Recent content by Ratt

I know, dragging up an old thread, however, does anyone know where to get the body mount gaskets for a drop tailgate>

When you have an ice storm remember you can get going faster than you can stop. Leave lots of room. She will straighten up easily if you just get out the gas. If they salt the roads find a heated power washer, pay the money if you have to have someone else do it, it will save the body, and do it...

Um, if the main tranny is in neutral, and the TC is in neutral, I would think the only thing spinning would be the output shaft on the main tranny? Isn't the layshaft the hookup to the TC?

If it was originally a column shift there should be a spot on the top of the steering mount where the shaft pivoted on the very top of it, about a .5 in hole. There should also be some extra space above the column where the shaft went through the firewall, about 1.5 inches of space above the column.

I think putting a cat on would be legal, you just can't take any original smog equipment off. I had a truck that wouldn't pass until I put a new cat on it, but it had one in the first place. When you say Dyno do you mean they put the wheels up on a roller and test it under load? Around here they...

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it. I know even Birfs don't like to be torqued when turned. I don't know what the previous owner did to this motor. or even if it is a 350 or 383, but this cruiser has some HP and I worry that it will destroy the drivetrain. Fun to drive anyway!

Yes we are, Like I said different rules apply down in the LA basin/ LA and OC counties. If you go up into different counties in Nor Cal you might not have to have it smogged at all, like Lake County by Clear Lake, and many others where smog is minimal.

I don't do any heavy crawling, mostly logging roads and skid trails, in the snow during deer season. Like I said I have a 71 front end I can restore and swap in if needed. Usually when I'm turning and punching it it is to get out of ruts in the snow or mud, so the tires aren't really hooked up...

No one in my area (No. of Sac) has a dyno tester, it is all done with tailpipe tests. So Cal has different rules than us. Personally I'd take a look at the EGR valve and make sure that it was clean. Look at the garbage that piles up on an old exhaust valve, same for an EGR, exhaust is not nice...

If it starts and drives I'd go for it, actually I did with a '65 in worse body condition. Rust never sleeps. :beer:

California makes the choice easy for us, pre 76 doesn't have to be smogged, 76 and later have to meet smog standards FOREVER! $60 every other year for inspections. No putting on a Weber or changing any smog stuff, unless you want to swap it back before the inspection...not that anyone would do...

No, there is nothing wrong with them, yet. I am just worried that the old style would not stand up to the V8 that is installed as well, parts availability is also greater with the birfs.

Um, I checked all the FAQ stuff, and did a search, I checked to make sure my fly was zipped, and my deodorant didn't fail. If someone needs to point out I'm stoopid I can handle that, I've been called worse. Just thought the experts would chime in. Ratt :confused:

Other than the spider gear splines, can I swap out the old "ball" type joint for a birfield? If not I have a '71 front end I can swap in, but I'd like to keep that as a spare, ya never know. Oh yeah, first post here. I have been reading the tech stuff for years, I own 3 FJ40's, a '65 rust...