Goose Gear 80 Series Engine Replacement

[Wrencher93]

Dont sweat it man. It will still run great with some dirt on it. I'll be doing something similar shortly and have already come to terms with the fact my engine bay will never be mud-porn worthy.

Drive. Enjoy.

Nothing wrong with cleaning stuff but if you're obsessed with having a clean engine bay I'd argue you're not enjoying the vehicle to its fullest potential. It's a cruiser not a supercar. Drive it. Get mud on it. Enjoy every minute of it. Wash it. Repeat.

 

[SoCal80series]

Nothing wrong with cleaning stuff but if you're obsessed with having a clean engine bay I'd argue you're not enjoying the vehicle to its fullest potential. It's a cruiser not a supercar. Drive it. Get mud on it. Enjoy every minute of it. Wash it. Repeat.

Believe you me, I am not obsessed with keeping it showroom clean. I will have it in the Goose Gear booth at Cruise Moab (). I would like to have it clean(ish) for that. Afterwards - as needed to keep it running optimally.

 

[Broski]

. Get mud on it. Enjoy every minute of it. Wash it. Repeat.

^^^^^ this

I think you all Missed the point, this is a very complete and expensive engine rebuild. IMHO the parts that were reused should have been cleaned, it would have been easier to do on the beach while it was apart JMHO !!!! Also if it's clean it's easier to spot a issue if there is one

AGAIN no offense to the original poster I think he put more into his rebuild then most!!!

Hijack over

 

[dpeshkin]

I've talked about this in other threads, including my build thread. However, I felt that some may want to follow just the engine replacement part of this build. If you are interested in the rest of my build it can be accessed through the link in the signature section below.

Anyway, about two months ago my engine blew while the GG 80 was returning from Prescott, Arizona.

View attachment 2724093

Will you PLEASE take a video of the first start of the new engine?!?!??

 

[SoCal80series]

^^^^^ this

I think you all Missed the point, this is a very complete and expensive engine rebuild. IMHO the parts that were reused should have been cleaned, it would have been easier to do on the beach while it was apart JMHO !!!! Also if it's clean it's easier to spot a issue if there is one

AGAIN no offense to the original poster I think he put more into his rebuild then most!!!

Hijack over

No worries. Was not offended and totally get your point. If I was rebuilding this myself I would be cleaning every part spick and span. I don't have the skill or time to take a project of this size on my own so I took it to my mechanic. If I were to do it again, I would not have taken it to my long-time mechanic. He is great at the small stuff, but this has been too much for him. His attention to detail (i.e. the dirty parts) leaves much to be desired. He is trying to push too many cars through at a time and it doesn't leave the mechanics the time to tend to them the way some like @OTRAMM or others would do.

I appreciate all feedback from my mud compatriots. I don't want only those that will sing to the choir. Criticism stinks, but if taken correctly can be beneficial. Keep up the good posts @Broski. I know at the end of the day you're only looking out for my 80 - and that's a good thing!

 

[SoCal80series]

Will you PLEASE take a video of the first start of the new engine?!?!??

I will certainly try. I work, so my mechanic is doing this. I will let him know that I would like to be there for the first start. If I remember (always questionable) I will make a video and post it here.

 

[SoCal80series]

There has been a little progress on the engine build. Since this picture has been taken a new OEM harmonic balancer and a new (also OEM) fuel filter have been added. Basically this thing is ready to get stuffed back in the engine bay!

 

[SoCal80series]

I have to get on my mechanic on Monday to ensure he pulls my 80 in to get the engine in. If I don't get on him he will ignore the LC for the next two months. I will be there every day until this gets done. I need to have time before Cruise Moab to get the 500 shakedown miles out of the way. I just realized that I already posted the above picture - oh well.

 

[SoCal80series]

So I got "great" news today. I went over to my mechanic today at lunch to make sure he had put my 80 inside the shop to install the engine. It was not. I told the owner that I needed to see the LC in the shop by the end of the day. After 10 months there was no more wiggle room. I need to have this by a week from Wednesday to have it ready for Cruise Moab. He showed me his schedule and had the 80 going in today. I told him that I would I would be back after work to make sure.

I returned after work and he wasn't at the shop. I talked to his wife and she asked me what I needed. I told her I was checking to see that my Cruiser was put in the shop today. She said that wasn't going to happen because a Ford was a priority. Priority? I asked how does a car become a "priority" since my car has been there for 10 months? She informed me that her husband didn't figure I would return as a customer after this, so he would prioritize other work! Now I am last in line to get my engine done.

She said that she would have the lead mechanic start working on mine Wednesday and should have it done by next Monday or Tuesday. She would only have him work on it without distraction to get it complete. She added the caveat that it might change depending upon what her husband does. Do I believe her - I want to. Come Wednesday, I'll likely confirm what I think is going to happen.

Now I am going to ask my fellow mudders, is there anyone out there who can help me? I am in So Cal (if my name doesn't give it away) in the Riverside County area. I need to find a place to put it first. I do have a friend who is a good hobbyist mechanic who can do it. However, I would like the help of someone who is familiar with the specifics of the 80 to smooth out the wrinkles and make the install less time consuming and easier. DM, if interested.

 

[COYS]

So I got "great" news today. I went over to my mechanic today at lunch to make sure he had put my 80 inside the shop to install the engine. It was not. I told the owner that I needed to see the LC in the shop by the end of the day. After 10 months there was no more wiggle room. I need to have this by a week from Wednesday to have it ready for Cruise Moab. He showed me his schedule and had the 80 going in today. I told him that I would I would be back after work to make sure.

