Ardent's Engine Rebuild

[Ardent]

So I wrote this up for the Land Cruiser forum I'm on, but I figured I would share it here too. It references some of the members there, so sorry for any confusion... Still might be fun to look and the pics... :)

Well, three weeks after I completed the 3-link (http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/560329-ardentyotas-3-link.html) on my truck, the HG bit the dust. I discovered oil in the coolant and began the diagnosis (http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/562144-headgasket-oil-cooler.html). I was hoping it was just the oil cooler, but it was not... No signs of failure and the cooler appeared in good shape. Next I had the radiator pressure tested to see if failure occurred in the internal transmission cooler. No dice, the radiator was fine.

So I went ahead and called up my friend Onur (If he wasn't my friend before, he is now... $$:D) and got started tearing things apart.
[/URL]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yr85Y5pGr_g/T30ZKgqpS_I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/GpeplxL0gSI/s800/IMG_1207.JPG (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Yr85Y5pGr_g/T30ZKgqpS_I/AAAAAAAAA9Q/GpeplxL0gSI/s800/IMG_1207.JPG)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dPyy1wV7JwU/T1JI21Dn3pI/AAAAAAAAA7I/dyQ0KVSKdYo/s800/IMG_1172.jpg (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dPyy1wV7JwU/T1JI21Dn3pI/AAAAAAAAA7I/dyQ0KVSKdYo/s800/IMG_1172.jpg)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dKH5B2lNJkU/T1JI8_o3AgI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/wYR-x_bAihU/s800/IMG_1184.JPG (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dKH5B2lNJkU/T1JI8_o3AgI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/wYR-x_bAihU/s800/IMG_1184.JPG)

I caught it in the early stages on cyl 6 failure. I wasn't loosing coolant, but the HG was definitely on it's way out.

So the front of the engine was caked in oil and dirt from a leaky oil pump cover and I decided to replace that while I was at it. So then came the dreaded removal of the crank bolt. I tied nylon rope around the crank pulley so that it tightened on itself and attached to both frame rails. It took a while, some bad words:censor: and about 6 feet of cheater bar over my 1/2" breaker bar to break it loose. Yeah, yeah- shoulda used the starter before the head was removed...:bang:

I took the head to a local machine shop who cleaned it up and completed a valve job and milled it .008". He also tipped the valves to assist with the clearances. He wanted a minimum of $300 to check and adjust the valves, so I decided to try it. Glad I did as only one valve was .001 out of spec.
Here were the shim measurements. Looks like I forgot to take a pic of the clearance measurements.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s3uNrux4zxM/T30ZtY79STI/AAAAAAAABCA/d5lP-5Ux7Y0/s800/IMG_1260.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s3uNrux4zxM/T30ZtY79STI/AAAAAAAABCA/d5lP-5Ux7Y0/s800/IMG_1260.JPG)

Well, with the head at the shop I decided to start cleaning up the engine bay and cylinder block. the block was nasty with the old gasket material and pitting. The upper oil pan was also leaking, and finally the timing chain slipper and damper were noticeably worn.

It was decision time. I decided to pull the engine in order to complete a full rebuild. Since the head was off, I had to weld up a bracket to bolt onto the block in order to remove it from the engine bay.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bb2HNEPcIfg/T30ZM3v-49I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/q7SsBYCVQmk/s800/IMG_1216.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bb2HNEPcIfg/T30ZM3v-49I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/q7SsBYCVQmk/s800/IMG_1216.JPG)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ScVLlav-aBE/T30ZN5_SHVI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4jH63VCqV_I/s800/IMG_1218.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ScVLlav-aBE/T30ZN5_SHVI/AAAAAAAAA9g/4jH63VCqV_I/s800/IMG_1218.JPG)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sya4TOrrJX8/T30ZO-2K8SI/AAAAAAAAA9w/c3m6WUEgW0Y/s800/IMG_1220.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sya4TOrrJX8/T30ZO-2K8SI/AAAAAAAAA9w/c3m6WUEgW0Y/s800/IMG_1220.JPG)
[URL="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4C1gmA9H8rQ/T30ZPcJouoI/AAAAAAAAA94/Q4VaDFSR0WY/s800/IMG_1221.JPG"]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4C1gmA9H8rQ/T30ZPcJouoI/AAAAAAAAA94/Q4VaDFSR0WY/s800/IMG_1221.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4C1gmA9H8rQ/T30ZPcJouoI/AAAAAAAAA94/Q4VaDFSR0WY/s800/IMG_1221.JPG)
:hillbilly:

[Ardent]

I didn't take a lot of pictures of the tear down as it goes pretty fast and easily. And you can find any pic you need on the forum...

