40/40 Vision

[Racer65]

Dang that sucks. I know that feeling. Claims are academic, since these parts are irreplaceable. Last month USPS smashed one of the 60 Series Euro spec mirrors I shipped to a customer despite markings of "Fragile" all over the box, and I'm still waiting for the outcome of their investigation to get my $50 compensation.

 

[Delancy]

couple of extra days and will be 41 .. so .. creating a 41 model ?

So, i've given this a lot of thought, David.

We never know what day will be our last, never know that there'll be another birthday celebration, and should, indiscriminately, (save the rusty Pig....by save I mean except) acquire Cruisers like ther is no tomorrow.

That said, in keeping with the year/model birthday theme and giving credence to the laws of probability factored with lifestyle choices, odds are, I'll see 41, at least.

Now, the same laws of probability lessen the odds of upper years (especially in my case where dreams rarely kiss me because I don't sleep), say post 60. So many cruisers, so few birthdays to coincide with numerical equivalency, so here's my thinking:

Celebrate the birthday years that I may never have, early!

41st birthday should be celebratory of not only today's age, but, say 75 or 79, too!!

 

[Delancy]

Claims are academic, since these parts are irreplaceable.

Exactly.

In this case, the packaging is expert and I can't imagine even USPS could screw something up.....until after its been removed from the bubble wrap cocoons, then haphazardly throw back in a container with lessened integrity.

Meant to tell you, Roger, that the PS option has garnered worldwide attention, at least amongst the international cruisernut crowd.

Guy I've exchanged parts with in Australia (I sent FJC goods to, early on in their Australian existence that were non-importable, ie A pillar grab handles) messaged a few weeks ago, asking about it, guess after seeing on eBay.

Don't know if he was interested for a project or just remarking how cool it was, but thought I'd pass along that it grabbed a mates attention!!

 

[Racer65]

Exactly.

In this case, the packaging is expert and I can't imagine even USPS could screw something up.....until after its been removed from the bubble wrap cocoons, then haphazardly throw back in a container with lessened integrity.

Meant to tell you, Roger, that the PS option has garnered worldwide attention, at least amongst the international cruisernut crowd.

Guy I've exchanged parts with in Australia (I sent FJC goods to, early on in their Australian existence that were non-importable, ie A pillar grab handles) messaged a few weeks ago, asking about it, guess after seeing on eBay.

Don't know if he was interested for a project or just remarking how cool it was, but thought I'd pass along that it grabbed a mates attention!!

Thanks for letting know about the EPS. I was wondering about the 79 Watchers on eBay. There must be a few from the international crowd.

As for your packaging, I suppose if an item comes from Iran, U.S. Customs is going to tear it apart.

 

[Delancy]

I suppose if an item comes from Iran, U.S. Customs is going to tear it apart.

Can add the friendly ME to packages of concern to Customs..... slicing a lower 7X removable door top weather strip in the process.

Unfortunately, the temptation of NOS NIB has proven irresistible and running the gauntlet a necessity.

PEEKING UP HER SKIRT!

I already knew, but for posterity, the underbody is remarkably clean and rust free.

Speculating she'd been H55'd before, because I can see no other reason for the pan cut.

Will be hunting a correctly colored replacement, should anyone have laying around.

Rebuilding the transmission/transfer and replacing clutch with TT goods from Cruiser Brother's (@wardharris and @orangefj45) and the cache of OE parts from @allan man.

So far, the hi-low transfer sleeve the only real casualty noticed, but swapped 3 & 4 syncro's for good measure. Thanks for fast response @beno !

Re-sealing pan, new rear main, hopefully side cover, too. The OE cover is pretty beat up, all I have is a big cap, on hand, and running the correct '78 dizzy that Jim C performed unspeakable acts to.

New manual steering gearbox , complete relay/tie rod assemblies, rag joint, along with leafs from @cruiseroutfit, shocks from @Radflo.....those two still in exploratory stage of determining what's necessary. Bushings were shot and she dove PS when braking, so hoping it'll correct the looseness.

