AZ89LONGBED

iTrader: (3)

Here goes:

My 89 yota started running bad & leaking oil from the head gasket at around 154k. I pulled the head and discovered a broken head bolt & the lower end looked in bad shape.

New motor time! Or new truck time???

I decided to go the new motor route. After some research I decided to get the following parts:

LCE shortblock
ENGNBLDR street/RV head with 268 cam
LCE header
LCE rocker arm assembly (actually cheaper than dealer`s quote of 600!)
new radiator
new o2 sensor

I`m building this primarily as my dailydriver, but I plan on going through the truck a bit at a time. All of the parts for my motor got here yesterday, although it will take me a bit to have a space available to do the work. I`m looking forward to this, as I have never really put together a motor before. Anyways, I will be under the direction of a solid mechanic with a decent shop.

I have heard mixed reviews about adjusting the AFM to enrichen the mixture, and I would like some of your thoughts. I live at & play at high altitude (7,000+) anyone with some experience on that mod?

Anyways, there`s my first post....

abecedarian

I don't think you'll have any AFM adjustment issues with the cam you chose.
Also, at high altitudes, air pressure is less so adjusting for more fuel would be a bit pointless. The AFM and O2 sensor should be able to keep the mix pretty accurate. If anything, you may have to lean the mix a click.

But I digress---- good luck!
TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!!!!
...and make sure you've got something to celebrate with when it fires up.

AZ89LONGBED

iTrader: (3)

Here it is, finally put together, didn`t go for the bling valve cover, but cleaned mine up. All EFI stuff will be at factory specs, & I need a new O2 sensor. This book from LCE had a butt-load of info in it.



This motor is equal to 14 days of 16-hour shifts firefighting in Norcal this summer (about $3200, with header, radiator, o2 sensor, beer, headbolts, rocker arm assembly & belts, hoses & whatnot...)

It`s so pretty & shiny, I feel like I should buy the motor a beer because it looks so damn cool & I learned a bit more about engines & building them. Anyways, more pics to follow later this week.

AZ89LONGBED

iTrader: (3)

no responses at all? u guys MUST be jealous...

abecedarian

or maybe we're trying to figure out if the new engine is making you happy


jealousy is something I never experience. I'm far too modest for that.

87TurboYota

That does look really nice. You need a lot more pictures on photo bucket (truck too). But great looking motor!

kev

Clean! Nice!

AZ89LONGBED

iTrader: (3)

A pic of my truck is up in photobucket. Check out my sweet vintage 7 x 15.00 R LT`s...

abecedarian

if the pic is in photobucket, it's really easy to get it to show up here...
there's this thing called the IMG tag.

abecedarian

you mean this:

?

AZ89LONGBED

iTrader: (3)

Before:



After:




Well, looking back I could have done a 3.4 swap, but I wanted to keep my truck more or less stock for parts & service in the future. So here is my finished motor! The biggest issue was getting the header & o2 sensor mount thingy to line up. Nothing a little heating & bending couldn`t fix though...

This thing absolutely purrs, and seems to have much more noticeable power. It would be nice to get it on the dyno in Phoenix after I get it broken in. I left out the old AC stuff, it never really worked & was the old style that needed to be converted. Besides, it is rarely needed at 7,000`! This spot is now reserved for my York compressor..



Header:


I will say that I had top-notch dealings with LCE & EB, and I reccommend them to anyone.

874runnersr5

damnn man, thats a real nice setup you got going there.
congrats!! haha

DSRTXJ

SAWEET!

My next project is going to be an 87 with all new powertrain in it and a little "pep" in the engine department..

Cwaters1184

thats awesome. great build

saitotiktmdog

Looks good but thats a lot of money for a rebuild. Oh well whatever makes you happy.

4runnerguy

now its time for a turbo kit

saitotiktmdog

If he was going to go turbo he should have spent less on the rebuild in my opinion. LC engineering is ver proud and there prices reflect it. I dont doubt that you get a great product but its still major coin. I would have gone engine builder kit, done the work myself if I was planning to turbo it.

4runnerguy

my plan is to fin a 1st gen with 22re and manual. rebuild the motor my self then turbo it, i like turbos

saitotiktmdog

I did that very thing. I have some recomendations for you if you want them. PM me if your interested so we dont hijack the thread.

AZ89LONGBED

iTrader: (3)

TOO LATE!!!!

I don`t plan on a turbo, just a solid motor that will get at least another 154,000. There may have been cheaper ways to rebuild my motor, but since my old head was warped & the bottom end seemed in pretty rough shape
I didn`t have much choice other than to go with a new casting.

Again, in defense of LC`s prices, there rocker arm assembly was cheaper than the Toyota dealership. I could have purchased a complete Jasper longblock for around 2,000, but I didn`t want a Walmart grade motor. A friend had a used 22re with 30,000 on a rebuild, he wanted 1,000 for it, but it hadn`t run in a year and was out of a vehicle.

I have been at the mercy of several Flagstaff mechanics before and having learned my past lessons from the "tourist-trap" mechanics & machine shops here, I opted to spend a little more money on higher-end stuff rather than get royally donkey-punched again.

I had the guidance from a good friend & mechanic here who reccommended that I get all machine work done in Phoenix at a reputable shop, if I stuck with my old block, but he believed my old motor was too far gone for a rebuild.

As far as a turbo, I can still go that route although my compression is 9.5 to 1, which may be a little high for any real boost. Personally, I am just happy to be able to DRIVE MY TRUCK AGAIN!!!

Thanks to all of you who provided some input & insight, and I look forward to asking more questions about future mods.