Builds Let's Baseline my new to me 1993 Land Cruiser (1 Viewer)

[PNWTreeOctopus]

I've called two more places on my short list of mechanics.

The first one no longer does HG repairs. "We don't take on huge jobs anymore." for the best.
The second shop was recommended in a clubhouse for this part of the world and they are a Land Rover specialty shop, but apparently have a couple folks there who work on Land Cruisers. I spoke with a technician and they said they were not sure if they would be willing to take on the work, but they would ask the owner and see if they wanted the job. I was told he would call me back as he was at lunch. That was yesterday and I haven't heard back yet. Not holding my breath for a return call at this point, but i understand if your a mechanic shop you cant fix cars and talk on the phone at the same time....

Not entirely off the table is putting the rig on a transport to have the work done at a cruiser shop of my choosing (that is again willing to do this work). It would obviously cost me $$$ to ship it to have the work done, but then I could have that piece of mind that it was in the hands of someone experienced and familiar with the 1fzfe. I have no idea how much that would cost.

Actually, I havent even gotten close to cost yet...as I cant find anyone who will do the bloody work (albiet I'm being particular).

Then there is the other question...the darker question. At what point/dollar amount is this repair no longer worth it? Im not sure how to approach answering this one. I have funds to cover the repair--im not in a money stress place, but I do want to make sure I am spending my money wisely. When Im done with this engine work I really want this truck to be in the most reliable place it can be mechanically. Again all because I need a shop space. If I get to the point where its not worth it am I walking away from this LC? That sounds crazy...

 

[duece71]

I've called two more places on my short list of mechanics.

The first one no longer does HG repairs. "We don't take on huge jobs anymore." for the best.
The second shop was recommended in a clubhouse for this part of the world and they are a Land Rover specialty shop, but apparently have a couple folks there who work on Land Cruisers. I spoke with a technician and they said they were not sure if they would be willing to take on the work, but they would ask the owner and see if they wanted the job. I was told he would call me back as he was at lunch. That was yesterday and I haven't heard back yet. Not holding my breath for a return call at this point, but i understand if your a mechanic shop you cant fix cars and talk on the phone at the same time....

Not entirely off the table is putting the rig on a transport to have the work done at a cruiser shop of my choosing (that is again willing to do this work). It would obviously cost me $$$ to ship it to have the work done, but then I could have that piece of mind that it was in the hands of someone experienced and familiar with the 1fzfe. I have no idea how much that would cost.

Actually, I havent even gotten close to cost yet...as I cant find anyone who will do the bloody work (albiet I'm being particular).

Then there is the other question...the darker question. At what point/dollar amount is this repair no longer worth it? Im not sure how to approach answering this one. I have funds to cover the repair--im not in a money stress place, but I do want to make sure I am spending my money wisely. When Im done with this engine work I really want this truck to be in the most reliable place it can be mechanically. Again all because I need a shop space. If I get to the point where its not worth it am I walking away from this LC? That sounds crazy...

IMO…
It would be best to exhaust ALL avenues before walking away. You will lose a lot of $$$ trying to sell it as is. Keep looking around, call some transport outfits and see what kind of $$$ it would cost to ship the truck.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

IMO…
It would be best to exhaust ALL avenues before walking away. You will lose a lot of $$$ trying to sell it as is. Keep looking around, call some transport outfits and see what kind of $$$ it would cost to ship the truck.

Oh absolutely, I have many thousands of dollars into my rig at this point. Let it be known I’m not close to that place, but what is that threshold? I don’t kow the answer to that.

 

[baldilocks]

Would it be impossible for you to remove the engine yourself? It would be cheaper to ship only the long block to whoever you decide would care enough to do the same quality work you would do yourself. This is a huge concern in my opinion. Lots of “mechanics” can disassemble and reassemble an inline 6. With no skin in the game, they won’t do the rebuild like it was their own baby though. And what about customer service during and after? Integrity is harder to find than experience.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Would it be impossible for you to remove the engine yourself? It would be cheaper to ship only the long block to whoever you decide would care enough to do the same quality work you would do yourself. This is a huge concern in my opinion. Lots of “mechanics” can disassemble and reassemble an inline 6. With no skin in the game, they won’t do the rebuild like it was their own baby though. And what about customer service during and after. Integrity is harder to find than experience.

While not impossible to remove the engine myself, it's not very practical. How long does it take to swap an engine? I am realizing that I really don't have a clue about the scale of this project. I also imagine that some engines are ready to instal and others are needing lots of parts bolted on before they go in. Again this is very new territory here.

