Machine Shop Referral (1 Viewer)

[splitrock]

Well, it appears that I have a head gasket leak on my fj40 and since the cylinder head needs to come off, I should take this opportunity to have the head re-conditioned. Can anyone recomend a machine shop in the Gaithersburg-Rockville area that does good work?

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Dale recommended these guys and I used them for my head. Good shop.

Burtonsville Performance Machine Service
5210 Minnik Rd.
Laurel, MD 301/384-3595 Chuck

 

[splitrock]

Thanks. I will give them a call. I will keep my fingers crossed that it is just the head and nothing else. I am afraid I may get carried away and rebuid everything up to the axles.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Are you getting bubbling in your overflow bottle? Does the overflow bottle smell overly of coolant?'

Did you do a compression test, wet/dry? I knew my head was warped when I removed the two headbolts to mount the powersteering pump and coolant came out. I also had them check the valves when they replaced the valve seals. I only had them go to flat, 8 thousands.

I had the dealer mail them the rebuild kit, but woulda been better if I had dropped it off along with the head, on hindsight.

 

[splitrock]

The engine compression dry is not promising:
1- 134
2- 128
3- 129
4- 130
5- 129
6- 133

I have not done the wet test yet. Hopefully tommarrow
I am losing coolant slowly and there is a sweet smell in the exhaust. The head gasket is seeping near the # 1 cylinder. The engine also has a miss in it and gets worse when hotter. I have checked and rechecked the coil, ignitor, distributor, fuel delivery, emissions, vacuum, valve adjustement and have a new carb. A little more investigation should hopefully reveal the answer.

 

[76FJ40]

If you've got the head off, get it milled to raise your compression. It's the best bang for the buck I've gotten with my 40. Mark Watley says that you can mill the head 0.100". I had mine milled 0.080" because I wasn't sure if it had been decked before. You'll have to use at 89 octane gas, but the improvement in power is worth it.

 

[splitrock]

I am starting to think that the rings may be worn as well. I am not sure how many miles the engine has on it. If the odometer is right, its 135K which is not alot for a 2F. I think I may need to get some opinions on this.

I do not want to pull the head and then realize that I need to re-do the engine. I enjoy spending time in my garage with my cruiser and cold beers but I am limited on time and would like to drive it this summer.

 

[76FJ40]

The wet test will tell you if it's rings or valves.

 

[splitrock]

I re-checked the compression again both wet and dry. With the throttle held wide open the compression ranged from 149-154. There really was no difference in readings. The compression slowly built up with each revoution of the engine. Does anyone know if that is normal?

 

[John Smith]

If nothing changed when wet then it is the valves and not rings. I think the top end is a lot easier to deal with then the bottom end.

 

[76FJ40]

Your dry readings ranged from 129 - 134 and your wet readings ranged from 149 - 154 so you did have a change if I understand your posts. As I recall from the FSM, the normal range is around 150 and the "time for a rebuild" is about 125. If I'm correct, you're still in the OK range but it looks like your rings are wearing.