FLUSH IT! Tranny & Radiator.

6.29.15 @ 173,199 I got the oil changed along with a radiator & tranny flush. So, this completes all fluids changed. Transfer & diffs got it 2K ago. Purchased LX @ 168,500 ish...

There is an argument about flushing tranny's with higher mileage... They say the debree with help and add friction... sometimes I agree... The fluid in my case looked very clean coming out, so I believe it was previously changed out. I'm thinking it will good to go. besides its a done deal, why worry now.

The LX got hitched...

I've been working on getting the old race box trailer going for camping & one of the things that was needed was to cut, flipped & tuck the factory tow hitch... here some pics.

A look back on the head gasket repair...

Now that I have time to think about the head gasket replacement, I’m glad that I did the repair rather than having a shop do it. I did a lot of while I’m here replacement stuff as follows: All vacuum lines I could find, cleaned upper & lower intake tubes out. Replaced water pump, thermostat, all belts & heater hoses, drivers idler pulley, fuel filter, plugs, wires, cap rotor, rubber intake tube & several other things I can’t remember right now. These items would of not been replaced on a shop HG repair. I also feel much more solid with it now because I now know how everything works & had my hands on it. This thing is ready for another 100K!

There are several things I wanted to better or more of like a complete head job rather a quick & dirty head job… meaning I didn’t check all the valves angels or guides or valve clearance’s… I simply didn’t have time or money. I did lap the exhaust valves though.

I did make some modifications since I was there. The biggest change was I rerouted the wire loom behind the intake so I could completely remove the lower intake to clean it. I did a rap around the brake booster PHH bypass & also remounted the VSV in an easier place rather underneath the upper intake.

So, back to my trailer hitch mod & getting the old race trailer ready for service.

Oh what a Feeling, it's a Toyota!

Well, the LX is running as I type. It started right up. Oh what a feeling... I'm pretty pumped!!

It holding temp & oil preasure... it's all good. I just need to get the hood on & that's it. Freaking AWESOME!!!

I just got back from a 40 mile road trip (no codes) with my girls... Moon roof open & all the widows down singing, laughing daddy's got his Cruiser back... oh what a feeling.

Man it's good to have this season of life behind me. I didn't enjoy it one bit, but the positive side is I feel real solid with it now. This thing is ready for another 100K. 

My phone is having problems with pictures so Iwill post some up later. 

Thanks all for the replies of congrats...

Hopefully very soon you will see some real camping & wheelin pictures...

Having fun with the LX & I'm out...

GW Nugget

It's going back together

6.10.15 Cams are in torqued & verified TDC

6.12.15 Lower intake, fuel filter & injector rack is in.

6.13.15 Upper intake on.

6.14.15 Oil cooler, water pump, belts, clutch fan, fan shroud, thermostat & hose neck.

6.15.15 Valve cover & all gaskets are on, stabed in the distributer in, (now I'm asking myself maybe is that 180° out?)

6.16.15 Rethread altinator bolt & tighted up belts.

6.17.15 The spark plugs, wires, cap rotor, lower rad hoses & heater hoses, & EGR on.

6.18.15 I worked 12 hr. shift & went swimming with my kids.

6.19.15 These are the big items left to do today:

Exhaust manifolds, throttle body, heater return line, modulator, pcv hose & many small miscellaneous items, install battery, washer fluid botlle & fill radiator, change out oil, double & triple check FSM list, prime & start.

These are my extra parts that I don't know what they are? The ones on left are for heat like the exhaust gaskets.

Finally, installed HG & torqued head.

Well the day finally came when the new head gasket went on & head was torqued. This was the apex event of the whole project. I definitely can now see light at the end of the tunnel now. It's all down hill from here.  Here's some pics of the big event.

A/C dryer relocation mod.

I took a quick break from the head gasket replacment & twisted the A/C dryer over to get out of harmed way.

Lapping my exhaust valves

I am no super mechanic here, I just want to make this clear. I'm just doing the best I can here with what I got. To be very honest I'm quite overwhelmed with all this. This is my DD not a extra hobbie rig. I'm just blessed with a history of high school & college shop classes & I just like sharing my story with you.

In my last post I was replacing valve stem seals which went fairly well with the intake side. I spun them around a bunch of times to clean the seats up. When I started the exhaust side it was a different story. From what I learned in shop over 25 years ago I need to lap them with that gritty stuff. I did my first one & I'm happy with the outcome.

As of 2:00 a.m. I was finally finished. It took 2 days to complete 24 valve seals & 12 lapped exhaust valves.

Installing new valve stem seals

Today I have been installing new valve stem seals & doing a general inspection of guides & valves. It's a slow process. I didn't have the tool to remove the valve spring clips & no time to order one so the Lord gave me the witty idea of making it out of a pvc 1/2" coupling.

Old vs. New upgraded Head gasket.

All the parts came in yesterday Wednesday the 3rd of June. The head gasket is a thing of beauty. It is upgrade & reinforced all over, more so in the rear where most failures happen. This thing will be ready for another 100,000 more miles. Here is a couple of pics...