McGuire's '87 FJ60 Build: SOA/ 12H-T swap (2 Viewers)

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Make sure you rebuild the turbo while you're in there!!
Yep that is in the plans! I would really like to get my hands on one of those g-turbos from AUS but that will be way down the line.
 
Yep that is in the plans! I would really like to get my hands on one of those g-turbos from AUS but that will be way down the line.

IMHO it's a better idea to get the motor in and running, then put some miles on her, before you start in on the performance mods.
 
IMHO it's a better idea to get the motor in and running, then put some miles on her, before you start in on the performance mods.

Good sound advice here ^^

J

That's the plan. Right now my goal is to get the motor sealed back up with new gaskets and then plug and play. Luckily everything is checking out so far so I am not going to have to perform an overhaul on this motor. It is a low mileage setup (150,000 ish).

I know that stock this thing will blow my current 2f setup out of the water.
 
Quick question for the masses.

This isn't diesel specific so I thought I should ask it here first. After inspecting the cylinder walls there seems to be a bit of surface rust above the piston tops. Is this something to be concerned about?

I posted this same question and referred to performing a hone and replacing the rings but since all of the gaps are in spec according to the FSM I think that would be pointless.

I rubbed them down w/ marvel mystery oil to eliminate further rusting. Is this something that will disappear once the motor is running again?
 
Pictures of said concern?
 
Pictures will help. If it's really above where the ring lands, then it's likely a non-issue.
 
Picture of said surface rust: Keep in mind that I already coated it w/ oil so it is hard to see. Look to the left of the dirt on the wall right where the top of the piston is. You can kind of see it.
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I'm having a real hard time seeing what you're talking about.

Look right below the little dots of dirt. I can barely see it, but then again It's easier to see in person. The oil obviously made it go away. I assume that it was there due to the motor not running for a few months.
 
Yeah, I don't see anything that's a cause for concern. Just make sure to clean those cylinder walls before the head goes back on and you'll be good.
 
Yeah, I don't see anything that's a cause for concern. Just make sure to clean those cylinder walls before the head goes back on and you'll be good.

Okay, ya I was just a little concerned initially. Obviously the mystery oil did the trick. And I will, everything will
Be nice and clean before I put it back together.
 
Picture of said surface rust: Keep in mind that I already coated it w/ oil so it is hard to see. Look to the left of the dirt on the wall right where the top of the piston is. You can kind of see it.
View attachment 1109242

That looks like it might be the rough surface left by a ridge reamer tool, used to get the pistons out the top. Leaves a funnel shaped cut at the top if you aren't careful. Just my opinion but it would be very odd to have rust above the rings that did not leave a heavy rust line at the ring location itself. But either way as mentioned it is a non-issue if the rough surface is only above the rings.
 
That looks like it might be the rough surface left by a ridge reamer tool, used to get the pistons out the top. Leaves a funnel shaped cut at the top if you aren't careful. Just my opinion but it would be very odd to have rust above the rings that did not leave a heavy rust line at the ring location itself. But either way as mentioned it is a non-issue if the rough surface is only above the rings.

Okay, ya I think I was just getting paranoid about it.
 
An excuse to get a snorkel...
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Ordered some gaskets & seals from Beno, so now it's time to clean some parts in preparation for putting the motor back together! Stay tuned
 
Put some work in on the 12h-t. Got the block, head, valve cover, and intake manifold scrubbed down. The factory blue paint looks pretty cool IMO.

Head and valve cover ready to go:
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turbo side of the block:
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Intake manifold, also cleaned up the heater core:
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Waiting for new head gasket:
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Uncovered the serial number:
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I still need to figure out what I am going to do with the turbo. I might just seal it up and run it till I can afford a high performance one. Other than that everything is ready for the new gaskets and seals!
 
Christmas came early, time to get to work!
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Been pretty busy the past couple of weeks and haven't had time to do an update. Most of my parts came in from Japan 4x4 and @beno (Thank you!!) so i've been busy getting the motor ready to drop in. Re-assymbled the head, changed the front crank seal, and basically have it to the point where I just have to drop the oil pan, change the rear main and then drop it in. Then I will have to take on the not so fun portion of this swap (wiring)...

Today I pulled the 2f out! It was fairly easy, no hangups which was nice. I marked all of the important wires with tape so that whenever I am splicing in the Diesel harness it will be a little bit easier.

I still need to order a starter and alternator, and I need to do so soon so that they don't hold up the operation! Anyways that's really all I have so far, here are some pictures:


Head Gasket:
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Coming back together:
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New front crank seal:
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Bittersweet moment:
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No need for this sticker anymore!
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More to come!
 
Got the motor in last night! Everything lined up great and now I just have to double check the positioning and burn the mounts in for good. It feels good to finally have a diesel in the engine bay.
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Stay tuned!

Edit:I am documenting more of the small details in the diesel section for those who are interested: 12h-t freshen up and swap
 
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