FJ55 2F valve job questions

[dwsmith]

My 1977 FJ55 with the original 2F needs a valve job (3 cylinders are 140, 3 are 125). How difficult is this job? Do I need a shop specializing in Toyotas, or can a good generalist do it? How much should it cost?
Thanks, Dws.

 

[Pighead]

Not too difficult. Hardest part is lifting the head up off the block...it's heavy. Second hardest part is setting the head straight down on the block, remember, it's heavy. Any decent machine shop that can do a chevy straight six can do a 'Cruiser. Might cost $150 for the machine work, then the gasket set (prices vary from OEM to Kragen)

 

[Pin_Head]

If the compression is 125-140, I wouldn't fool with it. Wait until you have a real problem.

 

[Southeast Overland]

If the compression is 125-140, I wouldn't fool with it. Wait until you have a real problem.

X2

Your lowest is @ 125 and you are almost w/in 10%. I wouldn't mess with it unless you have other problems you didn't list.

 

[Pighead]

If the compression is 125-140, I wouldn't fool with it. Wait until you have a real problem.

I disagree. A valve job is routine maintenance. My rule of thumb is a valve job every 120-150 K miles, engine rebuild every 250-300K miles. I prefer not to wait until I have a real problem.

 

[zuluzeugma]

Not too difficult. Hardest part is lifting the head up off the block...it's heavy. Second hardest part is setting the head straight down on the block, remember, it's heavy. Any decent machine shop that can do a chevy straight six can do a 'Cruiser. Might cost $150 for the machine work, then the gasket set (prices vary from OEM to Kragen)

Eat your Weaties, eat some spinach, remove your tampon and lift that bad boy straight up standing on the wheel wells. :smile:

Seriously though, its not very difficult to do. I paid $120 bucks for a machine shop to magnaflux, deck .006, replace valve stem seals, valve grind.

However, I'm in the "125# isnt low enough to dick with it camp"

Take luck either way.

 

[dwsmith]

Sorry to be dense (I'm FJ55 newbie)

It doesn't use oil and runs very well, save for some perfectly tolerable roughness at a few speeds. What problems (worthy of a valve job) shoud I look for?
Many thanks Guys!

 

[Tools R Us]

When was the last valve adjustment, may just have some tight exhaust valves?