Rebuild advice - 1978 FJ40

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Joined
Feb 28, 2013
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Looking for some advice on a potential rebuild for my 1978 FJ 40. Engine has been diagnosed by two mechanics as needing a rebuild. Low compression numbers (90,77,80,80,78,90). Transmission is slipping out of gear constantly. I can do much smaller jobs, but I do not have the work area, time or the expertise to do this job.

My question is this: Is
$9,500 a good, fair price for someone to perform the following work:

1- Rebuild engine
2- Rebuild transmission
3- Rebuild transfer case
4- Rebuild front axle to include service steering knuckles, service wheel bearings, replace differential bearings and seals.
5- Replace clutch
6- All labor, fluids, shop supplies

Engine rebuild will include the following;

  • Piston Kit
  • Ring Set
  • Main, Rod, Bearings
  • Oil Pump
  • New Water Pump
  • Freeze Plugs (not brass)
  • Complete Gasket Set
Engine, transmission and transfer case will have a one year warranty.

Thanks in advance everyone.
 
You might want to check with Danny @pngunme he recently had his engine rebuilt maybe he can shed some light as to what an engine rebuild entails.
 
Depends. How mechanical are you willing to be? A lot of these things can be addressed or just not be as bad as you may think (or have been told). How many miles on this unit? how has it been treated over it's life? If you do a lot of research here on this site you can form your own opinion on what really needs rebuilt, adjusted, resealed, serviced or just replaced. If, as you say, limited time, mechanical skills or you are a well paid fellow then let others do the work. Not all of us have the ability or time to make sure these items are shot. Maybe a cylinder hone job and new rings with a valve job could get that compression back up where it's good. Is it knocking? smoking? I just don't trust most mechanics or garages. Did these quotes come from somebody who has "intimate knowledge" of the vintage Land Cruiser? Does it just need to be timed properly or the carb rebuilt? That is a lot of dough with a lot of unknowns. But to reiterate, if you just don't have the facilities, garage space, time or skills to get down and dirty, I understand. Not all of us have that combo...or bone-headedness to power through these obstacles. If you have time, do the research to make sure you are paying for the proper repairs, and since you have initiated the conversation on this forum, that is a very good start.
 
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'Recently', Mike?... you're getting old... it was 2015... ;)

IIRC:
  • $2450 for the machinist to rebuild the engine including: .020-over domed pistons, rings, new cam, turn crank 1010, mill deck EDIT: New gasket kit... Be sure you have threaded plugs installed for the two oil galley plugs.
  • $900 for mechanic to pull engine, strip to long for the rbuild, deliver to machinist, pickup from machinist, build long block back to engine, reinstall engine. Deliver FJ40 to muffler shop and pick it up when they are finished.
  • IIRC about $400 for mechanic: new clutch and some other niceties that escape my memory right now.
  • IIRC about $650 to muffler shop, for new exhaust
Total about $4400

All documented here:

I can tell you, I requested estimates, from a number of 'cruiser experts' and they came in, as low as $5,000 and as high as $10,000... just for the engine rebuild (including puling and reinstalling the engine).

I did not have the tranny or tcase rebuilt and can't comment on pricing.

HTH
 
depending on the over all condition of the truck, you might consider dropping a $500 take out 2f into it and just forgetting the engine overhaul.
same thing with the tranny and tcase, although an overhaul of those two is much less labor and materials.
 
Is the entire truck worth saving, or is it a massive rust bucket? Also, used 4 speeds (with xfer) are not too hard to find. I would have a shop rebuild the engine (perhaps), but I would source a good used 4 speed/xfer combo and save a few thousand dollars.

As Captn Conch said, you don't just any old schmoe working on this truck. 35 years ago, most mechanics would have no trouble understanding a 2F, but these days, I would not assume this. If you don't 'drive the bus' for some of this, you may be very disappointed in what you get.
 
