- Thread starter
- #21
I had it towed to the shop. I just changed the oil when I changed the oil pan gasket and haven't driven it since. This was literally right before I changed carbs and the original dizzy failed.
Help! Distributor issues causing engine seizure? 1984 FJ60
- Thread starter AlYamoni
- Start date
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Shop's name?
- Thread starter
- #23
Dang. I hope this shop doesn't give me a run around. To think, just last week I was so close to the finish line. I'm beyond words.We realize your lack of experience is hampering describing what has happened or could have happened.
You don't have a points distributor: It is an electronic Distributor.
When the Distributor is FULLY SEATED, meaning the flat part in the original distributor is fully against the engine block, the 'Flat' nib on the bottom of both distributor shafts, is supposed to slip into a slot in the top of the OIL PUMP gear shaft. The oil pump is what will pressurize and pump oil throughout the engine when it is running.
The GEAR you see on both distributors engages with the CAM SHAFT and when the motor is turned, either by hand or is started, the distributor turns.
So, IF the distributor is not FULLY SEATED, the engine may turn over and RUN, but NO OIL will be pumped through the engine, because the distributor shaft is not seated, and the bearings and other components will seize from no lubrication. This won't happen immediately, it can take several minutes or longer depending on type of oil in the motor and how it is pushed, but the whole time the ENGINE will be screaming, there is something wrong!
If the engine is now SEIZED, and you did not RUN the engine - you were unable to get it started - the shop did it.
FWIW, that aftermarket distributor is dangerous junk:
HEI Complete Distributor 65K Coil Straight 6 41-62 194, 216, 235, 68-87 Compatible with Early Chevrolet Land Cruiser FJ40 FJ60 2F 3F One Wire Installation Black Cap
A-Team's HEI Distributor has everything you need, all under one cap. With a high-quality aluminum housing and hardened steel dual bushing construction, it is built to last.swperformanceparts.com
- Thread starter
- #24
Point S
Woods Cross UT
Was it running with the old distributor?
The FJ60 distributor is designed such that when it is bolted to the block the oil pump drive will be engaged. There's a flange on the dizzy body with a slot for the hold down bolt and the only way to bolt the flange down is to have the dizzy properly engaged.
Your new distributor does not have the incorporated hold down, from the pics it appears that the hold down is a separate clamp, i.e. FJ40 style, and unless the mechanic that installed the distributor may have thought the dizzy was engaged with the oil pump drive and secured it. Engine will crank but not pump oil leading to seizure.
The FJ60 distributor is designed such that when it is bolted to the block the oil pump drive will be engaged. There's a flange on the dizzy body with a slot for the hold down bolt and the only way to bolt the flange down is to have the dizzy properly engaged.
Your new distributor does not have the incorporated hold down, from the pics it appears that the hold down is a separate clamp, i.e. FJ40 style, and unless the mechanic that installed the distributor may have thought the dizzy was engaged with the oil pump drive and secured it. Engine will crank but not pump oil leading to seizure.
- Thread starter
- #26
It was running yes.
Then I think the issue points to the installation of the new distributor.
- Thread starter
- #29
Hindsight is a bitch sometimes. Now I know. It failed somehow after I replaced the carb. I tried looking into rebuilding it but made this mistake instead. Woof
How did you establish that the distributor has failed? What were the root cause(s) of the failure? As others have said, propose you take a step by step approach to asses what the status is and then we can assist:
Steps:
1. Confirm if engine is indeed seized by turning crank.
2. If engine is free, then install factory dizzy per FSM and instructions provided in earlier posts.
3. Turn engine over with one spark plug removed to confirm spark.
4. If no spark, then report back here. JimC can perform dizzy rebuilds and is a member here.
5. If spark exists, then you are close and should re-confirm if dizzy is correct ( #1 cylinder is at compression stroke)
Hope this helps.
Cheers, James
- Thread starter
- #31
Yes, thank you. I've been through all of these steps with the ignitor, coil, etc. No spark with factory dizzy. Coil and ignitor were confirmed working. I was able to get spark with the new dizzy. I would very much be interested in a rebuild from JimC
4runner2FJ60
SILVER Star
An actual phone call is the way. Toyota Land Cruiser specialty parts - https://tlcperformance.com/
Jim does great work . He rebuild a dizzy and carb for me. Turnaround was about 6 months . Well worth the wait . I bought a used carb and dizzy to send to him so I could still use my rig while waiting.
Absolutely NO! I have no experience with it, but the main problem with those cheap CCP HEI Dissys is the cam gear fails, as well as Ignition Module failure. When the gear failure happens at speed, your engine is toast. Interesting though how that linked dissy manufacturer mentions the gear issue.
If I were to use any of those HEI distributors, it would only be a genuine DUI HEI, and those have had quality issues, too, since production of the OEM GM units stopped and has moved aftermarket overseas.
Toyota Landcruiser DUI Distributor – Performance Distributors
performancedistributors.com
- Thread starter
- #35
There were many options far cheaper but dually noted. This stupid thing was over 300 and was supposedly for an FJ60.Absolutely NO! I have no experience with it, but the main problem with those cheap CCP HEI Dissys is the cam gear fails, as well as Ignition Module failure. When the gear failure happens at speed, your engine is toast. Interesting though how that linked dissy manufacturer mentions the gear issue.
If I were to use any of those HEI distributors, it would only be a genuine DUI HEI, and those have had quality issues, too, since production of the OEM GM units stopped and has moved aftermarket overseas.
Toyota Landcruiser DUI Distributor – Performance Distributors
- Thread starter
- #36
Thank the gods the engine is free again.
I second what @Spike Strip said about that cheap distributor. I once had one (different brand) when my 2F was younger. It crapped out on the highway. Had it towed to a shop, they found the distributor had failed. We brought the original distributor to the shop to reinstall and it’s been fine since. That was probably 13-14 years ago. All I’ve done since then was change the shaft seal and swapped a good vacuum advance onto it. Kinda crazy how reliable the OG is.
If you can send the original to JIm C. Mine took about 5-6 weeks to get back. When my original distributor was being rebuilt I ran this kit Man-A-Fre "Lightning Strike" Vacuum Advance HEI Distributor Kit for 1975-1987 Toyota Land Cruisers - Landcruiser Parts - https://manafrelv.com/product/vacuum-advance-distributor-for-manafre-lightning-strike-hei-ignition-system/. The 60 ran great with it but I do remember getting it to seat properly was a pain in the a$$. Took me probably 2 dozen stabs to get it right. Once I got original back took one stab slide into place like butter. Then I post the HEI kit on mud and sold for 75 less then I paid. So that is on option.
