Its all fun and games until dad blows the engine

So, I started messing around with the Runner today. It still has some damp spots so I put a big fan blowing on it, might freeze now though lol. Does anyone have a line on a vinyl floor liner to replace the carpet in our cars?

Also, the Lexus is officially mine. I think I will drive it for a while and take some time to fix up the runner a bit. The 400 needs some TLC, need to figure out the source of the oil leak and fix this darn PS whine......

 

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I've been in water deeper than that without a snorkel with no problems......unless you hit that water at speed.........
 
If there are any leaks at all in that power steering system the pump will suck air and cavitate like crazy...pretty common problem with those systems having the remote reservoir and all...if your fluid is foamy in the reservoir you know you got a leak somewhere...if not, the pump may be on it's way out in which case, some Lucas power steering fluid may buy you some time...
 
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I've been in water deeper than that without a snorkel with no problems......unless you hit that water at speed.........

Yeah, it had side walls so a wave got going and was over the hood at one point...

If there are any leaks at all in that power steering system the pump will suck air and cavitate like crazy...pretty common problem with those systems having the remote reservoir and all...if your fluid is foamy in the reservoir you know you got a leak somewhere...if not, the pump may be on it's way out in which case, some Lucas power steering fluid may buy you some time...

Thanks, I'll check that out. H ave you had any problems with oil leaks? I'm figuring on a gasket set when I get the 1UZ out anyway but I'm afraid the seals are hardened. I think that I will be interested in that 5VZ you have.

Also, I found a vinyl replacement for the carpets that looks pretty decent. 4Runner Carpet--Custom Toyota 4Runner Carpet
 
Yeah, it had side walls so a wave got going and was over the hood at one point...



Thanks, I'll check that out. H ave you had any problems with oil leaks? I'm figuring on a gasket set when I get the 1UZ out anyway but I'm afraid the seals are hardened. I think that I will be interested in that 5VZ you have.

Also, I found a vinyl replacement for the carpets that looks pretty decent. 4Runner Carpet--Custom Toyota 4Runner Carpet

I haven't had any issues with oil leaks on mine, I have read that others have had issues with hardening/drying crank, cam, oil pump and valve cover seals when the car has sat unused for long periods. I have personally had the issue with the leaky power steering unit. It was leaking right onto the alternator and let the smoke out of it. The SC400 also uses a hydraulic fan system that can get leaky. Sounds good on the 5VZ...just let me know...I've got all kinds of 4runner and SC400 parts laying around. If you need any I'm usually somewhere between dirt cheap and free!

That molded vinyl looks like a good choice, especially if you plan to continue your sub mariner activities...

P.S. I did have oil leaking from both valve covers before my swap. and they are notorious for leaking down all over the engine...They can present as a major oil leak in the front, sides, or rear of the engine. A re-torque may have solved it but I just threw some new gaskets in when I did my swap. Careful on the torque spec here, I think it's in in/lbs. Maybe 52 in/lbs...or just barely snug with a 1/4 driver.
 
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I haven't had any issues with oil leaks on mine, I have read that others have had issues with hardening/drying crank, cam, oil pump and valve cover seals when the car has sat unused for long periods. I have personally had the issue with the leaky power steering unit. It was leaking right onto the alternator and let the smoke out of it. The SC400 also uses a hydraulic fan system that can get leaky. Sounds good on the 5VZ...just let me know...I've got all kinds of 4runner and SC400 parts laying around. If you need any I'm usually somewhere between dirt cheap and free!

That molded vinyl looks like a good choice, especially if you plan to continue your sub mariner activities...

P.S. I did have oil leaking from both valve covers before my swap. and they are notorious for leaking down all over the engine...They can present as a major oil leak in the front, sides, or rear of the engine. A re-torque may have solved it but I just threw some new gaskets in when I did my swap. Careful on the torque spec here, I think it's in in/lbs. Maybe 52 in/lbs...or just barely snug with a 1/4 driver.

I'm sure that I will replace all the seals on the 1UZ when the engine comes out. I'll let you know about the engine, can I P.M. you about it? May need some of those other parts too!

Hopefully no more underwater expeditions ;-)

I'm used to low torques like that, some of those cast parts are very sensitive. Some of the threaded fuel injectors I work with go to 15-25 in/lbs!


Thats awesome, I'm excited about those floor mats!
 
Got the 400 pulled into the shop to look it over. Tires were almost flat so I Let all the air out and filled them with N2, still haven't found anything with the PS pump. Grabbed a nice video goofing off though.









Tried to air it out but the T4R carpets are still damp, definitely going to trash them. Got to checking things out and found a broken exhaust joint that was not making the floorboards happy. Probably why it has been so loud lately ;-) Also, I located a con-rod shaped dent/hole in the oil pan, didn't get a picture but i can't wait to tear into the engine to see how much damage there is.



 
Has anyone looked into swapping cams from a 2UZ to the 1UZ for some better low end torque? Just curious if there would be a cheaper alternative than new cams or maybe a re-grind.

Also thinking about headers for the 1UZ, long tubes will probably take away from the low end, maybe some shorty's?

I probably need to start a build thread for my runner......
 
Wow...that SC looks super clean...Nice color too...I always liked the pearls....
Engine sounds nice and strong too...Good Find...