Once I had the block out and on the engine stand, I began tearing it apart. Removed the oil pans and connecting rods/pistons from the block. Crosshatching could still be seen, but the cylinder walls were smooth and mirror like even after cleaning. Emailed Robbie (PowderPig) and called Onur again for some advice. Another $1000 in parts and I had shiny new pistons that are a whole 1mm bigger! New pistons and rings, factory HG.

I spec'd out the main bearings and con-rod bearings. All were in spec and will be reused.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--o-fQN4eT4c/T30ZR6jvFUI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/9_78iRQGd28/s800/IMG_1224.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--o-fQN4eT4c/T30ZR6jvFUI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/9_78iRQGd28/s800/IMG_1224.JPG)
Plastigage
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DnWllUiX3cQ/T30ZRSSz1FI/AAAAAAAAA-I/D6F1lJI-5pk/s800/IMG_1223.JPG (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DnWllUiX3cQ/T30ZRSSz1FI/AAAAAAAAA-I/D6F1lJI-5pk/s800/IMG_1223.JPG)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vepCUWkxVdM/T30ZQ81X_2I/AAAAAAAAA-A/A0gx9JizH3M/s800/IMG_1222.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vepCUWkxVdM/T30ZQ81X_2I/AAAAAAAAA-A/A0gx9JizH3M/s800/IMG_1222.JPG)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bhd4C5CTe_k/T30ZSmf8mvI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/IpbV1yzff0k/s800/IMG_1226.jpg (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bhd4C5CTe_k/T30ZSmf8mvI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/IpbV1yzff0k/s800/IMG_1226.jpg)

So the block was completely disassembled now and sent off to the machinist along with the pistons. He hot tanked the block- BUT WAIT! lol. He pulled the oil pump bushing before doing so...

The block was milled .010. This was the minimum he could do to get it smooth. He said the surface was wavy and that there was significant pitting around the cylinders. Yay! Why would that make me happy? Because the decision to pull and rebuild the whole engine was the right one! He said it was warped enough that the HG would have blown again in the future. Talking to Robbie, the .010 off the block and .008 off the head will not cause any issues even when using the Toyota HG.

I painted the block ugly gray and we were in business. (many may not know this, but ugly gray is actually very practical. Leak detection becomes much easier in addition to providing contrast in low light sensor searches... It's a fact)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FSfjPhtNPjc/T30ZT4qjs0I/AAAAAAAAA-o/t2Il58vx7ag/s800/IMG_1228.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FSfjPhtNPjc/T30ZT4qjs0I/AAAAAAAAA-o/t2Il58vx7ag/s800/IMG_1228.JPG)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tjUusDfQ8r4/T30ZUwZkWxI/AAAAAAAAA-4/mE3suoCsFSc/s800/IMG_1230.JPG (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tjUusDfQ8r4/T30ZUwZkWxI/AAAAAAAAA-4/mE3suoCsFSc/s800/IMG_1230.JPG)
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cFA-ipE0M7g/T30ZUYfv6WI/AAAAAAAAA-w/4Ev98an1VU8/s800/IMG_1229.jpg (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cFA-ipE0M7g/T30ZUYfv6WI/AAAAAAAAA-w/4Ev98an1VU8/s800/IMG_1229.jpg)
Clean block from below:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AxGVzoZCdJo/T30ZbAJZFaI/AAAAAAAAA_g/D8Ude51VRX4/s800/IMG_1238.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AxGVzoZCdJo/T30ZbAJZFaI/AAAAAAAAA_g/D8Ude51VRX4/s800/IMG_1238.JPG)
Cleaned up the oil squirters and reinstalled (Soaked in carb cleaner over night)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XTFUFSBhDe8/T30Zcngc8GI/AAAAAAAAA_o/ZSyU-dKnEV4/s800/IMG_1239.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XTFUFSBhDe8/T30Zcngc8GI/AAAAAAAAA_o/ZSyU-dKnEV4/s800/IMG_1239.JPG)
Main Bearings installed (again- reusing the old in-spec bearings)
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DMu5whz8Uo4/T30ZdJIyvOI/AAAAAAAAA_w/AnsJ7R6rpic/s800/IMG_1240.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DMu5whz8Uo4/T30ZdJIyvOI/AAAAAAAAA_w/AnsJ7R6rpic/s800/IMG_1240.JPG)

