Hey guys,

1st post, and newbie to Land Cruisers. I had a '91 Toyota for a long time and really want to get another Toyota 4x4 to take the kids camping.

I recently traded some work for an '88 Land Cruiser, FJ-62.
It hasn't run in 4 years.
It has the dreaded bad head gasket, maybe bad head.
It's been sitting with water in the oil for 4 years.

Also, the fuel pump is bad because it's been sitting with rotten gas in it for 4 years.


Is this vehicle worth fixing up, or should I sell it for parts and get another one?

The body is in really good shape.
Passenger front door has some bondo flaking off.
This is the only body damage.
The clear coat is gone on the side of the vehicle that was sitting in the sun.


It needs, that I know of....
New engine or rebuild ($1,200 here)
Fuel Pump
Bleed fuel hoses or prime them with good fuel
New tires

I took it to a mechanic's shop to be looked at.
He changed the oil, and used an external fuel tank & pump.
It started, but there is a knocking in the lower part of the engine.
It has very low compression, which trails off to 0 at higher RPM's.


Given the fact that I paid nothing really, sweat equity, what should I do with it?

Also, is it more affordable to get an adapter kit and put a 350 in it instead of finding another engine for it?


Any help would be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance.

 

Probably not the best place for LC info here... checkout the forums at IH8MUD.com - big community of 60 owners over there- Here is a link to the 60 forum- http://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/

Good luck!

 

Thanks Hophead,

I'll give it a try.

 

V8 chev is popular, V6 4.3 is becoming popular due to gas $.

Where are you located? The FJ62 is a good rig. 4.10 gears (fj60 had 3.7)

Auto or stick? A/C? Selling it?

 

Thanks Yoda,

I just sent you an email.