Hello all first time posting, short time lurker. Thanks for the great site.
Let me preface by saying I am no mechanic but I have rebuilt a couple engines, transmission and transfer cases and have installed several lockers and gear sets. No mechanic, but I am familiar with wrenching on things. I am however new to the TLC wold and am quickly learning that locating parts and info is a little more difficult than finding things for a 90 model ford or chevy. Anyway....
I recently acquired a 90 fj80 with a known engine issue. No compression on 1 and 2 so off the head came. The HG was blown between 1 and 2 but other than that it looks ok. The 80 is not at all trashed but it is well used and am trying to decide the best route to go to remedy this problem. It is set up with an OME 2.5" lift, front winch and aussie locker in the rear.
So far this is the only TLC I have ever driven and I have no idea what a properly running 3fe is capable of. I dont want to sink a ton of money into a complete rebuild only to be dissatisfied and end up swapping in an LS (have an Lq4 on a stand now) in a year or 2. However I am very much the type to do things right and do them once.
The options I have come up with so far are:
1. Clean up the head and block the best I can and put it back together with felpro gaskets, but order the OEM set to have for a future date IF I want to do a complete rebuild in the future. I will also install a new water pump and thermostat and maybe reseal the timing cover and install a front main. (if thats possible, havent found out yet what a front gasket R and R entails). I will also most likely send the injectors off to be tested/rebuilt. And I pretty much desmogged it to get the head off. Cats already ran away before I got it. This would allow me to see if I like the 3fe without shelling out a bunch of money up front and decide if I want to gather parts to rebuild it correctly or start gathering parts for an engine swap.
2. Go ahead and pull the engine. Have it and the head checked out/cleaned up and order what I can while I see what bearings and rings I will end up needing and do a complete rebuild.
3. Dont bother doing anything to the 3fe and start gathering parts for either an LS swap or 4bt. I do have an LS sitting here (need to open it up to check condition/reseal) and may have 4bt I can get from a backhoe that I would for sure rebuild and turn up (I deal with diesels on pretty much a daily basis, I'm much more comfortable with them, cummins especially)
I'm sure I forgot some details but will quite typing now as seem to be getting long winded. I have read and read for days but I could really use some advice sooner than later so I can get this ball rolling as soon as possible.
Any info, opinions or advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.
Let me preface by saying I am no mechanic but I have rebuilt a couple engines, transmission and transfer cases and have installed several lockers and gear sets. No mechanic, but I am familiar with wrenching on things. I am however new to the TLC wold and am quickly learning that locating parts and info is a little more difficult than finding things for a 90 model ford or chevy. Anyway....
I recently acquired a 90 fj80 with a known engine issue. No compression on 1 and 2 so off the head came. The HG was blown between 1 and 2 but other than that it looks ok. The 80 is not at all trashed but it is well used and am trying to decide the best route to go to remedy this problem. It is set up with an OME 2.5" lift, front winch and aussie locker in the rear.
So far this is the only TLC I have ever driven and I have no idea what a properly running 3fe is capable of. I dont want to sink a ton of money into a complete rebuild only to be dissatisfied and end up swapping in an LS (have an Lq4 on a stand now) in a year or 2. However I am very much the type to do things right and do them once.
The options I have come up with so far are:
1. Clean up the head and block the best I can and put it back together with felpro gaskets, but order the OEM set to have for a future date IF I want to do a complete rebuild in the future. I will also install a new water pump and thermostat and maybe reseal the timing cover and install a front main. (if thats possible, havent found out yet what a front gasket R and R entails). I will also most likely send the injectors off to be tested/rebuilt. And I pretty much desmogged it to get the head off. Cats already ran away before I got it. This would allow me to see if I like the 3fe without shelling out a bunch of money up front and decide if I want to gather parts to rebuild it correctly or start gathering parts for an engine swap.
2. Go ahead and pull the engine. Have it and the head checked out/cleaned up and order what I can while I see what bearings and rings I will end up needing and do a complete rebuild.
3. Dont bother doing anything to the 3fe and start gathering parts for either an LS swap or 4bt. I do have an LS sitting here (need to open it up to check condition/reseal) and may have 4bt I can get from a backhoe that I would for sure rebuild and turn up (I deal with diesels on pretty much a daily basis, I'm much more comfortable with them, cummins especially)
I'm sure I forgot some details but will quite typing now as seem to be getting long winded. I have read and read for days but I could really use some advice sooner than later so I can get this ball rolling as soon as possible.
Any info, opinions or advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.