Toyota Land Cruiser FJ80 3FE Rebuild Progress Report – 11.04.2008
It’s been a couple weeks since I posted an update on the 3FE engine rebuild in my FJ80 Toyota Land Cruiser. Here is the latest on my 80-series 3FE project.
In the last installment, I just finished making the initial adjustment of my valves. Since then, I gave the mighty 3FE a coat of paint, bolted the valve cover on, installed the exhaust manifold, intake manifold and the exhaust heat shields.
Next on my list to was to rebuild or purchase a new radiator. The original Toyota radiator was leaking (probably why I had to top off the coolant level every so often) and was not rebuildable. Checking with the Toyota dealer, the new ones available from the dealer are made of plastic and can’t be rebuilt. Having received a discounted price quote from Sierra Toyota, and on recommendation from several people, I went to Performance Radiator in Tacoma to have the radiator looked at and get a quote. They immediately said it was not rebuildable. The radiator was available from Performance, and if ordered, it would be shipped and delivered in 3 days (not that I needed it that fast).
On the way to Performance on South Tacoma Way, I noticed another radiator shop called Northwest Radiator Works right next to Java Jive. On the way back from Performance, I stopped in Northwest Radiator for a quote. Cliff at Northwest Radiator took a look at my radiator and immediately identified it as Land Cruiser radiator. Obviously he knows his applications. For only $8.00 more than the quote from Performance Radiator, I purchased a new all metal, rebuildable radiator from Northwest Radiator. It was available for pickup that afternoon. Cliff even installed all the brackets off my old radiator and recycled the old one. I’m glad I supported an independent radiator shop over a large corporate radiator chain.
While in Tacoma for my search for a raditor, I stopped by Titus-Will Toyota to order a idler pully that accidently got dunked in the solvent tank while cleaning the bracket. Lesson to be learned, don’t take short cuts. By the way, if you’re a member of a automotive related club, it pays to ask for a discount.
Since I’m in the process of rebuilding, I took the opportunity to have my fuel injectors cleaned. I called several injector specialists in the area for pricing information and most shops came in the mid-thirty dollar range. I heard good things various automotive forums about WitchHunter Performance out of Woodinville, Washington, so looked them up on the net and couldn’t believe their prices. I even called them to see if they charged for extras like o-rings, etc. Everything (cleaning, testing, parts) is included for your $18.00 except shipping. I mailed them via priority mail on Monday and received the set of fuel injectors back by Thursday. What a great service.
After I received the freshly cleaned injectors, I cleaned up and installed the fuel rail, fuel injectors, some smog stuff and the engine mounted fuel lines.
Next I turned my attention to the EFI intake. I removed all the bolt-on items and soaked the intake in the solvent tank overnight. The runners were pretty dirty and I could not reach very deep with the brushes I had. With a trip to a local home improvement store, I purchased a long handled, stiff bristle brush for cleaning out dryer vents that worked great for cleaning out the runners.
My throttle body was also very dirty. I spent some time cleaning the bore and throttle plate with a can of throttle body cleaner. Finally I got all the gunk out. This engine should purr after all this cleaning.
After the throttle body, I then cleaned up all the remaining bolt-on items to the EFI intake.
My EFI intake is now sitting on my work bench ready for the throttle body and other components to be bolted back on. I need to order a new gasket for my idle Control Valve because there wasn’t one in my engine rebuild gasket set. I’ll tie that in with an order for a few specialty bent factory hoses that I still need.
It’s getting closer to being done. My goal is to have the Land Cruiser before the end of November because my tabs expire and I have to get the FJ80 emission tested before then.
To be continued.
