new member needs help with 80 series cruiser

[bullerdeano]

Hi guy's, I have posted this under the problems post as well as I need to find an answer to this a.s.a.p.
Big end shells. What is the go? A UK forum has said they can go after 100,000km, but also went on to say that the UK oil was the problem and wasn't compatible with the Toyota bearing metal (which was made for Jap oils) When I first got the wagon, the local mechanic told me to do them at 300,000km as a matter of course. My wagon is at 257,000km. They have never been checked. The vehicle is worked hard, but always serviced with filters and oils always done very 10,000km since I got it.
Sounds like big problems (and expensive) if they let go. Me no afford big bills at present. Also, it seems to me to be a straight forward job.
Any advice appreciated guys.

[xj]

Heard through the grapevine and entire rebuild kit can be purchased from Aus for around $1200. Everything thats needed for a full do-over apparently. Will try to get more info.

[sig]

a pretty well known fact that 12 valve diesels need to have their main and big end bearings changed.if this hasn't been done to yours make it a priority as they are an expensive engine to do up

[80series]

I have an early 12 valve 80. I did the shells as soon as I got it, they are cheap ($60) and pretty easy to do. They were fine but it's cheap insurance.

Dave

[suzolla]

Hi,
My understanding for the 12V was that it was just the Big Ends the were the problem and should be changed by 100,000km, whether you have to do them every 100,00km or just the once I am not sure. Fairly simple job to do in situ if you have a bit of mechanical knowledge, non Toyota shell are much cheaper than Toyota.
Some people have left them much longer, but when they did change them found bits of the bearing metal missing.

To do the Mains is a major job as you have to split the bottom of the block, pretty sure you would need to take the motor out to do this.

Cheers
Tim

[pruggerdore]

At those km's they would of been done or it unlikly to of gotten too this ks. however too not do them and have it die well
200 to do bearings or 8000 to rebuild engine (doing it prpperly). did it a year ago on a mates one after I told him repeatedly to do bearings when he bought it, procrastinated for 3 months bang = 8000
you do the maths.
do them asap