[Ardent]

Alright, so now we're assemblin'! with the upper CS bearings in place, I lathered on the assembly lube and dropped (figuratively) the crank in place. Jeez that thing is heavy!

Lower bearings were installed in the caps and lubed up. Make sure to keep the bearings in order when reusing them!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-W-zX0pJeSnQ/T30ZeY7e3qI/AAAAAAAAA_4/Sq2vxQtnQkg/s800/IMG_1241.jpg (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-W-zX0pJeSnQ/T30ZeY7e3qI/AAAAAAAAA_4/Sq2vxQtnQkg/s800/IMG_1241.jpg)
Make sure to lube the threads and the head to reduce the start-up drag and ensure accuracy!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0PQeMfXlGPA/T30Ze_al4QI/AAAAAAAABAA/C9EjZAAHZLo/s800/IMG_1242.jpg (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0PQeMfXlGPA/T30Ze_al4QI/AAAAAAAABAA/C9EjZAAHZLo/s800/IMG_1242.jpg)

Now this is important- make sure that you are keeping the bearing caps even when snugging them down. They are an extremely tight fit- just alternate the bolts and watch the spacing.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W-S7mdh07Nc/T30ZgZFznSI/AAAAAAAABAI/Tu6GlvSmjVg/s800/IMG_1243.JPG (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W-S7mdh07Nc/T30ZgZFznSI/AAAAAAAABAI/Tu6GlvSmjVg/s800/IMG_1243.JPG)
Torque and mark the bolts.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FcsfS57L7y8/T30ZhG_pf9I/AAAAAAAABAQ/DK_bNvROBvQ/s800/IMG_1244.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FcsfS57L7y8/T30ZhG_pf9I/AAAAAAAABAQ/DK_bNvROBvQ/s800/IMG_1244.JPG)
And another 90*
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z01aswVExso/T30ZioRADMI/AAAAAAAABAY/3ggWuaZd0rI/s800/IMG_1245.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-z01aswVExso/T30ZioRADMI/AAAAAAAABAY/3ggWuaZd0rI/s800/IMG_1245.JPG)

Now to assemble the new pistons and connecting rods. Ready for a bunch of pics? Well, sorry to disappoint you. My hands were too slimy and I was on a roll!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GhoHJpgIDaY/T30Zj53cXEI/AAAAAAAABAo/kIamHNjzYjw/s800/IMG_1247.JPG (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GhoHJpgIDaY/T30Zj53cXEI/AAAAAAAABAo/kIamHNjzYjw/s800/IMG_1247.JPG)
Just follow the FSM and you'll be fine... Use the cheapo ring compressor you bought for amazon for this job and all will fair well. Pay attention to the ring arrangements!

Con-rod and cap connected to CS, torqued +90*
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jrU4h7tuphg/T30Zk9u6yBI/AAAAAAAABAw/VG2W60kWsPw/s800/IMG_1249.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jrU4h7tuphg/T30Zk9u6yBI/AAAAAAAABAw/VG2W60kWsPw/s800/IMG_1249.JPG)
Ain't it a thing of beauty?
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-82VFvRctg94/T30ZlbhyuXI/AAAAAAAABA4/z7FqBP2p-CI/s800/IMG_1250.JPG (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-82VFvRctg94/T30ZlbhyuXI/AAAAAAAABA4/z7FqBP2p-CI/s800/IMG_1250.JPG)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-osmx4R8t8x4/T30ZmMcJfLI/AAAAAAAABBA/u5_HFWAoKl8/s800/IMG_1251.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-osmx4R8t8x4/T30ZmMcJfLI/AAAAAAAABBA/u5_HFWAoKl8/s800/IMG_1251.JPG)

