Help finding an engine

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poudre1

poudre1

1976 FJ40 1978 fj40 2010 FJ Cruiser
10 Year
Joined
Mar 17, 2014
Threads
6
Messages
19
Location
Fort Collins, CO
I need help finding a running 2f engine.
Here are my options :
1. I have a seized 1983 2f that my mechanic says will cost $5,000-$6,000 to rebuild
2. a used, not-rebuilt engine - there are some on craigslist or from a salvage yard $500-$1200
3. a rebuilt motor from an online company - there are several that have rebuilt motors with warranties from $2100-$3500.

Here's what I want : I'm doing a frame off restoration and want a good running engine that I won't have to rebuild in a few years. I'm nervous about buying a rebuilt motor from an online company, I don't know what parts they have used and have read some negative reviews online. I don't want to spend $6,000 on my current motor either! I'm also nervous about buying a motor that "ran when it was pulled" I've seen what happens when an engine sits - even in a dry place.

Is it just me or does it seem like all of these choices are a gamble? I just want the best odds.
 
Man a fre has there "Performance" 2F but I'm not sure if they still build them. My friend has one and I gotta say it's amazing what they have done to that motor the power increase is incredible. Also I believe you can send them you're motor and have them rebuild that one. I recently did a rebuild for around $1500 and my motor runs great. I had Martin Davidson from Man a fre do my RV cam and you get a core from your old one I believe it was $300 with everything you need. I then order my whole rebuild kit minus the cam and cam bearings and gaskets from Clegg engine and machine for $310 it came with everything you need. Everything from them is made by ITM and it's the best deal I could find out there. For gaskets I got a Felpro kit for $90.
I'm not sure where you live but there is a running motor here in central valley California for $250 with the tranny
 
Jason (Cruiseryard.com) was advertising an FJ60 2f a while back.

THIS is the place I will turn to, if/when I need an engine. I can't find their email right now, but if you can get it to them, they will remove your old engine, install a new engine and get it ready to go in about 2 weeks (they'll quote a time frame), for the price shown ($2600 + $1100 labor) plus incidentals, belts, hoses, etc.

Give them a call and see if it is something that might help you.

hth
 
Stay away from cruiserparts with big ticket items, they say they ship their engines with 150psi the one i got and eventually kept was 110-120, the replacement was rebuilt some time ago to .030 or .040 (can't remember) and it had a spun bearing on it.
 
I found one at lowmileageparts.com in New Jersey for $1200 with free shipping - they say it has good compression. hmmm... do I feel like gambling today?
 
If I was to redo my 2f right now I would use a Jasper if they offered it (they do not have them in every state). The cost of a jasper unit with a warranty was cheaper than what I spent on building a complete 2f motor and mine has no warranty. Before too many pile on Jasper sources local shops for most of their oddball engines, so the Jasper in your area is different than the one in mine. I have been using them for years and with a couple of exceptions, (they have always made it right), had very few issues with their builds.
 
find a toyota savy machinist and have it rebuilt. this if you can't find a decent runner...crate engines are mass produced and done so w/o care for who may end up using it. Used motors from a commercial business are also a no-go(cruiser oriented business like Cruiseryard, Cruiser outfitterss etc are OK, just not the "buy used japanese engines" warehouse, or jasper or summit or anyplace that isn't specifically toyota oriented) A decent machinist should be able to fully overhaul your 2F for less than 3K. Again, find a decent toyota savy guy to do the work- a good machinist who isn't familiar with the nuances of the F series will mess some things up. and don't do business with the faceless...they do not care about you or the outcome.....one more thing, when rebuilding the motor, leave the oil pump mounting boss bolted to the inside rail of the block; pulling it will make it difficult to get realigned...which will make installing/removing your dizzy unpossible.
 
I wouldn't go rebuilt. the problem from what I understand is that they machine everything for maximum allowable tolerances. If something isn't right you will basically have a bunch of scrap parts and wont be able to remachine the crank or go with a larger piston. I think your best bet would be finding a used engine that someone can vouch for. There are plenty of people doing diesel swaps on 60s and 40s that will have good used engines. Im going to be pulling my 2f from my 87 fj60 sometime in the spring in favor of a 12ht. I recently replaced the rear main seal and oil pan gasket along with new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, valve cover gasket, and valve adjustment always using all Toyota parts. I will be doing the water pump, timing cover and front crank seal next week in preparation for an upcoming road trip.
 
I just gave a running 2F away for free! To bad your on the other side of the world! 2F's are are only worth scrap value over hear.
 
Buying used motor is buying a motor that will be tired. If somebody has a good motor they would be keeping it. A local rebuild is best and you will know what you have. I can't believe you would go through the trouble of a frame off and consider throwing in a used 30+ old engine. You can have the basic machine work done for $1000 or so plus parts and do the assembly disassembly yourself and save $. If you are going to do it, do it right the first time.
 
roma042987 said:
I wouldn't go rebuilt. the problem from what I understand is that they machine everything for maximum allowable tolerances. If something isn't right you will basically have a bunch of scrap parts and wont be able to remachine the crank or go with a larger piston. I think your best bet would be finding a used engine that someone can vouch for. There are plenty of people doing diesel swaps on 60s and 40s that will have good used engines. Im going to be pulling my 2f from my 87 fj60 sometime in the spring in favor of a 12ht. I recently replaced the rear main seal and oil pan gasket along with new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, valve cover gasket, and valve adjustment always using all Toyota parts. I will be doing the water pump, timing cover and front crank seal next week in preparation for an upcoming road trip.
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this is what is wrong with the crate motors, and a great deal of the rebuilts...which is why I said to find a good toyota savvy guy. the machinist described above is what happens when you don't do your homework, and don't demand exacting tolorances. one should have a personal relationship with anyone grinding on the inside bits of their engines....
 
I notice you are in Fort Collins. I hope your mechanic is not Lloyds service, if they are I would get another opinion. They are scam artists. They charged the PO of my rig $5700 to rebuild a 400 that didn't need it and actually replaced it with a low end 350 that wasn't rebuilt with Marvels Mystery oil to hide the leaks

The 2F isn't that bad to rebuild your self. You have a shop do the head. You can do some your self and have others do as well

There are also several places that I would recommend for land cruisers like Adventure offroad (Robbie - Powderpig on the forum), or Joe C in Conifer up at CTS or Colorado speed and Chassis in Aurora

If you have ideas of every going the V8 route, now is a time to think about it as well or even putting in a 3FE from a 60 series
 
or better yet, a 3FE from an fj62...
 
In Colorado for a 2f rebuild many people have been happy with CTS in Conifer. Im not sure how much they will charge. 2F's are getting more expensive to build these days. A 2FE would be cool but more expensive and wiring intensive. One thing you could do is just drop a cheap used motor in for now to get it running. Many people get overwhelmed with the work of a complete frame off and rebuild of everything all at once and just give up.
 
$5-6,000!!!!!!! Whoaaaa!!!!! That guy must be high! I have a very good local machine shop rebuild my 2F's (long block) for about $2,000. He also rebuilds my 22R/RE's. The owner (honest and trustworthy) does all the work himself and has been machining and rebuilding engines since the 1950's. Never had a problem with any of them done by him. So, shop around for a good quality and reputable shop that knows 2F's. I think any of the reputable Landcruiser shops would also be fine.
 
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