read too many post

[brownbro]

hi there guys., new to this but not that new ., i've been reading post here for a long while... i've had my 1980 fj40 in the garage for the last 4 yrs .....re-doing everything body mainly., far from perfect but for hunting and fishing....!!!!!!....on a limited budget.. i'm very proud of the result.....the body was in despair but the mechanic was good.......anyway i thought so when i decided to make that project my baby. This morning finally my project is done but while going for registration and inspection i notice white smoke after a good 5 min idling in my garage!!!! wtf...i'm gonna cry ....compression not great but 120 on all cylinder......goes up to 135-150 on a wet test......vacuum steady at 20.......no drop on coolant level.......new temp sending unit one mark below hot.......no buble in coolant...have i just read too many post on crack head and blown gasket or should i worried..........by the way i went and bought a engine combustion leak detection kit that after 5 min. wouldn't show any changes in color.......i had 2 beers.......but i thought of all u guys that have been without knowing given me so many advices..........(.i'm trying but put photos of my rig.)...i had that beast for 14 yrs but spent the last 4 in my garage for lack of funds or just tired of all the works in front of me.......so this morning joy of finally., its done vs head gasket.....or cracked head .....your thoughts would be very welcome....Thanks Serge

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Start with checking the torque on the head bolts. Then do a valve adjustment. See if it changes any.

 

[igotta40]

I like those tires, what are they?

 

[igotta40]

That’s a beautiful truck, great color and finish!

 

[landcruiserrich]

pull all the spark plugs out and look at them. if one or more of them look really clean compared to the others then you probably have a leaking head gasket

 

[John McVicker]

Your truck looks great. You’ve done some good work.

Now to your issue...if all it is, is a blown head gasket, that’s not really that big of a deal. It’s something you can do in a couple of days and it’s not ‘that’ expensive. If that’s all it is...new HG and your done.

Now to your compression numbers, 120 is not great but not bad...passable. But when they go up to 150 with a wet test, this indicates bad rings. If so, it’s up to you if you want to address that. But for mostly hunting & fishing, many would just run it.

 

[thebigredrocker]

So you only ran it for 5 minutes? I see you still have winter weather in Moncton, NB. Does the white smoke evaporate or linger like actual smoke? I would want take it for a drive and flog the engine since it's been sitting for so long

 

[65swb45]

So you only ran it for 5 minutes? I see you still have winter weather in Moncton, NB. Does the white smoke evaporate or linger like actual smoke? I would want take it for a drive and flog the engine since it's been sitting for so long

Agreed. Drive it.

 

[brownbro]

thanks guys., yes i thought of the weather afterwards.....65 F in garage and 0 F outside.....but will recheck everything and readjust valves clearance., check the head bolts torque just in case....and yes i will drive it.....can't wait. the tire on my fj are just retreads 140$ a piece....some of them sometimes are not that easy to balance but these ones were good.but then again at 50 mph max i don't feel anything....thanks again for your input guys