F and 2F does not look like much on paper. But I notice a very significant difference between a good running F and a 2F, atleast here in the mountains anyway:meh: Guess it does not take much to feel a difference when your only dealing with 130hp motors!
 
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