Now throw on the oil pans and the bottom end is done!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w0zYbm2iKPg/T30Zmq4y8VI/AAAAAAAABBI/bk3-GZcGKI0/s800/IMG_1252.JPG (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w0zYbm2iKPg/T30Zmq4y8VI/AAAAAAAABBI/bk3-GZcGKI0/s800/IMG_1252.JPG)
Yeah, yeah should've cleaned the upper pan... NOT. Too much time/effort for something that won't be seen... It was tanked and degreased. Clean enough. Let's not go overboard here... :D

[Ardent]

Now, I asked the machinist how much he'd charge me to clean up a bunch of parts like the oil pans, upper and lower intakes etc. He said $25 and I jumped on it. Took him a pile of parts and they all came back degreased and beautiful.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-USHIO-PamJg/T30ZWiJpCsI/AAAAAAAAA_I/OD-cckDePoI/s800/IMG_1235.jpg (https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-USHIO-PamJg/T30ZWiJpCsI/AAAAAAAAA_I/OD-cckDePoI/s800/IMG_1235.jpg)

As if that price wasn't great enough, he said that the timing cover was so corroded and pitted that he decided just to blast it. No extra charge!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4L1LhzPUNDQ/T30ZVaEjnFI/AAAAAAAAA_A/PIm7pdljfmU/s800/IMG_1234.JPG (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4L1LhzPUNDQ/T30ZVaEjnFI/AAAAAAAAA_A/PIm7pdljfmU/s800/IMG_1234.JPG)
Great guy to work with! Stan at Rocky Mountain Machine in COS....

Back to assembly. We're almost caught up to where I am now.
Timing cover installed (new chain guide and slipper too) along with the oil pump cover and new torx screws.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WHsJOr4RzKs/T30ZpEbc1NI/AAAAAAAABBQ/0hedYtduavc/s800/IMG_1253.JPG (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WHsJOr4RzKs/T30ZpEbc1NI/AAAAAAAABBQ/0hedYtduavc/s800/IMG_1253.JPG)
Oil Cooler installed
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZX-yG6o8BvY/T30ZqWvt69I/AAAAAAAABBg/eHA3mDxOxNw/s800/IMG_1255.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZX-yG6o8BvY/T30ZqWvt69I/AAAAAAAABBg/eHA3mDxOxNw/s800/IMG_1255.JPG)
Power steering pump and engine mount
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTxo1ikdiBs/T30ZqxBKNvI/AAAAAAAABBo/e5tGQvrUXyI/s800/IMG_1256.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mTxo1ikdiBs/T30ZqxBKNvI/AAAAAAAABBo/e5tGQvrUXyI/s800/IMG_1256.JPG)

Ooh shiny!
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VVgNGWqIupY/T30Zsy2_BII/AAAAAAAABB4/Eh9Eup3OlUQ/s800/IMG_1259.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VVgNGWqIupY/T30Zsy2_BII/AAAAAAAABB4/Eh9Eup3OlUQ/s800/IMG_1259.JPG)

(you've just witnessed the extent of my creative photos)

Alright... Drumroll please... The moment we've been waiting for; the reason we're all here... HG time!
FIPG installed as FSM states and HG laid in place awaiting a good squeeze...
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A9NSDSuLVPA/T30Zu8qdF_I/AAAAAAAABCI/E_3D6M1nyG8/s800/IMG_1261.jpg (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A9NSDSuLVPA/T30Zu8qdF_I/AAAAAAAABCI/E_3D6M1nyG8/s800/IMG_1261.jpg)

Now, I'm doing this myself, so forgive me for not taking a picture of myself while I was placing the head, myself...

