Found a new rabbit hole...88' FJ62

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boughtnpaid4

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Bought a 1988 FJ62....and so it began
-New Radiator
-New Thermostat
-New thermostat housing gasket
-Soon to install new head gasket (The white smoke and overheating is leading to this)
-Did the paint and Body work-SWEET!
-Did the stereo and some serious interior stripping and cleaning
-Carpet and headliner on the list
-Some new headlights, light cover, light bezel, antenna.....and other things pretty minor.

So here are the questions?
1) Is it safe to say the head gasket replacement will solve the overheating considering the new radiator and thermostat, and I am also going to replace all the temperature sensors around the thermostat when I do the head gasket. I will do the normal check and shave of the head if necessary even replace the head if unrepairable.
Could I look into something else for the overheating?
2) After the engine issues are worked out........
Any links for good seats? Possibly Leather? I would rework the originals, but they are pretty bad and would require some welding and most likely not worth the effort. I think a really fat guy had the car last!!!
3) Any suggestions about sound and heat proofing the interior?
4) Is this an addiction and if so is there a support group or 12 stepper in my future? I love this freaking cruiser and it has been in my garage more than on the road for the past 5 months.
 
Welcome aboard!
It still overheated with the new rad, T-stat, and I'll assume a system flush/refill?

I"ll say (this is heavy speculation) that the overheating lead to the failed HG, unless you have knowledge otherwise. Make sure the shop that decks the head is well trusted. It'd be a shame to install a warped head. ( It seems you are on top of this already, just pointing out the more obvious stuff). How's the fan clutch? Under what conditions did/does it overheat?
 
Before radiator replacement, thought it was just a bad gauge, radiator had some leaks and was the original with 230K miles on it. Engine seemed pretty sound at purchase in fact drove it for a few weeks with no issues with overheating even a 150mile drive striaght on highway. Overheating progressed pretty rapidly. It was overheating on longer drives, shorter trips, idiling (sp?), etc.

When I replaced the Rad I also did all the belts (why not I was there?) and immediate hoses connected with rad, took it for a 30min test drive and it was running cool, then the next time I drove it it overheated again. I called a buddy who recommended "burping" it to see if there was an air trap, did it and it ran cool, next drive it overheated again.
Keep in mind the "sweet white smoke" has been present in the exhaust fumes since purchase.
Then i disconnected the sensor to see if in fact it was overheating and it was, then I broke the damn sensor trying to put it back so i just bought all new ones and will replace them when I get to the head gasket.

Did not flush the system, but did obviously drain and replace the anti-freeze with the green stuff.
Haven't checked the fan clutch, didn't even think about it.

Is it possible I put the new belts on wrong? I pulled a diagram off of "cool cruisers" when I bought the belts and there was a minor discrepency, but I figured it was just a scaled drawing thing. The thing was that one of the belts in the drawing seemed to ride its "back" agianst another wheel? just seemed wrong?
 
When is it overheating? At speed on the highway or stop and go? Do you know that your fan clutch is working right? (d'oh, Wile E beat me to that)

For good seats, look at the ones Iron Pig Off-Road sells. I have them and love them. (I'll find the thread on them.....)
 
From memory, the belt will 'ride it's back on one wheel' That's normal routing. The 'wheel' is the idler/tensioner pulley.
Burping it is sadly a common necessity due to the convoluted hose routing our junk is blessed with. I'd def. do the HG, but I can't give ya a guarantee on the overheating fix. Just don't let it overheat after the HG job. As I hinted, that's what leads to warped heads, thus blowing the HG, new or not.
 
boughtnpaid4 said:
3) Any suggestions about sound and heat proofing the interior?
4) Is this an addiction and if so is there a support group or 12 stepper in my future? I love this freaking cruiser and it has been in my garage more than on the road for the past 5 months.
Click to expand...

You've found the support group.:D For the interior-hey, I consider mine fairly quiet and comfy with the stock dressings. Here's a link for some ideas in this area: Urban Land Cruisers LLC | Interior and Exterior
 
Read the recent thread about the oil galley plug in the passenger side of the head. If you take the head off, be sure to get that fixed.
 
Couple more questions....
1) Which maintenence/repair manual is best for the fj62?
I need the head torque recommendations and just an overall good book.
2) 89GASHOG you directed me to urban land cruisers which is in my area, I was thinking of doing the Line-x thing on the interior then laying the carpet over the top, but is it easy enough to tackle the "herculiner" (Which Urban land cruisers does) myself? Seems pretty straight forward and I hate to pay for the Line-x then cover the front 2/3 of the interior with carpet. I would leave the rear cargo are exposed. Wife and kids prevent total utilitarian route...:doh:
3) How do I check the fan clutch?.....clueless
4) I couldn't find the oil galley plug link, I saw the one where it "happened to me", but couldn't find a "how to" if there is one?
5) I really want to just buy a carpet kit and do it myself, I'm no tailor so pre cut or moulded would be preferred. Ive read about a few in here but no one seems to back any particular product. Suggestions?
6) Is vinyl durable and comfortable for the seats? I think of my Italian grandmother and the covered couches.

I'll post some pictures soon of the "Relicia" it has the two-tone bluish grey job which I haven't seen any other pics of.
 
boughtnpaid4 said:
4) I couldn't find the oil galley plug link, I saw the one where it "happened to me", but couldn't find a "how to" if there is one?
Click to expand...

It's in the FAQ. Oil Gally Plug

boughtnpaid4 said:
Couple more questions....
1) Which maintenence/repair manual is best for the fj62? I need the head torque recommendations and just an overall good book.
Click to expand...

Pics are worth a lot. You get what you pay for, so just buy the best.
FSM.webp
 
Hey boughtnpaid4
Welcome :flipoff2:
I have done a mini truck bed in the roll
on bedliner autozone sells(wanna say its herculiner brand)
no need for you to pay someone to do it its easy!
Pretty much prep,roll on,dry time, and repeat.
Look at the FAQS at the top of the page
for the tranny cooler mod, its worth the investment.

Wheres the pics man?

I'm in the Atl.as well
 
I'd forget the carpet, kids or not...if they spill something in your Cruiser it will be easy to clean. I used undercoating for my interior and have been very happy with it. It insulates much better than the old pad and rubber floormat did and it acts as a sound deadener too. If I roll up my window alone I can still talk on a cell phone even with my pavement slappers humming down the road. Its really easy to do too....not to mention cheaper than replacement carpet.

Pics?
 
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