Builds Project Lockjaw-1973 Fj40 on Tons (2 Viewers)

[mr jits]

Which is the best sunshell to go with in your opinion ???? Never have rebuilt an automatic transmission before. Got a friend that is a master ASE tech that is going to help

I think I went with "the beast" also (whichever one monster transmissions sells). I also went with the upgraded steel and friction plates.
I can't find my 4l60e rebuild manual. The th350/400 one is here, so I'm guessing i loaned it out, sorry.
The manual is cheap on Amazon, and you'll want to watch the rebuild videos by Hiram Gutierrez. Dude knows what he's doing.

 

[cruisermatt]

i just don't get spending a bunch of time and parts rebuilding a 4l60e to still have a weaker transmission then a regular junkyard 4l80e. Or TH400. Why do you need a overdrive for this rig @bluehawk?

 

[bluehawk]

i just don't get spending a bunch of time and parts rebuilding a 4l60e to still have a weaker transmission then a regular junkyard 4l80e. Or TH400. Why do you need a overdrive for this rig @bluehawk?

I decided to go with the 4L60 due to the lower first gear. If I want to drive cross country, the OD will be quite nice to have. Parts wise the sunshell, tcc valve, and assorted parts aren't that much. When you have a ASE Certified friend that is gonna rebuild it for free, that's a win. Plus he gets parts at cost.

 

[bluehawk]

Time to stretch the frame. 1976 donor frame to cut up.

 

[bluehawk]

Got the 4L60E back from Dustless Blasting.
Before pictures and last one with some high temperature primer on it.

 

[bluehawk]

Got some good used Toyo tires from my buddy Mark Redden in Virginia.

 

[bluehawk]

Started the frame stretch process today. Gonna be a lot of work but well worth it in the end.

The plasma cutter makes short work of the brackets. Love using it.

 

[bluehawk]

Took a break on the frame. Decided to take a peak in the engine. This was a junkyard motor I got from a friend and oh my goodness. Please change your oil on a regular basis.

 

[bluehawk]

Good thing is: rockers, valves, cam, pistons, and mains look really good. The only thing that needs changed is the timing chain. Time to clean it all up.

 

[bluehawk]

Worked on the frame today. She is 12" longer now

 

[bluehawk]

Had a little visitor show up in the garage to see what was going on. Released back to the outdoors

 

[cruisermatt]

that motor looks great. Sludge pups are the best. I bet you wont be able to tell a difference between the original timing chain and the new one because they last forever.

 

[bluehawk]

that motor looks great. Sludge pups are the best. I bet you wont be able to tell a difference between the original timing chain and the new one because they last forever.

After setting TDC, the chain is tight on drivers side and has a bunch slack on the passenger side

 

[cruisermatt]

After setting TDC, the chain is tight on drivers side and has a bunch slack on the passenger side

Yeah, they're sloppy. The new one will be too. Your engine is only going to spin one direction so it doesn't matter that the trailing side of the chain is sloppy. They added a tensioner on the Gen 4 motors but people just throw them out all the time.

 

[bluehawk]

If you have never tried it, here is a hint for broken off bolts in the head of your motor. Had one on the exhaust side. Take your MIG welder and build up an ear to clap on some vise grips. The heat of the weld will help loosen it up also.

The weld will not stick to the aluminum head.

 

[Augustiron]

I weld a flat washer to the flush broken bolt, then a nut to the flat washer (either weld inside the nut or outside, depending on size and room). As soon as it is no longer red hot, grab with vice grips and start to work back and forth as you unscrew it.

 

[Noahrob]

@bluehawk super pumped on your build...I'm on a similar (not as badass) track with a 6.0/sm465/np205 and rusty fj40..was thinking 1 ton Chevy axles but haven't really thought about suspension yet

Anyway, I just wanted to say what's up and I'll follow along to learn...

 

[bluehawk]

@bluehawk super pumped on your build...I'm on a similar (not as badass) track with a 6.0/sm465/np205 and rusty fj40..was thinking 1 ton Chevy axles but haven't really thought about suspension yet

Anyway, I just wanted to say what's up and I'll follow along to learn...

@Noahrob thanks for taking a look at my build and following along. If you have any questions feel free to ask away. Let me also know if you start a build thread and I'll follow along.

 

[Noahrob]

I dont have the skills you do, but I am committed to learning and bumbling my way through...

Project WTF have I gotten myself into???

Yeah, a few things I noted. First, there are vapor tubes build in to the passenger seat that are tee'd to the gas tank and run all the way to the rear passenger quarter panel (this vapor thingy) and the driver side front fender which is a vacuum solenoid of some sort...a lot of tubing that will...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[bluehawk]

So it looks like its gonna be code 621 Rustic Green for this project. Gonna be a single stage paint job