I never understood why these cars didn't have a tremendous following right off the showroom floor...Their used prices fell sharply all the way up to the 2010s. They are starting to develop a Cult of followers now days. Probably one of the best engineered cars you could buy new in the 90s.
 
Wow...that SC looks super clean...Nice color too...I always liked the pearls....
Engine sounds nice and strong too...Good Find...

I never understood why these cars didn't have a tremendous following right off the showroom floor...Their used prices fell sharply all the way up to the 2010s. They are starting to develop a Cult of followers now days. Probably one of the best engineered cars you could buy new in the 90s.

Yes, but she has her rough spots. One place on the spoiler, a couple scratches here and there, and one big crack in the drivers seat. The light on the tach needle is out but other than that, its just the ps pump and the oil leak.

There is definitely a cult following for the 1UZ these days, and turning the 400 into drifters... The internals of the 1UZ look to be very strong, looks like they are a great candidate for FAI. I am really wanting that low end torque for the runner though, I'm still doing some research on the cams. Do you tow much with yours?

If it were me, I'd drive the SC, and buy the $500.00 5VZ-FE for the 4Runner.

Thats the plan for now. Get the runner going, do all of the upgrades I can for the 1UZ like trans coolers, etc. and get some of the other issues taken care of that I want right. Then when the time is right I'll prep the 1UZ and get it the way I want it and I'll be ready for the swap. I'm not much of a luxury car person anyway, my dogs are going to hate it ;-)

Yes, yes you do. All these engine swaps make me want to go blow mine up!

I can show you how to do that, LOL!
 
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Just thinking out loud here and going to make a wish list of things to do to the 4Runner to get her ready. Going to switch this to a build thread as soon as I get some more time.

Replace 5VZ
External trans cooler
New radiator of some sort
Electric cooling fans
Deck plate mod delete!!!!!!
Fix leak on T-case
Drain and replace fluids
Replace carpets
Rear locker
Repair windshield crack
Paint hood
Body lift, hopefully I can get by with less than 2"
Etc.,

Ideas to get ahead before the swap?
 
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I haven't had any issues with oil leaks on mine, I have read that others have had issues with hardening/drying crank, cam, oil pump and valve cover seals when the car has sat unused for long periods. I have personally had the issue with the leaky power steering unit. It was leaking right onto the alternator and let the smoke out of it. The SC400 also uses a hydraulic fan system that can get leaky. Sounds good on the 5VZ...just let me know...I've got all kinds of 4runner and SC400 parts laying around. If you need any I'm usually somewhere between dirt cheap and free!

That molded vinyl looks like a good choice, especially if you plan to continue your sub mariner activities...

P.S. I did have oil leaking from both valve covers before my swap. and they are notorious for leaking down all over the engine...They can present as a major oil leak in the front, sides, or rear of the engine. A re-torque may have solved it but I just threw some new gaskets in when I did my swap. Careful on the torque spec here, I think it's in in/lbs. Maybe 52 in/lbs...or just barely snug with a 1/4 driver.

Sent a P.M. about the motor.
 
The RP HMX oil has Synerlec in it, which some oil pundits say are derived from unicorn tears. I don't know how much I would put in such a statement but the HMX oil is good, my brother uses it in his Chevy truck, which aided, at least in his mind, a reduction in the first start in the morning lifter tick. Past that I don't know. I do use their compressor oil with the aforementioned Synerlec with good results.

My cousin bought a new black 95 SC300 back in the day. Bedded down with the general manager until she got the price she was aiming for then dumped him like 3rd period French. Those days were the swan song for Lexus; today's Lexus stuff can't even compare except for the one LFA I sat in.

Keep the pics and saga rolling......
 
Just thinking out loud here and going to make a wish list of things to do to the 4Runner to get her ready. Going to switch this to a build thread as soon as I get some more time.

Replace 5VZ (got ya covered)
External trans cooler (any stacked plate type)
New radiator of some sort (stock replacement is more than adequate)
Electric cooling fans (Maradyine M166 is good choice)(control kit)
Deck plate mod delete!!!!!! (a must for sub-mariners)
Fix leak on T-case (Grey gasket maker)
Drain and replace fluids (Royal Purple)
Replace carpets (you got this covered with vinyl)
Rear locker (Toyota E-locker retrofit)
Repair windshield crack (Safe-Lite Insurance write-off)
Paint hood (Yea, I got the same problem)
Body lift, hopefully I can get by with less than 2" (2" makes things much easier, highly recommend)
Etc.,

Ideas to get ahead before the swap?

Upper oil pan, lower oil pan, windage tray, pickup tube, from 2uz engine.
Idler pulley from 2uz engine to replace hydro fan pump
Motor mount templates (got you covered)
Trans mount Templates (got you covered)
Wiring pinnouts (got you covered)
Access to "Toyota Information Services" download all wiring diagrams and info for 2000 4runner and 199? Lexus sc400. (15.00)
Flexible Universal lower radiator hose. (Summit Racing)
Drive Shaft Shop to extend and shorten shafts
Exhaust shop (need to save flanges from Lexus cats.)
Power Steering Pump and pully assy from LS400 (Two birds with one Stone)

I'm sure there are more things you can do in advance, here's a good start.
 

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