Build Reviving "the wife's" 80

[69LC]

So I have it all back together and ow it won't start.

The ignition clicks when I turn the key, but the starter doesn't crank.

What could I have pulled or bumped off? I've checked everything obvious.

 

[silverhorse]

there is a ground that mounts to the engine install/ removal bracket... other than that batt. terminals or neutral safety

 

[69LC]

Yeah, it was the big ground.

I JUST DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK!!!

 

[69LC]

So the steering is a ton tighter since I removed the rubber coupler. The brakes felt like they need to be reburnished, and it needs rear shocks.

 

[69LC]

So how should we be driving this thing during break in?

 

[silverhorse]

like it's stolen! just change the original oil after break in... I let mine run for maybe 30 minutes at higher revs, then changed it...after I rebuilt mine...

 

[dogfishlake]

I don't know for sure on the 1fz-fe, but on most everything else ive seen you should go a bit easy for a while and vary the RPM's when you can to aid proper ring seating. Really that's going to happen just driving around so no biggie. Like @silverhorse said, oil change after some break in miles.

 

[69LC]

I was finally able to retack the right top tube back onto the bumper today and threw on a temp brace until I can grab some more sheet steel to finish the faces and top.

 

[69LC]

So my better half wants the AC to work. It never has since we've owned the truck. I'll have a local mechanic friend do the work. It's a total system overhaul.

In the meantime I fabbed up most of the tricky rear exhaust. It was much nicer to have the truck at the shop instead of marking at home, tacking it at work, fitting back at home-long process.

 

[69LC]

Just adding that section quieted the truck down a ton!

 

[dogfishlake]

Very nice. I just modded my exhaust this morning. Your work looks a lot nicer than mine!

 

[69LC]

Thanks. It's been a lot of work, but I've learned a ton and to finally be able to use the fruits of my labor is a huge blessing.

 

[69LC]

Our 84 Mercedes was totaled yesterday on my way home from work. We still have two vehicles for mama and the boy to get to work and school while I go to SoCal tomorrow.

 

[69LC]

Just reread this thread. I still can't believe that I pulled it off. The truck has run well. I love the Hankooks in the snow. I'm on my third batch of oil and have to do a bit of rework on the exhaust. It seems that the "temp" hangar behind the muffler has sagged and something is resting on the rear frame crossmember.

With too many work trips, AF trips and surgeries I haven't finished the bumper yet. Now that winter has set in I probably won't finish the bumper until spring.

I also have been putting off replacing a bad replacement PS pump too due to time conflicts.

And as I write I'm in Miami not getting things done at home.

 

[69LC]

I've also replaced the original starter too. The old one was intermittent requiring me to smack it while someone turned the key. It kept me from taking the truck to one of the fj40 baton passing kickoffs that started in Marshall, MI a couple of months ago.

 

[69LC]

Recent update to our 80 saga:

A few weeks ago my son told me the truck was running rough to and from work. I drove it a bit to try to diagnose and then left for a week working in SoCal and then a week in FL for vacation. Just prior to the trips I threw on a cap and rotor.

I started driving the truck again this week and now I have about 3-4 cylinders that will miss at low rpms. I pulled the plugs yesterday to find the back three dirty and stinking of gas. I limped it home, and as I pulled in my driveway it tried to quit. I was able to two-pedal it to the garage where it died.

While looking at the plugs I noticed that i hadn't tightened the dizzy timing well and it had moved. After I calmed down a bit and started looking again I played with the timing, back and forth. It didn't seem to make a huge difference, but I was able to find what sounded like a more smooth idle. I could rev it better than before, but it still stumbles and misses badly at idle.

I'm going to try OEM plugs and wires as soon as they come in. If anyone has any suggestions based on my descriptions of symptoms, please chime in. Prior to all of this the truck was running quite well.

 

[69LC]

It's been awhile. The truck is still sitting in the garage without me having real time to give it some love.

I need to use my snow plow guy to help me pull it out into the yard so my wife can use the garage for her Camry, so I pulled a donor drivers door handle from a free parts truck tonight and swapped it in.

I'd like to have the machine shop make good on their engine work and my maintenance so this beast can work again. But what I really want is my wife's patience and forgiveness to put in a 5.3. That's what I wanted in the beginning of this dead 1fze years ago.

 

[baldilocks]

Good luck with all of that cruiser brother.

 

[69LC]

So the 80 revival is back on. Will this 4.6 1fze 2.0 be for good this time?

I just pushed one dead 72 fj40 out of the back of the barn to push my 69 back to push the 80 far enough back to sneak the engine hoist out in front.

The whole drivetrain is coming back out so I can send the engine back to the shop. I have to pay for consumables, but the owner said he would make it right. He’s pretty certain I have a bunch of broken rings.

But at least the middle aisle of the barn is swept clean again... my back doesn’t like me pushing around heavy trucks by myself.

 

[69LC]

I made some good progress last night after work. The weather is just about perfect for wrenching.

My goal is to have the engine out by Labor Day.