Torqued and turned 90*
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fDGbRrt6RSw/T30Zvan_SzI/AAAAAAAABCQ/EsL5sgSSDxA/s800/IMG_1262.JPG (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fDGbRrt6RSw/T30Zvan_SzI/AAAAAAAABCQ/EsL5sgSSDxA/s800/IMG_1262.JPG)
and another 90*
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_WBqDiXfXfk/T30Zv5tbu_I/AAAAAAAABCY/fxAg4RaInNY/s800/IMG_1263.JPG (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_WBqDiXfXfk/T30Zv5tbu_I/AAAAAAAABCY/fxAg4RaInNY/s800/IMG_1263.JPG)
Tight!
Assembled!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ahw1jso3vhU/T30ZwUnD8lI/AAAAAAAABCg/Yx0XKOA9TrY/s800/IMG_1264.JPG (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ahw1jso3vhU/T30ZwUnD8lI/AAAAAAAABCg/Yx0XKOA9TrY/s800/IMG_1264.JPG)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bfkzG53ciDM/T30Zw_0CUqI/AAAAAAAABCo/d908PZfj89o/s800/IMG_1265.JPG (https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bfkzG53ciDM/T30Zw_0CUqI/AAAAAAAABCo/d908PZfj89o/s800/IMG_1265.JPG)


And that's where I am as of last night.

Hopefully my injectors are on their way back from Witch Hunter... I'd love to get this thing running this weekend...

[Mporter]

Mmmmm clean engines.

Does your cruiser have the 3FE or the 1FZ?

[Ardent]

WOW! Great write up! Amazing job! :)

Thanks!


Mmmmm clean engines.

Does your cruiser have the 3FE or the 1FZ?

This is a 1FZ

[Jim]

Looks beautiful!

[Brody]

Nice Nate! Witch Hunter is a great outfit. I have had them posted in the vendors section for about 4 years. They do a nice job!

Ain't it sweet to be putting together all nice and clean parts?

[Ardent]

Clean parts are amazing! This is going to be so nice having a clean and leak-free engine. At least for a while...

Witch Hunter came through! Got the injectors today. Should have it running tomorrow or Sunday hopefully!

[Ardent]

Sensors, Alt bracket and coolant pipes installed. Lower intake gasket in place.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6F0dj72iat0/T3-hq1vlkwI/AAAAAAAABC8/H3dnhuTHsxg/s800/IMG_1267.JPG

Intake cam in place, lobes on cyl 1 an 4. Installed caps 2 and 5, then the rest of them.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5awvaYBiDBo/T3-hsJ8qXXI/AAAAAAAABDM/rykAXiTHzXA/s800/IMG_1269.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C5Hc_tPmkGM/T3-hsRetCZI/AAAAAAAABDU/0DP54mjgMdw/s800/IMG_1270.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tjXdNSyvjqg/T3-hsx1MiCI/AAAAAAAABDc/udLtA2MMIDk/s800/IMG_1271.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yIWedi0Le8w/T3-htWg3cJI/AAAAAAAABDk/vtqkkAW_SP8/s800/IMG_1272.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Xbksnmjok2w/T3-ht4FmgzI/AAAAAAAABDs/cIHhoFMue4A/s800/IMG_1273.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q2A1FUClKfs/T3-husRXhyI/AAAAAAAABD0/5KlIyjinpxM/s800/IMG_1274.jpg

Turn the intake valve clockwise slightly and roll the exhaust cam into place. Cylinders 3 and 5; caps 4 and 6 this time first.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sLJxUPt9N-c/T3-hvGeYxCI/AAAAAAAABD8/qGF6e45Y8GU/s800/IMG_1275.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rBP07QTf7oU/T3-hvuupiCI/AAAAAAAABEE/9iGugiW64wg/s800/IMG_1276.jpg

Installed Cam and Distributor gears. Lower intake is also installed.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bM8UK5VVJZY/T3-hwmtcftI/AAAAAAAABEU/d5qFjOoZzog/s800/IMG_1278.JPG

[Ardent]

Valve cover on.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t0QugOMujYI/T3-hxFEZRyI/AAAAAAAABEc/7HDl0Ve2P6I/s800/IMG_1279.jpg

Installed Distributor, plugs, wires and new oil cap.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3GqRiXY46LQ/T3-hyq5iBuI/AAAAAAAABE0/ullsZFVR8AU/s800/IMG_1282.jpg

Injectors came!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eyw9ZvI6ofU/T3-hzLGSTyI/AAAAAAAABE8/1kmgbBqrGwA/s800/IMG_1283.jpg

Fuel filter and alternator bolted up.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PR9TOPvxSek/T3-hzr3cVVI/AAAAAAAABFE/jV0vPcToYQg/s800/IMG_1284.JPG

That's it for today. I'm hoping to install it tomorrow. Depending on how things go, I'll hopefully have it running Sunday.