My wife is really uneasy about the idea of me taking on this project--mostly because my track record for completing projects is fine, but the time required to complete them is often long, which is fair if you've been following along on this thread.

I'm really reluctant to try and play Tetris with a non-running truck in my driveway. It's one car wide and currently has two trucks and a canoe trailer in it. I can imagine some scenarios where if my only choice was to do the work in the driveway I could do it. I know I probably could get the engine on a stand and into the garage...it's my last resort to go this route, despite it being what I really want to do. I dont want the LC to be a force of frustration. Its whole job is to be fun. I have other cars.

I absolutely hear you about the quality and care of work. It seems utterly impossible to find a mechanic in a new place for something like this scenario. Given the need I have for this engine to be more reliable than before the HG failure when the job is complete., and it being an old and obscure engine here in BFE midwest land, I don't have much hope.

rambling on...

 

[FMC80]

While not impossible to remove the engine myself, it's not very practical. How long does it take to swap an engine? I am realizing that I really don't have a clue about the scale of this project. I also imagine that some engines are ready to instal and others are needing lots of parts bolted on before they go in. Again this is very new territory here.

My wife is really uneasy about the idea of me taking on this project--mostly because my track record for completing projects is fine, but the time required to complete them is often long, which is fair if you've been following along on this thread.

I'm really reluctant to try and play Tetris with a non-running truck in my driveway. It's one car wide and currently has two trucks and a canoe trailer in it. I can imagine some scenarios where if my only choice was to do the work in the driveway I could do it. I know I probably could get the engine on a stand and into the garage...it's my last resort to go this route, despite it being what I really want to do. I dont want the LC to be a force of frustration. Its whole job is to be fun. I have other cars.

I absolutely hear you about the quality and care of work. It seems utterly impossible to find a mechanic in a new place for something like this scenario. Given the need I have for this engine to be more reliable than before the HG failure when the job is complete., and it being an old and obscure engine here in BFE midwest land, I don't have much hope.

rambling on...

G, sorry to hear about your challenges in finding a competent mechanic. You’ve always been pragmatic and logical, but selling isn’t the right answer in my mind. Especially if you have a blown HG (or any non-running condition), you’re in a disadvantaged position when selling.

I hope you can get this worked out, ai don’t have any other advice other than to make this decision without emotions.

Sometimes my wife and I play through these scenarios by pretending I’m @Feldrian and she’s playing her part too and we find ourselves in a position where money is no object, then what would we do?

The answer is keep the forking cruiser and find a place to send it to and get it done right. Peace of mind matters. As Steve said, finding a shop with integrity matters and it will cost to play. Are you done playing with your cruiser? Is your family done playing with the cruiser?

I ask about the fam because if your fam is like mine, my kids LOVE the cruiser, so they get a soft vote in my casa. I mentioned potentially selling mine because we have another to rebuild. I was quickly overruled.

I remind my fam it’s just a vehicle, but we get attached to things and have to fight against that instinct.

I sincerely hope you find someone closer to you to do the work and have a solid vehicle to enjoy for several more years…maybe one of the kids will take it over

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

All is well team. I’m not selling the cruiser. Especially not with a Blown HG. I would be sad to give it away. My philosophical pondering is just that and probably a little alarming to my fellow cult forum members. I’m not abandoning all hope or reason.

if it needs to get trailered to wherever that’s what I’ll do. I will have it fixed. I will fix it myself, or source it out to some extra fantastic place.

 

[duece71]

Please keep us updated on what happens. Everyone on here is interested in your progress, even if just from a learning perspective. I might someday venture into the gasoline powered world of the 80 series so any and all information is very helpful. Subbed and good luck, keep at it, you will find success.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Please keep us updated on what happens. Everyone on here is interested in your progress, even if just from a learning perspective. I might someday venture into the gasoline powered world of the 80 series so any and all information is very helpful. Subbed and good luck, keep at it, you will find success.

Oh I will keep rambling on about how this goes. This is clearly the beginning of Book 2 in the Land Cruiser build. I'm still having a little fun figuring out the possibilities, despite the high cost anything will incur. Thanks for the encouragement!

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

I just got a quote from a local mechanic. I found this shop through some internet searching its called Dynotech. Owned by the same guy since 1978. when I called to inquire about a HG job the receptionist put me on the phone with the owner. He happily answered my questions and has an old school feel. Shop has been in business for 40 years and the owner and his son operate it. He said they recently had two 40 series come through for work. When I asked him about parts he said he was only willing to use Toyota parts, which was reassuring. I also asked him about the machine shop he uses, specifically what kind of relationship he has given he has been in business for 40+ years. I enjoyed talking with him. Quote was for $3k which includes basic machining. If the head needs more work, then the cost will obviously go up.

