Question About the Procedure for Replacing the 2F Valve Seals

[1979 FJ40ish]

I have never done anything like this before, but that has never prevented me from diving right in and screwing something up, usually 2 or 3 times before getting it right.

I am getting ready to change the valve seals and springs on my 1979 2F engine. The engine is installed in the FJ, but the manifolds are off.

Everything I've been able to read and watch on YouTube seems to indicate that I should bring piston 1 to TDC on the compression stroke, change the seals, then turn the engine over to bring piston 2 to TDC on the compression stroke, change the seals, then repeat for pistons 3 – 6.

From what I have learned, both pistons 1 and 6 are TDC at the same time. One on the compression stroke and the other on the exhaust stroke. The same for pistons, 5 and 2, and 3 and 4.

I plan to use rope stuffed in the spark plug hole to keep the valves from dropping into the engine.

I have one of the rear wheels jacked up, and I’m turning it to turn the engine over. Since I’m doing this work by myself, it's hard to be at both ends of the cruiser at the same time.

Can I safely replace each set of seals, 1 & 6, 5 & 2, and 3 &4 at the same time, and only turn the engine 3 times to find TDC and not 6?

Thanks

 

[brian]

Take all the plugs out, put it in a gear and just bump it backwards while watching the window.

 

[Pighead]

With all the plugs out, sometimes you can turn the engine by pulling or pushing on a fanbelt...

 

[charliemeyer007]

IMHO you are only doing 6 jugs. Follow the firing order. Remove all the plugs. With piston at the bottom feed in rope - rotate crank to bring piston up - loosen rockers, slide over out of way, tie - change the parts - back piston down some, remove the rope. Move to next in firing order.

You may need to remove the whole rocker assembly (I'm not sure). I have a metal fan blade - I just grab it and pull to rotate the engine. On flat ground you can just put it in 4th gear and push the rig by hand to rotate the engine.

Big socket/wrench on crank pully nut.

 

[Pitter Patter]

I’m also a fan of the rear tire method assuming you have someone else to spot the engine for you.

Otherwise sounds like you’ll be fine with the plan. Get’er done!