Builds FZJ80 (re) Build begins (Oh, what have I done!)

[Matthew Spencer]

I just bought this FZJ80 off of eBay knowing that the "top and bottom were no longer connected." 292k miles but every thing work except the engine. Yeah, sure, right. So I took a chance. It was not expensive as the seller took my low ball offer. Maybe that should have been a warning. I went to meet the seller did the title transfer and had it shipped 230 miles back to my work shop. Today my son and I dove into the top end of the engine and here is what we found, or did not find. Plans are now to pull the engine and get either a low milage one from a wrecking yard of a remaned long block. I don't think that it will be cost effective to rebuild the engine that I have. Next post, body work.

 

[mechanist]

I wonder if @Trollhole has one or two lying around. He's only 2hrs south of you on 85. He does engine swaps and full frame off restorations. If not you might ask around the club. There was a guy over near Asheville parting out two land cruisers a couple months back. He still had the motors when I last saw the ads.

Do the cylinders still move in the block when you turn the crankshaft or is it totally seized up?

 

[Matthew Spencer]

Thanks for the tips. I will check the classifieds for the guy in Asheville.

Yes the cylinders still move and there is compression or at least the previous owner says that when he cranked the engine after the gear broke it turned very very slowly (compression). I have turned the crank by hand and the pistons still move freely. I am just kind of freaked out about a 292K motor. Is it cost effective to rebuild such a high milage motor or not? I'm not sure.

 

[scottryana]

Believe it or not, that is about the time for the first rebuild on the 1FZ-FE engine. Cost effective compared to what exactly? Swapping in a used motor of unknown origin that could last 5 years or 5 days? Engines are always something that you just can't really buy used and know what you are getting. Any 1FZ-FE that you find used is going to have over 150k miles on it, probably more like 200k miles on it and unless you personally know the truck it came from it is a risk. I think if you have a shop and have the skills and you want to keep this truck for 4+ years, you are money ahead just doing the rebuild. PM Beno on here for a rebuild setup. I am sure he has the entire parts kits laid out from just the minimums to replacing every nut and bolt so you can let your budget decide.

 

[Matthew Spencer]

Well, thats good news and good to know that I am just due for a rebuild at 300K. I was under the impression that rebuilding these engines was expensive and difficult, I guess I was wrong about that too. I would much rather keep the original motor and rebuild it. Thanks for the help and the links and I will PM Beno about a rebuild kit too.

 

[mechanist]

@beno used a place called "not on Main Street garage" just north of Atlanta for the machine work on his 60 series motor (3F?). From there he put it together himself - it's a great thread.

Does anyone know if all the specs used during a rebuild are available on the TIS website?

Is that broken gear from the timing chain?

 

[Matthew Spencer]

Yeah thats from the timing chain alright. I am still finding pieces of it as we work further into the engine. If you look at the second picture you will see that the gear is gone from the end of the cam shaft.

I have read somewhere here that there are bushings in the block that are not replaceable. If they come out wrong or the block is tanked you are in trouble. Is that true.

This is my first inline 6 Toyota motor so even with shop manuals I am a little lost at time.

 

[slow95z]

There is a brass bushing that Toyota says you can't replace but mud has a solution. It's expensive but it can be fixed. Tell your shop not to hot tank the block.

 

[Matthew Spencer]

I have had a night and morning to think about a rebuild vs. a engine swap and have decided to do a rebuild. With all the tips I have already received I feel that my son and I can manage the work and it will be nice to keep the Cruiser all original.

We also know that we are going to need to rebuild a lot of components in the truck. For example we already know we need a new radiator, trans rebuild, front transfer case seals, rebuild / replace the birfield and that just the start of the list. There is also some body work to be done and I will have some pictures up soon showing what up with that.

Good new is that the previous owner ( I am number 3 since new) fixed a lot of things as needed on the Cruiser. New calipers and rotors, wheel bearings all corners, new muffler and exhaust. He also kept the truck well maintained (except for the timing chain) with regular oil changes and service.

I am sure that I am going to find many more challenges and issues with the rebuild but since I have so little in the Cruiser (I paid $500.00 for it) I feel that I can invest some money and still be okay.

 

[slow95z]

Depending on your budget you can go all factory or lcengineering has a rebuild kit for like 700 bucks.

 

[retrofive]

Practically every aspect of the 80 and work needed to be done has been covered here on 'mud. You're in good hands. Search, ask questions and you have her in tip top shape in no time. Download the FSM from here: For Sale: - 40, 50, 60, and 80 series FSM for a hell of a price.

As mentioned @beno can get you all set up with OEM parts for the engine rebuild. Other vendors like CruiserOutfitters (@cruiseroutfit )can provide many parts and kits as well.

Good Luck!

 

[NCFJ]

You did well at $500.00 for sure. These days I figure a good running, base lined 80 in fair/good condition is a $5-8K truck depending on where and when you buy. $5 K being a great deal. I would make sure not much of that sprocket got thrown around if it made it to the lower end, past that a full rebuild will get you back in business. I have one in an 80 in the yard, unknown condition if you find yourself looking for another to rebuild.

 

[nodaksn3]

My 1995 '80 has 318xxx miles on it and still is running just fine, thank you. I've been thinking about rebuiulding the head as the valve guides leak a little oil into the cylinders (she uses a quart every 1200 to 1500 miles or so). Too bad you couldn't have done a compression and leak down test as maybe all it needed was a head job?
You have the right idea about rebuilding it vs installing a used engine.
What about the tranny?
Ned

 

[Matthew Spencer]

NCFJ

You did well at $500.00 for sure. These days I figure a good running, base lined 80 in fair/good condition is a $5-8K truck depending on where and when you buy. $5 K being a great deal. I would make sure not much of that sprocket got thrown around if it made it to the lower end, past that a full rebuild will get you back in business. I have one in an 80 in the yard, unknown condition if you find yourself looking for another to rebuild.

That is why I am looking at a rebuild. I have no idea (other than I have not found all the pieces of the gear and guides) where all the shrapnel has managed to get in the bottom of the engine. In a perfect world I could get away with a top end rebuild then do a compression / leak down test and know more about the engine. But my thinking is since its a 300k motor I may as well just to a rebuild and have the peace of mind that its going to be good for another 300k.

 

[scottryana]

Yep do the rebuild, no reason to do all that work on the head and have a questionable bottom end. I am willing to bet you will just need new rings and bearings, but it will be worth the peace of mind.

 

[NCFJ]

Doing it with your son has a lot of value as well I grew up out in the garage with my father, those memories have a whole lot to do with what I do today.

 

[Matthew Spencer]

Here is a picture of the valve cover off and the radiator is out. I bought an engine stand today and will start getting the engine out tomorrow or Monday.

 

[Matthew Spencer]

 

[mechanist]

Take the radiator to a radiator shop. It's an all brass triple core unit - a good shop can probably get it back to new condition for less than the cost of a new one.

Post or PM if something you need is not contained in the FSM posted above. I've got a 1994 FSM and can photograph pages/details for you.

 

[Matthew Spencer]

Here is the Cruiser as it looked when I picked it up and now with the fender flairs removed. I am not planning on putting them back on and the roof rack is coming off as is wing on the back hatch.