Gut instinct after talking to this dude is that i'm dealing with a grownup who cares about doing good work, and understands that I'm a Land Cruiser enthusiast who cares a lot about my vehicle and "gets"my idiosyncrasies...at least thus far.

What other questions should I be asking this guy? Before I start spending some big money?

 

[Irish Reiver]

There will no doubt be a "While we are in here" list that you need to seriously consider. A Toyota head gasket kit is about $150 so you have an idea about how much of this quote is labour. Lots of things like front and rear main seals, water pump, coolant hoses, vacuum hoses, sensors etc that might end up on your shopping list and probably worth doing when you have the opportunity.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

There will no doubt be a "While we are in here" list that you need to seriously consider. A Toyota head gasket kit is about $150 so you have an idea about how much of this quote is labour. Lots of things like front and rear main seals, water pump, coolant hoses, vacuum hoses, sensors etc that might end up on your shopping list and probably worth doing when you have the opportunity.

Thanks for the thoughts. point taken on labor cost.

but because i love a little banter....Toyota MSRP of 0411166036 (engine gasket kit) is $657.80 as of today May 31, 2024! 0411166036 form Partsouq to my door is $328.00. I was surprised that parts weren't listed for more in my quote. I'm looking at labor as punishment for my inability to make this repair happen on my own....and for the abosolute convience of paying for someone else's time.

The list of While you are in there I've seen so far that i have already done within the last 10k-ish miles:
-injector service
-Fuel filter
-waterpump
-thermostat
-Fan clutch
-Radiator
-Spark plugs, plug wires
-Spark plug o-rings
-oil pump o-ring
-cooling hoses (large and esp small under plenum)
-vacuum lines
-front main seal
-unwrap and inspect the main wiring harness
-Add heat shield to portion of wiring harness by EGR
-removed PAIR system

Things I haven't done that I'm considering addressing (while i'm in there):
-leaky rear main seal

This is my thinking so far. Keep the excellent questions. I DO really appreciate it!

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Thank god I have another old Toyota to use when one breaks down..

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Decision Made

Truck is heading into have the HG replaced on Thursday. I've now talked to the owner and one of the Technicians, and they were both very customer focused and patient with my questions. They also are both familiar with the 1FZ-FE. All good feeling so far. Hopefully we end up with a happy conclusion. I will keep you posted.

 

[FMC80]

All is well team. I’m not selling the cruiser. Especially not with a Blown HG. I would be sad to give it away. My philosophical pondering is just that and probably a little alarming to my fellow cult forum members. I’m not abandoning all hope or reason.

if it needs to get trailered to wherever that’s what I’ll do. I will have it fixed. I will fix it myself, or source it out to some extra fantastic place.

Let me know if you change your mind and decide to part it out.

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Let me know if you change your mind and decide to part it out.

I have collectible parts…a QPM, land shark reef drawers…

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Blackstone
Report shows coolant in the system. So HG likely was failing or failed at my over heating event that prompted the fluid change. Also of note are fuel contamination. Possible leaky injector. That would be a shame since I just had them serviced.

 

[FMC80]

Blackstone
Report shows coolant in the system. So HG likely was failing or failed at my over heating event that prompted the fluid change. Also of note are fuel contamination. Possible leaky injector. That would be a shame since I just had them serviced.

Solid diagnosis to work with. Interesting about the fuel contamination. are you going to service the injectors again?

 

[PNWTreeOctopus]

Solid diagnosis to work with. Interesting about the fuel contamination. are you going to service the injectors again?

Thats a good question. I can't tell if this would be an injector issue or if it's the seals? Or if the fuel pressure regulator could be the culprit. it's original as far as I can tell. Injector service is cheap compared to the HG, but I would assume they will need to send them out to have it done. My injectors were serviced in 2021. Ive maybe got 8-10k on the truck since then.

 

[FMC80]

Thats a good question. I can't tell if this would be an injector issue or if it's the seals? Or if the fuel pressure regulator could be the culprit. it's original as far as I can tell. Injector service is cheap compared to the HG, but I would assume they will need to send them out to have it done. My injectors were serviced in 2021. Ive maybe got 8-10k on the truck since then.

It seems unlikely that it’s the injectors but maybe one actually s*** the bed and is leaking bad. How many miles do you have on your engine? Fuel could be going past the piston rings…weird. I’d start with the injectors myself. Just to be sure.