GoudyMan

Ok... I know this is a yota board... but i also know some of you guys have the answer to just about any car question I could ask...

So, I am gonna throw out some two quick chevy questions... (also, all this stuff is in a FJ40 I am checking out for my possible new rig-- so that is the yota connection.)

1. In the rig is a 1991 TPI LT1 Vette 5.7l. Is this a 2 bolt or 4 bolt main? I think most 350s are 4 bolt, but this only has 2 motor mounts. (and one is missing the bolt, kakaka)

2. It has a Turbo 400 Trans (late model, not sure year). It is missing the bellhousing for the flywheel. What will this cost to replace? (I am guessing cheap, as chevy parts tend to be a dime a dozen, but not really sure.)

Thanks fellas.

JL8Jeff

I don't think the LT1 came out until 1992 so it's probably a TPI 350 which is not nearly as good an engine as the LT1. It's a decent engine though. Since they weren't really high performance I would guess it's a 2 bolt main block. But that has nothing to do with the number of motor mounts. There should only be 2 motor mounts, 1 for each side. A TH400 transmission does not have a bellhousing, they came on manual transmissions not automatics. You might be thinking about the inspection cover which is really no big deal, it just keeps dirt out. I would drive it and see how it behaves to make sure the computer is running the fuel injection correctly.

kyle_22r

2 bolt vs 4 bolt is a stupid argument. a lot of chevy idiots think that having 4 bolt mains gives some kind of horsepower boost

that said, if its a good deal, i don't think i'd hesitate buying it, other than the fact that it has a slushbox. wouldn't mind having a big block torque monster cruiser, something not too insane like a 366 or a 402...it'd fit in the engine bay, yet still be lighter than the boat anchor stovebolt i6 knockoffs used in the FJ40(though reliability is always up in the air)

Yoda

How long is the rear driveshaft? TH400 & adapter usually make a short shaft (My TH350 and short adapter show me that)

The engine numbers are on the rear/top of the block, to the drivers side of the dist (or where the dist usually is). You can run the ## on the net or I can look it up for ya. (search chev casting numbers)

Any pix?

GoudyMan

No photos... haven't purchased it yet.

Bellhousing is the wrong word... but the cover over the flywheel and torque converter on the bottom 1/2 is missing. It looks like I just need to pick up a plate from a junk yard.

He said it was a 1991 Vette Engine... I know its 5.7l TPI, maybe its not a LT1 or LS1. I can verify it is the same

Still trying to figure out if I can swing this because I am in college and broke. I am ohhhh so tempted to sell the '01 Tacoma to pick this thing up!! But the 10-12 mpg and the out of state (from home / parents insurance co.) is what is whats killing me.

Also, my concern is more the strength of the motor mounts.... not so much the power. It has pleeeeeeeeeeenty of power!!

dlbrunner

Do not sell your dd for a FJ40! period, unless the 2f ius in place. If you have not done a V8 conversion on a FJ40 or are intamately familiar with the pitfalls, keep looking. The autos are so long that often times some funky engineering is used to squeeze them in. Also at least a 1" body lift is a good idea to facilitate cooling. Speaking of cooling, with a 350 the stock radiator (in tip top shape) can barely handle the engine temps. for the area allowed make sure it has at least a 4 core radiator, even aluminum would be best.
Check the rear drive angle, as mentioned above.
Check the scab plates/motor mounts, look for backyard welding.
Dude I did exactly what you did, I sold my reliable 89 p/u, bought the cruiser and then put in the 350, I really regret that, it took me a long time before I got a reliable set of wheels, FJ40's are fun on road trips for about 2.5 hours, after that it's all about how much pain you can handle.
I am not knocking the FJ40, it was by and large the coolest truck I have ever owned, but off road it was almost unstoppable. Just think, you will be wrenching a lot, if the conversion is crappy then you will be wrenching even more.

A v8 in a FJ40 does have a lot of power, but I gained no top end and lost MPG. If I was to do it again I would put a 3fz in one. the high HP caused the wheels to break loose a lot off road, and I had to change my driving style quite a bit after the conversion.

Also consider the year of the cruiser, if the vehicle is pre 76 it does not have disc brakes, that is no fun. The breaks require attention, they need to be adjusted every so often, and 4 wheel drums are just plain scary when wet.

Have an experienced cruiserhead go with you to look at the truck, you will get an honest non-biased opinion. All I know is I got wood when I saw mine before I bought, and it clouded my judgement (does this sound familiar?).

Flamedx4

The Motor Trend vette bible says 1971 saw the L48 350 in 270hp and LT1 330hp, and LS 5 454 in 365hp and LS6 454 425hp (Oh my!)
and that 1972 came with L48 350 at 200 hp and LT1 350 255hp and LS5 454 270 hp.

Notice the difference? one reason is lower compression ratios to meet newfangled EPA standards. The other is that the rating method was standardized to the way it is today - net ratings.

There are two blocks, one with two-bolt mains and one with four-bolt mains. They both have the same 10125327 casting number, so there’s no sure way to know which one you have until you get the pan off. However, if it came out of a Corvette, it should be a four-bolt block, and if it came out of anything else, it was supposed to be a two-bolt.

kyle_22r

i thought trucks, blazers, and vans had 4 bolt blocks?

JL8Jeff

You're talking about the old LT-1 which was in the Camaro and Corvette from 1970-72(and a few Yenko Deuce Nova's in 1970). He's referring to the newer 92-97 LT1 with fuel injection.

Count__Olaf

ok, i have a 1974 fj40, i was thinking about doing a sbc 350 conversion, but my brother ( who is the motor head of the family) dosent think there would be enough room and a v8 would be over kill in this particular vehicle. my problem is this, the stock engine, which has excellent compression for being original 105.100.110.103.115.110) is the gutless wonder of the block. for being geared so low I lose speed just driving around town. I only have a top speed of 55 or 60 miles per hour. so i was thinking of doing a v8 conversion so i could afford the power to upgrade the engine and make it a decent, practical everyday car. eaither that or hock it and but a new FJ cruiser which im awww'd by but not thrilled with the addition of all the plastic that goes into newer cars and the computer which makes it more difficult to repair a problem on your own. what are your guys thoughts?