Builds Grey Gardens FJ62LG-PNEA: An idiots guide to resurrecting a high mileage FJ62

[HemiAlex]

I got it all lined out tonight. Found the TDC line easier after I stopped being stubborn and pulled the plugs. I got them all set with the feel I like.

I was out of energy when I did this engine last, almost 2 years ago. They a few were way too tight.

The engine fired up the same on a cold start it took a few key cycles, but the idle was completely smooth and I no longer have the audible miss out of the exhaust. The valves are completely silent now. I don't think there is an exhaust leak now that I've got the valves quiet.

I need to clean the garage and find the oil cap next. But for now, I can move on to more driving and fine tuning.

I had to go through the I don't trust this because it's unproven and I'm uncertain about this electronic EFI stuff. The 3FE is as solid as a 2F and OEM sensors, ECU, etc. are reliable, but everything in now old. Over the course of 300k+ miles on the 3FE I've only had a few times when it was crippled. EFI main relay died, circuit opening relay died, FPR died. That's about it.

I've got one of the Denso relays you posted years ago, but I've not installed it. I did a new celica FPR and once I go through all the sensors and connections, I'll feel better.

I really wanted to leave the EGR on for the performance gain of a little more timing, but this engine is very crusty. All of the crud from when it was carbon locked up has been moving around a ton. I'm running the good Hengst Filter and a Pareto point 5 micron prefilter on this to help get the junk out. I'm running a little bit of ATF in the crank case and I change the oil every 500 miles or sooner. I'm trying to get all the hard carbon deposits out of here.

I think I've settled on the full desmog, but I'll retain the catalytic converters. The intake needs a better cleaning, and I want to reloom the injector harness when I do the sensors.

Also, although this truck was out of tune today...It's far faster than my 2F in the 60 and pulls RPM much faster. Also, the spark plugs are completely clean...my 2F looks like glow plugs in comparison.

 

[HemiAlex]

It runs, and pretty nicely at that. I'm happy with it. I notice that the 3FE is a more clattery and noisy motor. I think it's all in the curved aluminum intake and the injectors that I'm not used to having.

 

[HemiAlex]

Next steps:

Brake rebuild, brake hoses and knuckles.

I expect to be on the stands for a while, but it will be done right. No exceptions.

 

[HemiAlex]

A picture of the truck back in the day. This was a printed picture that came with the documentation.

Maybe late 90’s.

 

[HemiAlex]

Before and after drum cleanup.

I’m replacing wheel cylinders and lines, then leaving it all alone.

It’s gonna be fine.

I’m not used to this.

 

[Skniper]

A picture of the truck back in the day. This was a printed picture that came with the documentation.

Maybe late 90’s.

View attachment 3424066

Wow, mine looked exactly like that (sans the roof rack) around '96 when I found it.

 

[js0k]

World's worst car

 

[HemiAlex]

Small victories.

I replaced the booster with a 2nd gen 4Runner unit from RockAuto. I used the adjustment tool and it over adjusted the booster and preloaded the brakes, so the front wheels wouldn’t turn.

I had to remove the master and back out the adjuster screw a little. Thanks to @CruiserTrash for helping me think back.


Brakes feel good now.

I also cleaned the rear frame ground, added a jumper wire from the hinge to the latch on the rear hatch and also cleaned and adjusted the rear hatch latch.

All of this got my rear license plate light to work.

 

[HemiAlex]

Then I took it for a spin.

It runs great but it’s not 2F smooth yet. This engine was completely gunked up and I get some of the most random sulphur smells and puffs of stuff out the exhaust.

I just need to keep changing the oil and driving it.

It also has no carpet in it which is only amplifying all the noises. I need to get this more civil.

The truck drives great. It’s practically a ripper.

 

[Hokie LX]

Brought back from the dead.

 

[HemiAlex]

Brought back from the dead.

We’re still resurrecting daily.

 

[HemiAlex]

The modified shifter linkage and auto trans cover by @cruisermatt installed. He also supplied all of my missing linkage parts for the main transmission pin, bushings, pins and cotter pins. I’m using his auto trans shifter delete plate. One stop shopping.

Next up, more insulation and finally carpet.

 

[HemiAlex]

I’m going for the true 1989 Range Rover competitor but not a complete piece of junk.

Still charms the heck out of me to have one completely stock.

 

[CruiserTrash]

@HemiAlex glad the license plate lights got sorted out. Now the brakes…

 

[HemiAlex]

Not my truck, but a local buddy had his entire truck dry ice blasted and the 3FE just looks so glorious like this.

I’ve never been so amazed as to what a process like this can do.

 

[CruiserTrash]

@HemiAlex What did that cost?

 

[HemiAlex]

more than we can afford.

 

[BigHighBlue]

Went back to stock with my blue truck, I love it

 

[toy_tek]

@HemiAlex What did that cost?

more than we can afford.

Humor us please. =) Not that it would make sense for me to actually do this - would just be covered in dirt after the next trip anyway. But man that looks amazing.

 

[HemiAlex]

I got the belts on today after waiting for them over 2 months.

I can’t find any vacuum leaks and I’m sure that the engine is tired. So we’re here about 17 inches of vacuum.

I need to run this more. It runs great but I’m sure there’s still more gunk snd stuff that needs to move more. I feel the lifters are still a little noisy.