how long for a v8 conversion? (1 Viewer)

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Feb 14, 2006
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Doing a 3 spd f motor to a standard 350 and landcruiser 4 speed. Me and my partner are mechanically inclined. about how many hours you think it will take? Im hoping I can get it done in a weekend.
 
What do you have for tools? Welder? Cherry picker? Jacks and stands? Do you already have all the mounts and brackets done/purchased.

If you have the 350 drive train pre-assembled it is possible, but there are soo many things that can slow you down. From rusted bolts to grinding rivets and welding brackets. You could probably get it in but it may not be clean and trouble free. Be prepared to install/remove the drivetrain several times. It might help to have a FJ40 there with a SBC for real time reference.
 
agree on getting one there to look at, it will help a ton. same as above these bolts are old rivets suck etc

might take you longer than you think. but its not that complicated
 
If you cannot get one there, search on this site or get someone on this site that has one done right to post up the measurements of where to mount etc. With so many of these fj40's with SBC's in them it should be a cookie cutter operation by now. Not sure if there are posts with details and measurements for you, but hard to believe if you do your homework you would not be able to get in right the first time.
 
I could see getting it installed in the truck in a weekend. Being finished would be hard.

Custom driveshafts, wiring, modifying the mounts so they work, relocating the rad, modifying the transmission tunnel, and countless other things will all slow you down. I'd count on at least two weekends, one to get it in the truck and one to wrap it all up.

I'd budget more time... And if your done sooner all the better.
 
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I did mine 14 years ago, solo, and I think I had about 100 hours into it.

I didn't have anyone to guide me, and only a couple of instalation guides with a rough measurement for crank center.
 
I agree with all of the above. It took me about a day to rewire everything back in, 2 wire alternator, possible relocation of the battery, make sure you leave enough room between the firewall and distributor so it can be adjusted easily.
The drive shafts took 2-3 days to have rebuilt and couldn't be done until I was happy with the location of the motor.

Good Luck
 
Here's a related question.

If you were to have a 4.3L chevy v6 installed already and wanted to up in size to the 350 it's just a simple in and out right? Since the 4.3 and 350 share the same mounting points and hoopla. Right?
 
dont know about now but on a 3 speed all we did was swap the front and rear drive shaft to move the motor forward .its tough to do in a weekend unless you have all the parts.we did these back in the 70s and they were pretty simple.if i remember we used the stock toyota rad hose for the lower and a 68 chev hose for the upper.the cable throttle was pretty simple and we used the stock sending units and gauges.seems like these days everything has to be complicated and cost a lot of money to work right.petersons even had a swap in one of their books on a toyota v8 conversion.we made our own exhaust using off the shelf parts.
 
Yes and no.

Here's a related question.

If you were to have a 4.3L chevy v6 installed already and wanted to up in size to the 350 it's just a simple in and out right? Since the 4.3 and 350 share the same mounting points and hoopla. Right?

Yes, the mounting points are the same.

No, the 350 is longer and has two more cylinders. You'll likely need: new exhaust, new clutch, to relocate the rad, and to possibly do more... Depending on the original mounting location.

Best case it's very straight forward, worst case, you're redoing all of it.:cheers:
 

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