I returned after work and he wasn't at the shop. I talked to his wife and she asked me what I needed. I told her I was checking to see that my Cruiser was put in the shop today. She said that wasn't going to happen because a Ford was a priority. Priority? I asked how does a car become a "priority" since my car has been there for 10 months? She informed me that her husband didn't figure I would return as a customer after this, so he would prioritize other work! Now I am last in line to get my engine done.

She said that she would have the lead mechanic start working on mine Wednesday and should have it done by next Monday or Tuesday. She would only have him work on it without distraction to get it complete. She added the caveat that it might change depending upon what her husband does. Do I believe her - I want to. Come Wednesday, I'll likely confirm what I think is going to happen.

Now I am going to ask my fellow mudders, is there anyone out there who can help me? I am in So Cal (if my name doesn't give it away) in the Riverside County area. I need to find a place to put it first. I do have a friend who is a good hobbyist mechanic who can do it. However, I would like the help of someone who is familiar with the specifics of the 80 to smooth out the wrinkles and make the install less time consuming and easier. DM, if interested.

EDIT: If you're simply looking for someone to shove in the engine, Martin Davidson is not your shop. He only works on the engine as a standalone aka machine shop. No heavy lifting. Given all the shenanigans reading your thread, I personally wouldn't trust the work this dude did. Looks, sounds and smells a bit bush league, though I am hoping for the best for you!

Hey SoCal,

Sorry you're going through all this hot mess. I'm not sure what your decision tree looked like, but you may want to consider Kyle @ Martin Davidson in Reseda, CA. He's done plenty of 1FZ-FE work for Joey at Wits' End and this is how I originally got referred to Kyle. He's the shop owner and technician. He's so familiar with our engine that when I brought him the motherload of 1FZ-FE parts, he could by memory tell me what's needed and what's not. He did my full OEM long block build in about 2 weeks time and has been a pleasure to do business. He's also well respected in 60 series land as well.

If it helps any, pls feel free to tell him Ben sent you. I know of at least one other IH8 member's 1FZ-FE project in the pipeline. He's likely booked out, but couldn't hurt to inquire.

Pls lmk if you have any questions and gl!

 

[bpenn1980]

Damn man. I'm in Los Angeles if you get desperate for a driveway, but no hoist to get the engine in. Tow costs would make it prohibitively expensive IMO plus it would be slow. But it is there. I think there is a cruiser shop in Corona, right? I cant remember their name right now. Also some options in Huntington I believe, or maybe Laguna? Probably not cheap, but could hopefully get it installed in a reasonable time frame since truck/engine will show up together. I think I'm going to use RPM in Monrovia which is still a bit of a hike for you. They may not be free until May/June for a bigger job like this.

My advice is connect with the wife, be nice, give her some homemade cookies (from your kids, if you have them). She will get it done. Wives know how to make husbands get s*** done.

 

[COYS]

I think there is a cruiser shop in Corona, right? I cant remember their name right now.

Shop - https://www.yotamasters.com, but like all reputable shops, likely booked out at least a month. Last I checked, they also don't work on engine/transmission out work.

 

[SoCal80series]

Shop - https://www.yotamasters.com, but like all reputable shops, likely booked out at least a month. Last I checked, they also don't work on engine/transmission out work.

The problem with shops is that they don't want to take on half finished jobs. I would do it in a second if I could. I looked into it before. Yotamasters is probably a few months out knowing their reputation for excellence. I will look into it again.

 

[SoCal80series]

Damn man. I'm in Los Angeles if you get desperate for a driveway, but no hoist to get the engine in. Tow costs would make it prohibitively expensive IMO plus it would be slow. But it is there. I think there is a cruiser shop in Corona, right? I cant remember their name right now. Also some options in Huntington I believe, or maybe Laguna? Probably not cheap, but could hopefully get it installed in a reasonable time frame since truck/engine will show up together. I think I'm going to use RPM in Monrovia which is still a bit of a hike for you. They may not be free until May/June for a bigger job like this.

My advice is connect with the wife, be nice, give her some homemade cookies (from your kids, if you have them). She will get it done. Wives know how to make husbands get s*** done.

The problem with this as I have mentioned in another response is that mechanics don't like to take half finished jobs. They don't want to deal with other mechanic's work. They don't want to be responsible for it. If something goes wrong then there is no way to determine who is at fault and they don't want to take the risk. I can't blame them. I tried this route about 7 months ago to no avail.

 

[COYS]

The problem with this as I have mentioned in another response is that mechanics don't like to take half finished jobs. They don't want to deal with other mechanic's work. They don't want to be responsible for it. If something goes wrong then there is no way to determine who is at fault and they don't want to take the risk. I can't blame them. I tried this route about 7 months ago to no avail.

Everyone has a price.

 

[SoCal80series]

Everyone has a price.

I'm going to find out if this is true.

 

[FMC80]

Bro, like your first time having sex, you can’t rush this type of thing. You’re screwed either way, may as well go slow and enjoy the ride. There will always be another CM.


Also, I understand the frustration, hope you get it sorted

 

[SoCal80series]

Bro, like your first time having sex, you can’t rush this type of thing. You’re screwed either way, may as well go slow and enjoy the ride. There will always be another CM.


Also, I understand the frustration, hope you get it sorted

I'll push through. I'll still go to CM - I will just be a passenger. I appreciate your kind words of advise. It will get sorted.

 

[FMC80]

I'll push through. I'll still go to CM - I will just be a passenger. I appreciate your kind words of advise. It will get sorted.

Man I wish I can go to this year’s CM. Take me with you!!

I hope the shop does right by you and gets after your install. It took you a while to consolidate all those new engine parts. It’s going to feel great once your cruiser is under its own power again. Excited to see how it goes for you.

 

[beatle_bayly]

Tell 'em if they finish it in time to get to CM you'll put one of their stickers on the vehicle. And if they do it on time, do it well, and for a good price, you'll wear one of their company teeshirts!