Two years ago I had most of this same work done minus the transfer case and transmission on my 1970. I did have add a header and DUI plus several additional small things reworked as well and my total bill was $7500. I felt like I got a fair deal and it was done by a very good land cruiser mechanic. I'm not sure of what the cost to rebuild the transmission/ transfer case should be but $2500 sounds a bit high to me but Someone else might no better.
 
I just finished doing all of what you are planning to do during my complete frame off restoration.

Engine; I brought my long block to a mechanic, he tore it down and took it to the machine shop and put it back together. I think I had about $2000 in it. I did all the labor. What about things like oil pump, water pump, thermostat, hoses, radiator, exhaust, carb, dizzy etc? What kind of shape is all the stuff that makes the engine run in?

Front Knuckle rebuild: I talked a friend, who had done several rebuilds, in to come and help me. A few beers and a lot of fun. Except, he has a Jeep, and is expecting some return labor! Cost was parts and beer. Not very expensive or hard but it is a messy job. Tons of good threads on MUD.

Tranny/TC: I rebuilt them myself. I will not do that again. At least not the tranny. TC isn't too bad. I did everything, all bearings, synchros, seals, including replacing the tranny output shaft (very worn splines) and a TC shaft that I hacked up trying to get the completely rusted roller bearing out. I think the tranny/TC rebuild is where the you need to know what is going to be done. If they are replacing seals and giving it back, then that is not a ton of money. If they are completely taking it apart and replacing all the bearings, etc then that is going to take time and money. It also takes some special pullers to tear it down. Like i said, I will not do another one, and I would only trust a transmission specialist to do it right. Buying a good used one, and putting in new seals/gaskets may be the most cost effective route on the tranny.

Clutch: easy to do if you are doing everything else. Get the flywheel turned. New slave cylinder and rubber line?

To cap, I would be concerned about the quality of the bearings, seals, etc that will be used and the depth of the rebuild. Then, you can decide if 9.5K is worth it. If you are having someone else do the work. The term "rebuilt" is very subjective in the auto world. I urge you to read all the DIY threads, so you have a complete understanding of the job you are asking someone to do. Remember the rig is old, so plan on most everything needing replacing. Think about how you want it to look like when finished. If you are taking the entire driveline out. Should you bite the bullet and do some other stuff while you have access? Just trying to give you some things to consider.

I wanted my rig restored as best I could do. Honestly, I held my nose when it came to writing checks and I had to keep reminding myself of the goal I set. The money is spent, my rig is nice, and I am happy. Yes, I spent way too much, and I will never add up that box of receipts!
 
Thanks again everyone for the sound advice. I'm going to do more research and then make some decisions. Like all of you, I love my Cruiser. Body has some rust but nothing like some I have seen. I'll probably hold my nose and move forward after my additional research. Please reply with additional info. Thanks again.
 
I am going through a 2F rebuild right now on a 79, it is on the expensive side I would say, $3500 for all machine work, new valves, engine kit (high quality Japanese, but not OEM) some thread and oil pan repair, balancing, the works. These guys know 2Fs and they did a good job on my 1FZFE, so I was willing to pay a little more. I delivered disassembled to the machine shop, will have to reassemble the block, head and all accessories and put everything back in. I also added a new 3FE cam which was the more expensive way to deal with a cam issue. But any option on these is not cheap.

The tranny tcase and axles I also quoted here locally with one of the best, and he came up with about $4-5k to do them all, labor only. I think I will end up taking on these myself unless I just run out of time.

I would say so long as they work you are having done is by someone who knows 40s and 2Fs, it is unfortunately a decent price. But if you don't feel like you are getting top notch, I would do some of it yourself or consider sending things off to a 40 specialist. If that price includes parts, I would want to make sure what they are getting is high quality OEM or aftermarket.

Are you going to go for a carb or dizzy rebuild?
 
Not sure where you're located, but I will have a nice running 78 2F that is currently in my 40 that I'll need to get rid of. Just sayin. I'm in the Denver area in Colorado.
 

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