:cheers:

[Cr33p3r]

Nice job Nate, good luck on getting her running this weekend! On an offbeat, What coil over shocks are those on the front end?

[Ardent]

Thanks Sean! The Coilovers are FOAs.

[RicardoJM]

Nice work, the engine looks great nice and clean. Can't wait to see it back in and moving that truck around.

[xaza]

Very nice!

[Ardent]

Alright! Well, I've been driving it now for a few days and LOVIN' IT.

Here are the pics of the install, and one VERY BIG take-away.

All bolted up on the stand, read to be dropped in!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6ZJcIE5-Erg/T4baAvZeedI/AAAAAAAABFQ/VNa5KRt9ju8/s800/IMG_1285.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hO7_KAVkADc/T4baBFtaZ6I/AAAAAAAABFY/yKsqmBdlcyM/s800/IMG_1286.JPG
I put as much on as I could while it was on the stand to avoid having to do it while in the engine bay.

Off the engine stand and floating in the air.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qeLDNp7A7l4/T4baCRjtisI/AAAAAAAABFo/IPrNFQfSSkk/s800/IMG_1288.jpg
Bolted up the Flywheel. INCORRECTLY. More to come...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xew9FQQpS-k/T4baB-IGtiI/AAAAAAAABFg/x6ej3DAcOKQ/s800/IMG_1287.jpg
This is your final warning. DO NOT COMMIT THIS SAME ERROR.
It gets worse.

I didn't notice it.

My truck is so tall, I have the rotors on wood blocks ~3" above the cement. The borrowed cherry picker was priceless.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BrIF23Pxn-8/T4baC1CQGkI/AAAAAAAABFw/f0utiRk9Wew/s800/IMG_1289.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X8-Irz02fK8/T4baDSo2AJI/AAAAAAAABF4/P5RgsfLz4ps/s800/IMG_1290.JPG
As I lowered it in, an inch or three at a time, I snaked the wiring harness through the manifold.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NMyu5pHDVJ0/T4baD59sxwI/AAAAAAAABGA/yzPfBGn2Btw/s800/IMG_1291.JPG

Got it all bolted up to the tranny
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F9tUdNxqn1w/T4baERWK_oI/AAAAAAAABGI/vf6alsB8XZg/s800/IMG_1292.JPG


BUT WAIT!! You dummy! You can't get the flywheel to bolt up to the torque converter because you bolted it on BACKWARDS 6 HOURS AGO!!!

:bang::bang::bang::bang:

[Ardent]

Walked away for a day. I'm glad I took Sunday off. I was so pissed and resolved to having to pull the whole motor again that I benefited from not touching it for a while.

So Monday came and I really thought I wouldn't be getting it done. I ended up being able to disconnect the engine from the tranny and pulled it forward just enough to get my wrenches on to the 10 flywheel bolts.
Wrong Way:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pQFE6Fb1Ao0/T4baFOQqeKI/AAAAAAAABGQ/viUO66Zxp6c/s800/IMG_1293.JPG
Right Way:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ssXrmMfizoE/T4baFitEO5I/AAAAAAAABGY/mYIqwP55IWE/s800/IMG_1294.JPG
(the glow is from the fire I lit under the truck when I was debating just burning the thing to the ground)

Back in business and it ended up only taking about 2 hours to correct.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z25wVOONk4k/T4baGHFTdAI/AAAAAAAABGg/H8lFa_BlOu8/s800/IMG_1295.JPG

Manifolds on with new hardware:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SwUMPG3Digo/T4baHEUm2UI/AAAAAAAABGw/RJfJiTjVavw/s800/IMG_1297.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QyjueZJlRMs/T4baHqTgxfI/AAAAAAAABG4/7ZEO1wjwJw0/s800/IMG_1298.JPG

Fluids! Also got the intake/TB/air cleaner and the rest of the bits on.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rppdzBqb2U0/T4baIJPy3dI/AAAAAAAABHA/4Q7N4aU-o8w/s800/IMG_1299.JPG

Turned it over for a few minutes with the dizzy disconnected. Then reconnected it and she fired up! Stalled. More air in the fuel lines, then fired up!

