Need some collective wisdom, rebuild or install and drive it!

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Joined
Apr 25, 2006
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Just removed the SBC from my '78 and have a non-US '81 2F just sitting there ready to install. I've thought through all the permutations about what to do with the '81 that's going in now that it's sitting on my garage floor. This motor has around 150K miles on her and I've gone from thinking that I'd just have the head done, slap her back and install, to a full on rebuild of the motor.

Now, when I pulled the '81 it had a genuine 155#'s per each cylinder. I did the check myself and was driven around in the vehicle prior to us pulling the motor. I just pulled the valve cover off and it's REALLY nice under there. No sludge but not exactly off the shelf new. No history on the vehicle as it came from Austrailia. The back freeze plug on the head is spray painted black and the pop up guage is still intact. I'm now wondering if this thing was rebuilt or at least the head done some time ago and now I'm thinking that I should just replace the clutch and water pump, rebuild the non-US carb and bolt her up and drive her until a later time. I do have a beautiful '81 that needs to have her newly rebuilt motor installed too. Good idea or bad?

What's the deal with the splines? It's like 19 or 20 on the end of the '81 transmission to T/C, and the '78 has much fewer on the FRONT of the transmission. Will the 19/20 tooth slide into the T/C or do I need to continue to use the '78's transmission?

Thanks for your input!
 
My opinion on the motor is to run it as is. New fluids now, maybe again very soon, then run the fool out of it. I rebuilt a 2F that I REALLY wish now I would just have run. It is easy to pull a 2F. If it craps out on you rebuild it then. 155 is gooooood.
 
Thanks man....I'm definately leaning that way. Why wouldn't I just use up what may be a rebuilt motor, or at worst, a good running motor? I appreciate your thoughts and I think I'll just clutch it, water pump it, rebuild the carb and drive the heck out of it before I spend around $3000 for machine work and parts.

Thanks again.
 
The rockers are BEAUTIFUL...actually, I'll try to get a photo of it. But I'm thinking, man, what are you doing this looks so good and the 155# per cylinder is consistent and solid. It did run like a beast when I was shown the motor. The guy I bought it from was installing Ford V8 in his '81 Troopy and didn't want the motor. But he drove me around in it before we pulled it and it ran really nice! It's got a Toyota thermostat in it too so I know someone at least did not skimp in other areas.

Thanks again.
 
I say run it. 155# per cylinder is good numbers.

By rebuilding it now, all you are saving yourself is the labor of possibly doing this install twice. Around my garage, labor is free ( I ain't paying me :hillbilly:).
 
Thanks guys....I'm going to drop her in and run her. You can't argue with the collective wisdom of so much experience, and I thank you.

I'll be posting pics once she's got the new clutch, carb and water pump (intake and exhaust manifold gaskets too) and I've slipped the motor back into the waiting transplant patient. This will be my first time ever driving an FJ40 and I'm looking forward to it.

Thanks again to all who responded! I do appreciate it!
 
Honestly I don't think any of us above have any collective wisdom and this is where you have to roll the dice on internet advice. Just because I have a lot of post doesn't mean I know jack squat about what would work best for you. Now if Steve (aka) Poser, Mark W, or Grant posted up I'd take their advice.

Also I'd be replacing the rear main seal since it is right there and adding a a bead of sealant around the outside of the cam plug. If it might have been rebuilt I'd check the oil galley plug in the head if it looks like it's never been replaced I'd tap it and put a set crew in it. If you don't know what this is just search oil galley plug. Other than that I'd just run it. Once you crack the head open it can get really slippery from there.

I myself thought I would just crack the head on mine and replace the headgasket. Once I saw what it looked like I ended up spending about 5k on that motor.

You just need to remember the best part about owning a cruiser is driving it. It's hard to do that when you engine is sitting on a stand. Myself and Eventhough (Steve) above can agree with that.
 
I just sold a 2f with 150-160 psi cold and dry....strong engine. I'm now kicking myself taht I didnt keep it for my 79 project, esp since the rebuild in my 76 ran 3K and we are still chasing oil leaks.:bang:
 

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