Builds '73 FJ40 rebuild - family wheeler (1 Viewer)

[SuperBuickGuy]

raise the compression (which means new pistons, balance, and lower end rebuild), add a cam, rebuild or buy new heads and how is propane saving you any money? spend less money, get better economy and more power with gas. EFI systems, complete, costs less than $1200 from Howell. Then you simply bolt on and go.... propane is great for BBQs, but it was a band-aid when it came out. If you really must go compressed gas, go natural gas and get a compressor for your home... then you get the big tax rebate... but even so, where's the savings?

 

[farpolemiddle]

I am not saying there are any savings over EFI. I am saying it is an alternative for people who do not care for EFI. I am not advocating changing anything with his engine in this case (except for changing out the big cam). Lastly, most people want horse power for towing and the freeway. As long as your rig is geared right and has a decent crawl ratio I doubt the drop in HP from gas to propane would be very noticeable on the trail and in the rocks.

Also there is trail repair to consider. The only electronic stuff I have in my FJ55 rig that I was given to set up by my grandfather is fuel pump and ignition. I have five spare modules and one spare fuel pump. I am weird like that. I even have a spare alternator that I carry when I am really paranoid. But then again I have throttle cables, multiple belts, all the fuses in the world, brake fluid, fuel line, coolant hose, clamps and the ability to carry two spares, ect. I don't have spare axles yet (bothers me a lot) or an air compressor but you get my point. My damn truck is porky and gets 12 mpg freeway on a good day. A lot of this came with the truck and some I added.

This is obviously not a good comparison since his rig is mostly a trailered crawler. On my FJ40 I have almost no spares other than front axles and minimal recovery and really do not plan to add much more.

I am just throwing out options for his situation and I think propane is a consideration, especially if he sells his current EFI for whatever he can get to offset the cost.

EFI
Pros
better mileage
if set up right better tuning
unlimited angles

cons
can be expensive if you do not piece together something
wiring and tuning can be a pain if new to it
hard to trail fix and that matters to some.

dual gas/Propane
price per gallon can be cheaper
easier on the engine
improved angles
two fuel options are always better than one
pretty straight forward to install

cons
takes up valuable interior space (IMHO a deal breaker for a lot of people)
less HP
less availability in comparison to gas

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I get the Zombie, post-apocalypse reason of propane - but that's also the problem. I can siphon gas from a zombie's car (they can't drive), but you won't be siphoning propane from a zombie's bbq grill



if you want zombie-apocalypse-proof the answer is simple - diesel - best of all, you can make fuel from zombies.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Interesting conversation. I have thought about propane, but have ruled it out because I'm going to enjoy this on the street as well as the trail. I'm also making it a 4 seater, so interior room is at a premium.

I think I'm going to set it up on the ProJection just to get it on the trail. This motor has ran that projection for years and I can always upgrade. Thanks everyone for helping me out! You all brought up things I didn't think of.

 

[Mace]

Perfect reasons for not doing pane in a 40

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Wow, I have really been slacking on this thread! Well, I guess I have been slacking on the project too…


So here is your long overdue update! The engine is ready to come off the stand and be mated to the SM465. Personally, I think she looks pretty good. I can’t wait to see it surrounded by Smurf Blue.

Also for your listening enjoyment, here is a link to the engine running before it was sold by the previous owner: https://www.facebook.com/vance.walker.52/videos/10202870846909772/


After all of the turmoil the end of 2015 threw me, I am off to a new start and this 40 is now a lot higher on my priority list.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Well I got a little work done on the 40 last night! I decided it was time to get the engine off the stand for the first time in over a year...

Once it was hanging from the hoist, I was able to replace the flexplate with a new flywheel, install the clutch I got from dirtgypse, and cover it up with an aluminum bell housing my Dad found for me forever ago.

After a quick call to my neighbor to help, I was able to get the trans and cases bolted up. It actually went a lot smoother than I thought it would, but man that is a heavy combo!

Next I need to finish cutting off the original frame mounts, slide (lift... force... etc) everything between the rails and start building mounts.

 

[mr jits]

Well I got a little work done on the 40 last night! I decided it was time to get the engine off the stand for the first time in over a year...

Once it was hanging from the hoist, I was able to replace the flexplate with a new flywheel, install the clutch I got from dirtgypse, and cover it up with an aluminum bell housing my Dad found for me forever ago.

After a quick call to my neighbor to help, I was able to get the trans and cases bolted up. It actually went a lot smoother than I thought it would, but man that is a heavy combo!

Next I need to finish cutting off the original frame mounts, slide (lift... force... etc) everything between the rails and start building mounts.

I'm going to order some mounting materials in the near future, let's figure out what you need and we can throw it all in one order.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

I'm going to order some mounting materials in the near future, let's figure out what you need and we can throw it all in one order.

For sure! Let me know when you are going to order. I also have extra mounts that you may want, if you are interested.

 

[Mace]

Get going!!!

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Well I know it doesn't look like much, but I got the frame prepped and finished up the few little things on the engine. That means she is ready to get located! I need to fill up the gas for my welder, grab some steel, order up the engine mounts, and set a work party!

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Last Saturday some great friends came out to help me locate this engine. I have never done anything like this before, so it was really nice to have some help! We started off the day by getting everything in between the frame and measured up. We were able to tuck the trans/t-cases pretty high (almost flat belly) and adjust everything for clearance and cooling. The only thing that doesn’t want to play nice is the steering. I will have to figure out what to do there. It may be as easy as running ram-horn manifolds or notching the frame a bit and running a pillow block. I’m not quite sure yet what I’m going to do on that front, but I have time to figure that out.


After that, we were able to build the motor mounts and get them all in. I still need to build the trans mount, but I know how I want to do it. That being said, the engine is actually in the 40 without assistance for the first time in over a year and a half! I am so excited!!! Now, onto the pics and a huge thank you to everyone that helped.

 

[Kief]

Progress is a good thing. Things don't happen in real life like they do on the internet.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

looking good!

 

[CreeperSleeper]

Well I got a little more work done on her. I was supposed to do yard work on Saturday, but the rain got me in the garage! I finished up the main portion of the trans crossmember. I just need to build the fish plates for the frame and cut tabs... I really wish I had a plasma!

My fancy welding table... Also known as the floor.

I'm okay with that!

Coping with an angle grinder... Fun....

Meh... I can fill that.

*closes one eye* Yeah, that looks square...

I think it came out okay!

 

[boots4]

That looks like a nice stout crossmember. That should support the weight nicely.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

This weekend the FJ40 went off to it's new home. Luckly a friend of mine bought it, so hopefully I will get to see it completed someday. It was a little bittersweet, but I'm sure glad to have my garage back!

 

[Flipper1938]

This weekend the FJ40 went off to it's new home. Luckly a friend of mine bought it, so hopefully I will get to see it completed someday. It was a little bittersweet, but I'm sure glad to have my garage back!

Bummer. I enjoyed following the build.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

How about an update on this pile for the last 3 years... LOL!

We left off with me selling this 40 to my buddy Travis (@knoll0351) for his wife. Over the course of those three years, Travis was able to finish pretty much all of the mechanical and electrical on her (the 40, not his wife...). I even got to wheel with him a few times and the ol 40 worked great! I will let the random pics tell the story:

 

[CreeperSleeper]