While I was deployed my wife picked me up an 83! (Awesome wife)
well it has a few issues im tracking down, and the search is working well for me. 203xxx miles just to give a rundown
~cons~
front and rear spring and shocks need replacing
wont idle under 1100 RPMs
hard clunk when disengaging clutch
half a$$ desmog
front window leaks
compression 1/150 2/145 3/145 4/90
oil smoke blowing into the intake from the valve cover
front axle needs rebuilt
steering has slop
timing chain eating into cover +- .050
exhaust manifold leak @ #4 due to P/O stripping the threads in the head
~pros~
a/c heater works great
seat belt retracts
cd player
toolbox
only rust is in the bed
4X4 works in all gears with no grinding
all lights work
~plans~
nothing drastic it will be my hunting/weekend toy
get it running dependably
lift 3"
33" tires

 

Wish my wife would get me a 83 yota.. Lol. Sounds like you have a good idea of what you want to put into it with out going too crazy. The only thing that concerns me is the low compression in 4 cylinder. Try doing a leak down test to determine where it's leaking compression.

 

I dont have a leak down tester or an air compressor. I guess taking it to a shop and having it done is cheaper than unnecessary rebuild, but the timing cover makes me want to lean toward the rebuild any way.
Thank you for the input I will still get it done though

 

hey there ..
also , get that front windshield out and check for rust around the edges . It is a real "sore" spot as well as the box . dont use the old weatherstrip , get a new one



.

 

slacker, i will make sure to check and take care of any rust i see. The weather strip isnt going to come off to ez and will break apart so I will need a new one. Ima make sure to get it done right.

 

Well today I went through the vacuum lines and replaced broken ones. Half of the lines were in the wrong spot, new fuel filter, air filter, and PCV valve. i have the manifold gasket on order along with the helicoil kit. It is running better. I also had to adjust the timing, I did it by ear and to get it to run decent its advanced all the way. Im thinking there is something seriously wrong with the motor.

 

Tomorrow is the day I take the motor out as long as the rain holds out. I found a machine shop to do the work, reputable in the area and a decent price without mailing it out somewhere. 425 for the work as long as only minor stuff needs done. Im going to get the rebuild kit from engbuider.com along with the desmog accessories from lcengineering. my wife is kinda mad but she said she wants it running lol

 

well i finally got the head off and OH NO! #4 piston had a chunk missing and all beat up along with the head. The cylinder is scored bad about 1/2'' down and about 0.040 deep! i will post up pics when i get them off my phone

 

can i use an 85-93 long block and keep it carbed? I cant really find and older long blocks

 

i finally got the motor pulled yesterday. found out the crane had a small hydro leak and the ram wouldn't go up all the way so i had to dig smon holes for the front tires and roll it back. When i got the oil pan off there was timing guide plastic everywhere and every bolt holding the pan on was hand tight at best.

 

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...psc2e745de.jpg

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...psdb56a7d5.jpg

http://i1288.photobucket.com/albums/...ps28cfaaed.jpg

 

Timinator, first thing first, your wife is awesome and you should make sure that she knows that we Yota lovers here on Yotatech are glad that there are women like her still left in this world!

Sounds like you have an awesome truck and a good base to start with! All the fixes that you need are doable, just use the wealth of knowledge on this site as well as Pirate4x4 (they are more hard-core and not quite as "newb friendly" over there, but still an awesome resource). Check out the link in my signature for some info as well as this one where I repainted my 82 2WD...https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f114...-begun-227245/

Good luck and ENJOY the journey...because you will NEVER be "finished" with it.
Feel free to hit me up with any questions.

GM

 

Thank you! I do have a wonderful wife and she is excited to get into some mud soon. I have looked at pirate but i get overwhelmed with modding too much lol. I really want to get the motor in and running than rebuild the front axle than lift and tires. The springs are flat in back and reverse bow up front.

 

Well just ordered the complete desmog kit with Kawazx636's instructions. and i will be ordering the reman motor on Friday from rockauto.com.

 

looks good!

 

motor is ordered got the parts from summit and LCEngineering.com parts are on the way.

 

Motor is finally in the truck and now all that is left is the oil pump drive gear coming from Toyota tomorrow, plumbing for the Webber, timing for dist., install accessories, belts, rad, and fluids. the tag on the new motor said i needed to prime the oil. ? ive never heard of it nor do i know how to do it. does anyone have a clue?

 

Pics or it didn't happen. hehe.

Here is a link about priming your engine on Pirate4x4, and here is one from MarlinCrawler.com. Both awesome sites.

 

AHH! thank you and i will put up some pics tomorrow pretty dark out now

 

seems like priming is pretty ez and i do have a zinc additive for the break-in.