3:34 pm
The 4Runner needs more go juice. I figure a Ford 460 should do. 
Seriously, I've been looking for a wood-getting/dump run/maybe tow the 4Runner truck. I found an '87 F250 with about 130k miles. The motor was rebuilt at just under 100k miles (in 1999). Price is perfect, BUT, it won't pass smog. Anything simple the owner may have missed that I should take a look at? Is it even worth the trouble?
3:51 pm
May 4, 2004
Offline Do you know what part of the smog test its failing on?
3:57 pm
I'm not sure. He's done some work to it and it has failed a couple of times. At this point, he thinks he needs to rejet the carb or it's a vaccuum leak, but the smog place said he may be losing a cylinder.
5:50 pm
Based on my budget, the more important question is, can I turn this into a reliable, smoggable truck for about $1,000 without a huge time committment on my part or is the smog issue just too big a can of worms and I should keep looking?
1:41 am
May 4, 2004
Offline My gut feeling is since you don't know what's wrong with it think the worst and plan on an engine rebuild/replacement if you get the truck. You might check around with auto parts places or junk yards to find out what an engine costs.
I was at Kragen not too long ago and a can of brake cleaner or something along those lines rang up as an engine. 🙄 It was about $750 but I don't know what kind of engine was in the can.
5:19 am
February 5, 2003
Offline are you sure its a 460, and not an anemic 400M?
the 429/460 engine is IMO the best ford big block.
The weak spots are the ignition, and if it is carb'd, the carb.
They can also leak oil pretty badly, usually valve covers.
There are a ton of vacuum hoses that could also cause problems.
Another is the valve cover mounted PVC valve.
Find out why its failing smog.
Closed Mondays.
3:21 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline If the truck has failed smog it will now be classified as a gross poluter and require annual smog checks for the next several years. That being said, the most common cause of failing smog is fuel sitting in the carb on trucks not driven much (sounds like this truck). The fix may be as easy as getting a rebuilt carb. I owned a jeep (wow!) and it failed smog. I replaced the carb and it passed with no problems, but I was faced with 5 years of annual smog checks. I sold that jeep.
Losing a cylinder is easy to test. Do you have a compression tester? If not, I have one you can borrow. Just let me know.
The truck should be a pretty easy project. Remember that a 460 = ~10 mpg. Towing it could be 8 or less. Yikes! Can you find an old diesel in your price range? At least it will get better mileage...
3:24 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Dan H's post count is currently the combination to my luggagee - 1234(5)!
Movie line - but what movie?
4:09 pm
"BKGM Jeepers" wrote: Dan H's post count is currently the combination to my luggagee - 1234(5)!
Movie line - but what movie?
only an idiot would use that as their combo.
5:03 pm
January 7, 2003
Offline Did it just fail smog and needs a few minor tweaks to pass or did it get labeled as a gross polluter? If it is a gross polluter he can't even sell the vehicle until he gets if fixed and passed. It sounds like a real project because if he can't get smog who knows what other things are looking to pop up and give your problems.
5:14 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "lowrider" wrote: [quote="BKGM Jeepers"]Dan H's post count is currently the combination to my luggagee - 1234(5)!
Movie line - but what movie?
only an idiot would use that as their combo.
Very nice!
5:24 pm
December 18, 2002
Offline "lowrider" wrote: [quote="BKGM Jeepers"]Dan H's post count is currently the combination to my luggagee - 1234(5)!
Movie line - but what movie?
only an idiot would use that as their combo.
So, Lone Star, now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb.
Out in the garage collecting parts....
8:12 pm
"Howdy" wrote: It sounds like a real project because if he can't get smog who knows what other things are looking to pop up and give your problems.
That's pretty much what I've decided. The last thing I need is another project! 😀
The truck should be a pretty easy project. Remember that a 460 = ~10 mpg. Towing it could be 8 or less. Yikes! Can you find an old diesel in your price range? At least it will get better mileage...
Have you seen the price of diesel lately? It's over $4.00 a gallon up here. 😯 Something like $0.50 more than regular. I'm not sure it would get that much better mileage.
8:18 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "Bender" wrote: [quote="Howdy"]It sounds like a real project because if he can't get smog who knows what other things are looking to pop up and give your problems.
That's pretty much what I've decided. The last thing I need is another project! 😀
The truck should be a pretty easy project. Remember that a 460 = ~10 mpg. Towing it could be 8 or less. Yikes! Can you find an old diesel in your price range? At least it will get better mileage...
Have you seen the price of diesel lately? It's over $4.00 a gallon up here. 😯 Something like $0.50 more than regular. I'm not sure it would get that much better mileage.
I just saw 4.09 for diesel!! What the heck? 😯
9:02 pm
January 7, 2003
Offline Yea the price of diesel is getting crazy. I just bought regular gas this morning at $3.29. Thats .80 cents cheaper than what Brad saw for diesel. You might be right Bender by sticking to a gas tow vehicle. It would take quite a long time to recoup the extra money for a diesel vs the better fuel mileage.
I am afraid to see what diesel is going to be this summer when I hook up the trailer and head for the hills.
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