93 blacked out desert crawler

Working on my 93 that i picked up off of our local Craigslist for $800. When I initially heard the engine everything sounded great and other than a few leaky seals here and there the rust didn’t look to bad mainly body not frame or other corrosion.

Since getting this truck back in October I’ve replaced all the shocks, the cv axles, and numerous seals. I was at the end of a valve cover gasket job when one of the head bolts stripped off so that set me back.



end.



After a few weeks off of working on it because of holidays and “real” work I started down the head removal to get this bolt hole properly worked on.

Removed a bunch of stuff from the front to have room to turn wrench. Realized belts need replacing as well as fuel injectors and lots of other things so im just gonna do the full head gasket job while I’m in there and take good stock of the condition of the bottom end.


Radiator fluid looked a little too dark for normal so I’m figuring there’s some oil in there. That along with white smoke coming out on start I think it’s best that I do all this before doing any serious wheeling.

Today I’m picking up a 4” lift for her too. I plan on gathering all the necessary items for a proper lift as well as any lockers/gears I may need before installing all of that though. First have to get it in good running order. This engine is definitely not as “fun” as the 22re for a home mechanic but exciting nonetheless to start this project.

More to come!

 

UPDATE: started taking off the radiator, fan, shroud and belts.


Down to the timing belt cover!

Next is to get the motor in TDC on the compression strike of cylinder 1. Then I can start taking all the timing dependent components off. I ordered new belts and a head gasket kit.

Every layer of this engine is telling a story. Lots of gunk from what I can assume is the power steering pump. Although supposedly that has been replaced recently according to the previous owner and there are signs of recent installation. A good cleaning in the engine bay would do wonders though.

Next up timing and head removal and sending them to a machinist.

 

So I’m sure you all can relate to this but I couldn’t get these studs out at all. I bought a special star (torx?) driver set and got the first one out, but the second one stripped with hardly any force. Ugh, okay how to get this one out? I first decided to try a pair of vice grips (man, this is less engine work and more learning to pull stuck bolts out). Only after full destruction of the top of the stud did I think to have used the other nut as a locker. One day I’ll learn.

Today I was able to get it off with of all things the vice grips and a lot of wd-40.


Oh shit yes! Now I can check out my timing belt!
.
.
.


Good thing I ordered a new one with the head gasket kit.


Now we’re getting to some good stuff!

 

Jesus bud...... I applaud your determination ..... Wish you the best. Id very much like to see this, when your done/finished. Best of luck.

 

Forgot to post all these. Oops




Look how freaking good those heads look after getting them back from the machinist. Of course they had to laugh at my terrible tap job lol.




This exhaust manifold is a pain in the arse next to the steering column. Next time I think I’d try to take it out first to make some room.



This is starting to look so much better with all the clean parts!!




I’m super nervous about this but I was able to move the sprocket just enough to be matched up with the white marks again. So that should be ok right?!


Everything is so close. I just wanna keep working but I know i should take a break. Tomorrow I try to start it

 

So no go yet on getting it to start. I posted on the 2nd gen 4Runner mafia Facebook page about the engine sound o was hearing. My mechanic friend says toming but I double checked with another friend and everything looks right. There is some resistance when I turn the engine over by hand. I think I’m going to tear it back down to the cams and make sure of a few things I saw in the FSM. Not sure if I put the timing guide on correctly (that part between the harmonic balancer and the gear).

Open to suggestions but I have to wait for weather to clear up first. It’s currently in the teens and snowy.

More to come...

 

Not sure if you ever make it up to SLC but if so you could come see the project if you want.

 

Looks like a lot of fun! Maybe try asking some questions on Tacomaworld. Good luck!

 

that looks absolutely amazing with all the clean new parts, i just changed my water pump and didnt change out the belt or tensioner pully so i think the hydraulic is out so i have open it back up and get that changed once the kit gets here in the mail with the new belt and pullies. good luck cant wait to hear that you got it started and running again

 

UPDATE: after playing with the timing and a few misplaced wires/hoses on the plenum. It started!!! It’s leaking some exhaust pretty heavily from where I couldn’t get the down tube off and gave up so I’ll have to revisit that, and it’ll definitely require some fine tuning. But it runs!

Essentially the problem I was wrestling with was timing. The cams and crank were fine but the distributor was off a tooth. It took some playing to find it but man am I the happiest person in the world.

 

Love that feeling just have to dial mine in a little more but once you get it to come to life it’s exhilarating