Slow Motion LS Swap - (aka Heater/Cooling System Issue) (1 Viewer)

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Posted this in the 80 section - thought I'd repost here and see if anybody had ideas.

93 FZJ80, 260K on the clock. I've recently had intermittent issues with the heaters - no heat from the front, very little from the rear. Blowers are fine. Temp gauge reads normal. Eventually it will start working again for no apparent reason. Maybe after a bit on the same drive, maybe after being shut off for awhile.

I've also noticed that if I drive it hard while the heaters aren't working, the temp gauge will climb rapidly until I back off and idle. Temp gauge is stock. If the heater is working, this doesn't happen. This seems like a bad thermostat maybe? But from other reading, if a thermostat fails, it stays failed, usually open. Not likely to cause an intermittent problem.

Other info - radiator is full, though i had to add about half a gallon last week. Top of the core was visible. Drove it skiing this weekend - 300 miles on highway with no problems, no coolant loss. No leaks when parked. But now no heater going to work 2 days in a row.

About 3 months ago the hardline to the rear heater failed. Replaced with OEM, refilled and burped the system.

Radiator is about 5 years old. Good quality 3 core brass, but not OEM. I am running a modified fan clutch.

Had trouble overheating last August in UT pulling hills in 100 deg weather, heavily loaded.

It's also developed a rough idle recently. Going to R&R distributor cap, wires plugs this weekend. Will also check with the block test kit. Oil & oil cap looks fine. Head gasket is original AFAIK - I've had it since 104K.

Any other ideas/suggestions?
 
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Is the heater valve in the engine bay operating consistently and fully?
 
Is the heater valve in the engine bay operating consistently and fully?

I'll verify visually, but I believe so. When the heat comes on, it varies consistently and proportionally with the slider position. And the rear heater doesn't work off of that valve at all.

On the way home from work tonight I had no heat for the first 5-6 miles, and had to stop twice on Powers to let it cool down. Then heat started coming out of the vents, and no more problems the rest of the 15 miles home. Even if I turned the heaters off.

Rough idle is getting worse. I'm going to park it for the rest of the week until I can dig in. I do have a new thermostat, so that'll be one thing to try.
 
IMG_20190403_195751.jpg

:frown::frown::frown:
 
Uh oh...sorry man....

If I had to guess.. number 6?
 
Can't tell until I pull the plugs, but that's a safe bet.
 
So I'm considering options - where would you go to have a head gasket done locally?
 
Robbie up in Denver if he is still doing them. Powderpig on RS.
 
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So I'm considering options - where would you go to have a head gasket done locally?

I don't know of anyone locally. Might want to talk with Justin over at RedLine too. All the good leads I know of are up in Denver.
 
How important do you guys think it is to get a specialist vs a good local shop?
vs doing it yourself?
Watched some of this video last night



It's a big job.
 
I know there is a MUD DVD for sale from someone. If you wanted to do it yourself, between the DVD and all the threads I am sure you could handle it. Don't recall how long it was taking people to complete it. Personally, I wouldn't take it to a shop w/o specific experience.

I think your biggest challenge will be is knowing when to stop with "while I'm in here..."
 
Yea, I'm sure I can do it. Question is if I want to ... or possibly go a different direction.
 
complete engine rebuild, engine swap - gas/diesel, new vehicle...?
 
complete engine rebuild, engine swap - gas/diesel, new vehicle...?

All of that's on the table except the complete rebuild. I'm not going to put that much work into it and still come out the other side with 1FZ range & performance.
 
LS Power!!

Maybe

Talked to Pacific Fabrication earlier today to get the lay of the land. I think they've talked me out of a Gen IV/6L80 due to complications with integrating/programming the trans and reliability with the VVT & AFM systems. So maybe a Gen III/4L80.

But that's just research - I'm in way over my head with this stuff. Haven't decided anything yet.
 
Isuzu diesel, torque, range, and simplicity so zombie apocalypse proof.

Wait, I think some bonehead here had that idea once....lol
 
Isuzu diesel, torque, range, and simplicity so zombie apocalypse proof.

Wait, I think some bonehead here had that idea once....lol

Intriguing ... know where I could find a good low mileage one for a fair price? With an intact valve train?
 

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