Threw a rod; convert or re-build?

[joelisac]

I was driving up Eisenhower tunnel last night and starting looseing power and the engine started knocking. It got progressivly worse so i pulled it over and had it towed. i didn't see any smoke and it still starts but boy is it loud. So I assume i've got major trouble.
it's a 1997 FJ80 with 130K. Should i just re-build or take this time to convert to a V8. I've also heard of turbo charging. I would like to get more power since i do a lot of mountain driving. What's the best course and how much money am i going to spend?

Thanks.

 

[alaskacruiser]

Sounds like you're jumping the gun on this. Diagnose the problem and then decide what to do. In most cases, an engine rebuild is your best choice.

 

[alkaline747trio]

Rebuild, and get a blower (supercharger), should be enough extra to get you up those mountain slopes. Turbo is a whole lot of work and time, but the pay off is great (if done right). In your position, I would assume that money is an issue (unless your Bill Gates, then throw this out of the water) so the supercharger along with the rebuild wouldn't put an extreme dent in your wallet like a rebuild + turbo would.

 

[turbocruiser]

Sounds like you're jumping the gun on this. Diagnose the problem and then decide what to do. In most cases, an engine rebuild is your best choice.

I agree; although it does not sound super good, you won't know for sure what to do til you know for sure what's wrong. Still, if the worst is the case, then I vote for rebuild with turbo! You'll get more out of it than any V8 swap is gonna give ya when you consider power, reliability, etc. Depending on who's doing the labor for a swap (you or a shop) yer prolly gonna spend about same amount between V8 swap and rebuild w/FI of some sort after you consider all the electronic things, all the mating things, etc. Of course I'm partial to turbos so factor that into the answer! HTH

 

[joelisac]

Sounds reasonable. Not sure if you're in Colorado or not, but can anyone make a recommendation on who would do a re-build with turbo?

 

[RavenTai]

If you are in Colorado contact Christo Slee of Slee offroad or Robbie ( user name Powderpig here ) I heard Robbie has taken on another task so may not be availabe, contact him to be sure

either way you will be in good hands.

 

[cruiserdan]

A complete rebuild and adding a turbo will easily exceed the current value of a complete, intact, 80.

 

[turbocruiser]

A complete rebuild and adding a turbo will easily exceed the current value of a complete, intact, 80.

So what?!?

 

[cruiserdan]

Just mentioning how a 10,000 dollar truck becomes a 20,000 dollar truck very quickly...



Actually in this case it's more like a 5,000 dollar truck because that's about all it's worth with a shot motor.

 

[Panzer]

What is the current cost of each option now days?

Rebuild______________

Swap to SBC ____________

And then the other option, adding boost to a rebuilt 1FZ-FE
S/C ______________

Turbo ______________

**I am at 215,000 now so I am trying to preplan. **

 

[cruiserdan]

Depends on who is doing the work. Do you want turn-key or are you going to supply sweat equity?

Parts and machine work for a rebuild on a 1FZ engine that was running when you started would be 2-3 thousand bucks. If the engine is broken, costs will vary depending on the required hard parts. Add 3 thousand or so for labor if you are paying someone to do it. A blower kit will set you back another 3 grand (plus labor). I believe the turbo is about 5 grand (plus labor).
Ask Kirk about the cost of the V8, he is in the middle of one right now.

 

[landtank]

Drop the oil pan, roll in some new bearings and carry on. Anything more than that and the truck is not worth it.

 

[Josh83]

I disagree that a 97 with 130K on it isn't worth a rebuild. I would rebuild.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I'd rebuild. New bottom bearings and button 'er up as mentioned by Rick. Of course we have scant/zero info on what took place, but that's normal around here..................

DougM

 

[TiredIronGRB]

If it's a nice truck rebuild it.

 

[Panzer]

Thanks Dan. That lines up with what I was guess-timating at about 5K to rebuild with partial sweat equity.

 

[gnx7]

car-parts.com and find a used running engine

 

[cruiserdan]

car-parts.com and find a used running engine

.....That should have the head gasket replaced before it is transplanted into the new frame.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

It doesn't sound like he "threw" the rod yet. I threw a rod in a minivan I had and the engine stopped real fast and didn't start back up. I vote for dropping the pan and seeing what's wrong (if that can be done on an 80).

 

[Gumby]

I think everyone with more than 130,000 miles oughtta replace the engine as a PM.

and buy the long blocks from c-dan