(soon to be) new fourty, advice needed. (1 Viewer)

[FJ62sasquatch]

I have been reading around the 40 section for a couple of weeks now, and here is my first post I drive a 1988 Fj62 at the moment, but I hope to be buying a 1980 FJ40 here pretty soon... anywho, the problem is that the 40 doesn't run... I'm not really sure why though and neither is the owner... he had to the head re-done by a shop because of a bent valve, but now (after the shop did the head) he doesn't have compression on 2 cylinders.... like 0 zilch nada!! nothing!!! not low compression zero!!!

I am thinking it is probably a gasket issue or at worst case, valve springs or valve stems, maybe even a combination of both with bad valve seats...

but i digress, I won't pretend like I know all that much about engines, because I don't! All of my mechanical know how is with a 3FE, and even that is just barely enough to get me by! I'm hell bent on getting this 40 and having her run by the end of summer so I can get some topless time but what do you guys think about the engine? How much work do the cruiser gods foresee in my future?

I'm going to do a complete engine gasket set, and all so maybe I'll stop leaks while I am working on the engine too! I want to think I will be able to do this on my own, I have a place I can pull the engine and work on it a bit, I just wonder if I am better off just to spend the big $$$ and get someone to do it for me? I want to learn, and be as involved as possible, but I don't want to make a costly mistake you know? Let me know what you think!

(and thanks for stickying the info in the FAQ for the buying first fourty and all that jazz, I have literally spent hours and hours and hours reading all the info I can get my hands on about these behemoths!!)

 

[FJsnoozer]

I'm with you on your guestimations. try out the gaskets, after that, decide whether you just want to find a used motor to swap in versus chasing down issues on those reman parts performed by a questionable builder.

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

I found a 2f motor out of Mississippi that a guy was looking to get rid of, would it be worth the couple of $100 to get a new engine head, or just bite the big $$ bullet and get the entire engine?

 

[cjgoode]

I do not think you will get lucky and it be a simple gasket issue. I would think a gasket problem would still how a little more then 100% 0 compression. My get is a valve, pushrod or possibly valve train maybe not put together properly or way way way out of adjustment. That is assuming the rings are OK. While turning the engine over with the valve cover off watch all the rocker arms and see if they are all moving. Many things you can check before replacing the gasket as well as while replacing it.

Sine you both know the engine is not running I assume the price reflects the fact of the current engine problems. Worse case you find a used 2F to throw in there, best case you find a simple solution to the current engine problem.

If you get it, take and post some real good pictures of valve train on top of the head and post here. The experts likely will be able to know if it looks to be correct or not, and also help further diagnose the issues. Might was well get some advice on stuff you can check when you pull the head off before putting it back on with new gaskets.

 

[cjgoode]

I found a 2f motor out of Mississippi that a guy was looking to get rid of, would it be worth the couple of $100 to get a new engine head, or just bite the big $$ bullet and get the entire engine?

I would go with the hole engine if the price is OK, and you are pretty sure it runs. Your problem could in the head, block, cam shaft, gasket etc etc. A new head might not fix it, or it might.

 

[Krusty]

No compression on two cyl? Pull the valve cover off the motor and check to see if all the rockers and valves open and close when you turn it over. If you pull out all the spark plugs, there will be little resistance in the motor and it will turn over easily. While someone runs the starter, put a finger over each of the spark plug holes and you should feel air blasting in and out of each one. If the rockers are all moving, that is a good indication that the cam, timing chain, lifters and pushrods are all operating OK. The air blasting out of the plug holes will indicate that the pistons are intact and the valves are sealing.

Hope this helps.

Krusty

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

He seems to think that there is an obstruction of some sort keeping the valves from closing... When I go down to see it, I will see if we can take a look at it without the valve cover, maybe perform a wet compression test and see what happens... *Fingers Crossed* I really want to start a land cruiser collection

 

[edwjmcgrath]

Seems most likely head gasket. Have you checked the basic fact that the valves are actually moving when the engine is cranked?

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

I do not own this vehicle *yet* but I will go and check it out here to make sure it's not just rusted all out... But anyway... What "tests" would you guys run while you had access to the vehicle prior to buying... With the owners consent of course

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

If it doesn't run, the price should reflect that. At that point, assume engine is bad and needs to be replaced.

i'd want minimum rust and complete. Everything else is fairly easy to work on.

If you have photo's upload them and post them up and get members opinions on the vehicle and asking price.

 

[justbecause]

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

Those are just some pics to hold you guys till I can get to work and get a real thread bump together

Price???... What do you guys think? It doesn't run obviously..... What would you expect to spend on this rig?

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

I'll see If I can't talk with the owner and get him to send me some pics of the rockers... Might go do a wet test if he'd let me... This guy is a little unreasonable sometimes though lol

 

[justbecause]

Only one I have on me. Why don't you link to the threads I made detailing my journey from running cruiser to yard ornament.

posted with my thumbs.

 

[justbecause]

by the way the dog and the "live free or die" license plate arent included

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

Edit!

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

Here are the forums chronicling The rig from beloved cruiser to alabama yard ornament... Btw zach can I keep the Alabama vanity plate you got on there

https://forum.ih8mud.com/al-dixieland-cruisers/467475-help-needed-moved-march-meeting-thread.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/372890-before-after.html

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

I think this worth every bit of the $2500 we have agreed on I am a Highschool student who has worked his ass off to come up with $1000 I needed in a couple of weeks!! I even gave blood for money!!! Haha I'm itching to see it in person, now going up Sunday to check it out and make sure this guy isn't trying to hide some crazy body rot from me haha he seems nice enough but you never know these days!!

 

[FJ62sasquatch]

I found a guy with a 2F head for $300 it has everything to go with it and was rebuilt for an fj40 less than 1000 miles ago, sadly he sold his 40 though... Bunt good for me maybe... Should I see if I can pick it up for $250 it's local kinda... I mean after I get my 40 that is would it be just as expensive to buy this motor than to rebuild that one I have... Or will have I guess?? It seems as Though I could slowly rebuildn the old head while the new one runs and then if I ever need another one I'll have one you know?

 

[edwjmcgrath]

No disrespect, but you haven't yet bought a truck that doesn't run, with a head that may or may not work, rebuilt by someone you don't know and you want to buy another head, rebuilt by someone else you don't know and you don't even know whether you have bought a truck or whether the head is bad? Are you a high school student?
Sorry, I'm an Old Geezer who has made his share of bad decisions. If you want to take a risk and buy the truck, do it. Then figure out what is wrong with it. Then, if you determine that it's the head, and you want to buy another one that may or may not work, buy it. But at least separate your decisions. IMHO. By the way, I love the fact that this is money that you have earned.