1979 FJ55 restoration

[DedVassaby]

then i started with transmission and engine and Henkka continue with the body.
All the bearings, seals and gaskets were changed in g/b and t/c. Almost used

the gears from Finnish car as the were in better condition then others.

 

[DedVassaby]

Almost fully new floor and sill were done, cargo new floor was made from more thick metall so it is for ages now)). New front body supports, seat basements. Everything made by hands.

 

[DedVassaby]

A bit more photos of body parts/works

 

[DedVassaby]

All the hinges for the project were cleaned, and almost all main bushes were changed - i used bronze bushes which i bought as bushes for 40 hinges repair. There are also plastic bushes that could be used but bronze is better for me).

 

[DedVassaby]

Engine.
My Finnish car had 2F with dome pistons. It was working and in quite good shape. Crankshaft was nice, camshaft was a bit worn.
And i had quite fresh 3F engine from Japan from fire truck and it has less the 100k miles, so it was really fresh.
So i decided to use for my 2F block head from 3F, and also i took from 3F camshaft as it has a bit diff shape (5 degrees more advanced opening as i remember), timing gears (as camshaft gear is from kind of bakelit (toyota tried to reduce the noice from the engine), oil cooler, and hosing for thermostat.
Engine block was bored for new 0.50 flat pistons, with head milled, new oil caps and it was assembled.

 

[DedVassaby]

A had a new carb for 3F but i wanted to use 2F fuel pump so we drill carb to make returning line, there was some game with how to connect water hoses as water pump was from 2F but finally it was solve. Also we needed to modify holders for air filter basket as carb with 3F manifold it stays a but more far from the head.
Stainless steel exhaust pipe were made for the car.

 

[DedVassaby]

Engine

 

[Pighead]

WOW! Extra WOW! you guys do not fool around

 

[DedVassaby]

in the meantime i got a good fuel tank which a bought in usa. And started to prepare body for painting.
Body was painted with epoxy primer, ans as i mentioned at the beginning with painting all the internals. Then 3m body “silicone” mastic was put everywhere.
[Ah! Actually i also kind of this body mastic for the frame - it was put to the stitch like where body support connected to the frame].
And then bottom was covered with Wurth gravel protection.

 

[DedVassaby]

And body was ready for painting…
Not from first time but finally it was painted.

 

[DedVassaby]

Ah! This car should be with powersteering wheel. I found a p/s box and took from 3F also steering pump. So finally this 55 is with power steering wheel

 

[DedVassaby]

In the meantime everything was ready for assembling. Wires were fully released from the cover, washed, checked, changed where needed.
Then the car was quite fast assembled, and not fully, as we would like to make a trip.
It is almost impossible to make a right body parts gaps on 55))).

 

[DedVassaby]

For some unknown reasons fan with clutch (cooling system) did not fit to the engine completely! And we put electric fan. Why its happened still unclear. The same car - frame. body from australian 55 and there is no space for clutch fan at all.

 

[Pighead]

For some unknown reasons fan with clutch (cooling system) did not fit to the engine completely! And we put electric fan. Why its happened still unclear. The same car - frame. body from australian 55 and there is no space for clutch fan at all.

No, fan clutch does not fit the FJ55. There is less distance between 2F engine and radiator than an FJ40

 

[DedVassaby]

And finally

 

[DedVassaby]

Bit more

 

[DedVassaby]

Later i will attached better photos as of now
Sorry for the long story.
Hope it would be intersting.

 

[Chamba]

This is why the Vikings once ruled the known world.

 

[DedVassaby]

No, fan clutch does not fit the FJ55. There is less distance between 2F engine and radiator than an FJ40

Here is Finnish 55 with fan clutch.

 

[Pighead]

Here is Finnish 55 with fan clutch.

View attachment 4023053

Well, how about that. I stand corrected.