She was running a bit rough- loping idle. Then I realized I forgot to plug in the MAF... :whoops: Plugged 'er in and everything smoothed out. Set the timing back to 3* (will advance in the future). The CEL was on because of the MAF being disconnected.

I took her for the maiden voyage. So smooth! The idle was quite rough before the rebuild, now I can barely notice the engine running. I haven't pushed it very hard yet, but I feel like she'll definitely have increased power over where she was. Seems to hold the hills a bit better. I have about 100 miles on it now, and I'm so glad to have my Cruiser back!

No more CEL's either.

Oh, I'm not finished yet...
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s-sC_67LjYg/T4bbI7QviyI/AAAAAAAABHo/Fvql_dhevx4/s800/IMG_1304.JPG
Still have to clean up that mess...

Freebie Bling from my parts guy!!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Wr4qOxi1awk/T4bbJm9wQCI/AAAAAAAABH4/ULW4WS_VVN0/s800/IMG_1306.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8nMiFlFVXPY/T4bbKPEGI2I/AAAAAAAABIA/_VKhaH0qRuc/s800/IMG_1307.JPG

[Cr33p3r]

Good to hear you conquered it Nate, and its working well! I am so glad to see that I am not the only who considers burning their ride to the grounds once in a while, especially after the frustrations of seeing you installed something backwards. Time away is usually the best medicine in those situations.

[4Runninfun]

Good job! I hate those bonehead mistakes. But I agree time away is usually the best. Otherwise tools get thrown, things get broken, etc...

[Popsgarage]

I hate those bonehead mistakes.

Been there, done that.

[Fordguy77]

Nice rebuild! Looking Good!

[4Runninfun]

Been there, done that.

There isn't a person alive who works on cars that doesn't make them from time to time. I just try to keep mine confined to those that only take time and not money to fix. Those ones really get the blood boiling.

[Popsgarage]

Those ones really get the blood boiling.

That's no kidding. Been there, done that as well.

[Brad]

Nice Nate! Love seeing others take on these big jobs!
I forgot to torque down the flywheel bolts on my 87 cabriolet, found that out in beaver UT on my way to California. We all make those mistakes! :thumb:

[CS79bronco]

Great write-up Nate. Glad to see it finished & doing so well. It really should have lots more power, that gray paint is the same as my 460 so should add at least 20 lb/ft & 10 hp.

[Brody]

Nice you have it fixed and running.

Like has been said, I don't know of a single mechanic who hasn't done some bone head mistake like that and I am counting myself....

[Ardent]

Absolutely. This is also why I posted it on here. It would've been easy to say everything went smoothly, not admitting my mistake for the world to see. However, I feel that if someone else can learn from my mistake, then it's worth talking about.

As was said above, I'm very glad that it was a time-cost mistake, not a money-cost one... Thanks for watching guys!

I have ~130 miles on it now, and everything is still running well. It seems that the ECU is relearning everything now too. I'll keep you updated!

[Brad]

What did you use for break in oil? Have you already drained it?

[Ardent]

I'm using cheap dino diesel oil. 15w40. It's still clean but I'll be changing it today. Since this was a full rebuild, I didn't have all the crap and contaminants in the oil passages.

I'll run that oil until ~500 miles. Then I'll probably switch to a higher quality 15w40 diesel oil until 5000 miles. Then I'll switch back to syn.

[Heather]

Great write up, thanks so much for sharing it here - and very cool that you're rig is running so well!

[Brad]

I was using rotella t 15w-40 with a large capacity filter. Plan on going back to that after my break in. Thanks for the info!