intro

[MARLIN375]

I have no idea what i am doing but here goes........if you have not figured it out by now i am a/the NEWBIE.
Had a fj40 for many years.....then the kids came. Had to sell because the outlaws did not like my carseat mounting system in the jumpseats.............the kids are old enough to hang on for themselves and a few months ago I found a 93 fjz80 (1fzfe) full load (my dream ride) hard to find in Canada. I have searched through the FAQ looking for the frost plug hole (and alignment) to put my blockheater ..........any help before I call an Alaskan Toyota Dealer?

 

[IdahoDoug]

Search for block heater and my name. It goes in the right side of the block on cylinder 3, and I've had the best luck with the heating element pointing to the 10:30 position if the freeze plug were a clock face. I suggest you clean the opening well with brake cleaner and use FIPG or black RTV sealant. After about 100,000 miles I had to pull mine as the O ring had deteriorated so on reinstall I used black RTV to augment the O ring. Also don't be tempted to overtighten the allen screw that pulls the brass wings against the inside of the block to hold it in place. Best way to decide direction to point the heating element is to remove the wings and trial fit it. You'll be surprised at how little room for error there is. When you find the precise direction where you can easily push the unit into place without the wings in the way, pull it back out and install. The wings hold it under some tension, but should not be used to seat the unit as they're surprisingly fragile. Seat it all the way in by tapping/pushing with a brass or wood dowel and use the O ring lube that comes in the kit to enable this. You will find it hard to discern how much pressure you're putting on the wings as the allen screw will simply keep turning and distorting the wings inside. When you realize the wings are designed to keep the O ring seated, and NOT to create a lot of force you'll be in the zone. A little pressure and the RTV sealant seems to be the magic combo. If you go without the sealant and the unit weeps a bit of coolant, simply give another half revolution on the allen screw reachable from underneath easily. That scenario is a better one than crushing the wings.

DougM (3 installs under my belt)

PS - welcome and where in Canada??

 

[Aussie]

No help from me, just a BIG welcome aboard lad!

 

[mot]

No help from me...

X2!

Welcome aboard!

 

[MARLIN375]

Thanks Doug. I live in Kelowna British Columbia........not to far from Idaho. So far only myself and a close friend have the only fjz80s in town, afew lexi around and afew more right hand drive Japanese imports. The fjcruisers are sold before they get to the dealers.

 

[Ting]

Another welcome from me too,....