Pitbull Rescuer's New Project/Build Thread

[Tom P.]

Those two colors together are Transformer's cool. Your son is a genius! It's great you're doing the build together and planning to keep it. It won't be long 'til he's driving it and he will love the 5-speed. (almost as much as the reclining seats in the back)

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Hey man,

I just saw this thread. I assume this is the 4Runner we spoke about?

Good luck with the head issues. It is clearly way cheaper to fix when you are doing the work yourself!

Hey Brian, actually no, it's not. That was the '97 I just bought on Tuesday. This is the '00 I bought last month with the engine in pieces in the trunk. This is the one that the mechanic claims had bad rings and says he did a compression test (with the heads off it no less.) I just got the heads for this one back from the machine shop yesterday, still need to lap the valves and then re-assemble them. I hope to have the top end back on the motor by next week. (Schedule permitting of course.) Still need to send the injectors out to Witch Hunter but they're in the process of moving their shop so I don't want to send them until they're all moved in.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Some progress today. Heads are back from the machine shop. I installed the new valve seals and lapped the valves. I will most likely re-assembled the heads at some point today too.

 

[madbomber08]

Slap those heads on Tyrone, then you're golden!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Nah, these are for the IJM '00 I have. I'm not so sure Tyrone needs a motor at this point. I have to track down this miss and then go from there. Assuming I keep Tyrone, he'll eventually get a fresh motor.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Re-assembled one of the heads today. What a pain in the *ss. The keepers just wouldn't cooperate. But I got it done. Cams are in, I may tackle the valve adjustment tonight. (we'll see, long day.).

One of the valve seals I got sent was bad, I contacted the place I bought the kit from, they shipped me a few more today as a replacement. I'm going to wait to re-assemble the other head until they arrive, I don't want to disassemble it again.

And waiting on Witch Hunter to Vinson their move so I cam send them my injectors to work their magic on.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

PROGRESS...

Got the replacement valve seal last week. Installed it, finished reassembly of the other head.

Adjusted the valves. Got lucky, all but 5 were in spec. I was able to move around some shims to get the others in spec, didn't have to buy any shims. WIN!

And, installed the heads today. It's coming along.

 

[athlon450]

Coming along quite nicely!

 

[GladeRunner]

Great work PBR. Looking nice and clean.

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

Any updates?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Yeah but I didn't take pictures yet. Bolted the cams back in in. And spent two hours trying to get the drivers side exhaust manifold back on. Wound up tearing up my shoulder a little bit (I've had problems with them for years) and got more pissed off than I knew was ever possible. I'm planning on diving back into it tomorrow.

Anyone have any tips for an easier way to bolt the exhaust manifolds back in?

 

[madbomber08]

I've been in the process of trying to find an exhaust leak. I can't even get the heat shields off to see the manifolds. Driver or Pass. sides are no go. FML. But good luck to you, I have no advice.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

There are 3 studs on each manifold with a nut that hold the heat shiields on. I'll try to take pictures and post them up for you.

 

[athlon450]

put the drivers side on first loosely. attach the cross over pipe loosely. install the passenger side into the crossover and bolt it up loosely then pull the passenger manifold up to the block and bolt it up loosely. get under the vehicle and shake the crossover pipe some to settle the pipes and then tighten up the manifolds up to the crossover pipe. then tighten the manifolds to the block and torque everthing to spec. It is easier to reach the crossover pipe nuts from the bottom. I am amusing that you have yet to install the accessories, easier to get to with them off.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

That is correct, I didn't install any accessories yet. Only problem I see with this plan though is that I have 4WD and the front diff is in the way. However, I will be giving this method a shot anyway in the morning and will report back.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[redbull9944]

Update??

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Not really, work has been kicking my a**. I hope to dig into it again this weekend. I was held up waiting on the two smaller head bolts too, damn near impossible to get. I also sent the injectors out to Witch Hunter, waiting on them to come back as well.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Put a little time in today. Didn't make much progress, just finished putting the exhaust manifolds on (which is a b*tch) and installed the lower intake manifold.

Also, the mailman dropped off a present today.

 

[4Running Daily]

Are those injectors?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Are those injectors?

They are. Fresh from Witch Hunter. Only thing is, Tyrone developed a misfire, cylinder #6. Put plugs and wires in last night. Thought that fixed it but it didn't. So I might steal these injectors for Tyrone and send Tyrone's injectors out to Witch Hunter and use those on this project. Tyrone is my DD right now, can't do the down time.