Axles and hubs, look perfect so not touching. Brakes appear good, but while I'm in there, pads, shoes, rotors are on the list.

Hope to complete quickly enough to enjoy a little time behind the wheel before it's hellaciously hot, then tackle head/manifolds, dizzy, cooling and whatever becomes of the body refresh in summer.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

The pan cut may have come from a lazy shop and a clutch R&R

 

[Delancy]

The pan cut may have come from a lazy shop and a clutch R&R

I didn't think of that, but makes better sense than H55F, my only comparison for the FJ55 'pan cut' similarly that's H55F equipped.

Kurt,

On my list to call yesterday, but the real world beckoned.

I'm going to have limited time to call Monday to relay payment info, so I'm hoping the email string discussing the leafs, shackles, bushings and associated hardware necessary for the LCAH shackle reversal is enough for y'all to complete the 'order'.

I'll email the shipping and billing information in a new email, along with my contact information, now.

In the unlikely event you wind up in office or a position to accept payment information today or tomorrow, please call.

Limited time and mobile reception starting Monday, so it'll be more challenging to converse, but have to get it done to minimize time on buddy's lift.

Thank you and Bryce for all the assistance, spanning as many months.

Much appreciated and no differently than any other esteemed vendor, without worry and that's priceless!!

Chris

 

[Delancy]

Getting some love and attention.

Transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and skids torn down, washed, blasted, painted or cleared, then rebuilt.

Before:

After

Only polished, since within spec and seals perfect.

Rebuilt ebrake, new shoes, and cable.

 

[Delancy]

Leaf springs from Kurt arrived. Resisted the urge to disassemble and paint, so cleaned and painted.

Have been unsuccessful at painting the ugly ass yellow OME parts on another rig, so didn't attempt.

Ih8yellow

Front and rear axles were recently rebuilt, like new brakes, so, once again, resisted the urge to tear down, paint and rebuild, so wire wheeled and painted, intact. Do the same for frame next week.

Hopefully get shocks measured and ordered next week. They'll delay further than the current scope of work, but worth the wait.

 

[Delancy]

Thought wrapped up, but last minute decision to reseal side cover and swap dizzy have left her temporarily incapacitated.

Yesterday afternoon, ran perfect, but engine was cleaned prior to side cover removal, and, at some point, the remaining ghetto fab hack jobbed alternator "harness" dislodged and was mistakingly reinserted like this:

It was noted after that, she wouldn't idle without 1/2 choke minimum, so loaded new coil and igniter, thinking it must've fried the ghetto fabbed Ford ignition.

Swapped and no change.

Ammeter works.
Showing 12.2 at battery (ign off)
Showing 11.4 at alternator running.

Possibly regulator?

 

[Delancy]

To answer my own question, humor at my own expense.

Fought that issue for several hours, ordering up everything new to eliminate any potential source.....and still wouldn't run.

THEN, I checked the engine fuse....

For posterity, for future valuation in the event of my demise.

Alternator, regulator, coil replaced, along with swapping ignition that Jim C blessed.

Installed new gearbox and center arm, along with new links and rods.

Yes I need to cut the U bolts.

More on that, later.

Driveshafts rebuilt and balanced, everything removed blasted and coated.

 

[Delancy]

New master cylinder, although not the source of the braking issue.

Swapping booster for one of cityracer's units along with proportioning valve. Should free up a little space to run the large air can, and only thing on brakes not tended to yet.

 

[Delancy]

A year in the making, finally had a few hours to swap dash pad, other items best done with windshield down.

Wiper motor swapped. Need to extend ground to properly park.

Base gasket. Previous was fine, save the overspray, so easier solution by replacing.

Broke every damn clip on the defrost vents. Didn't realize I'll have to do all this again to get them back in, but all fasteners are freed so not end of the world.

After a year of moving it around, new pad installed.

Next up is entire cooling and heating system. Believe I've all the complete, but surely forgot something.

 

[Delancy]

Back to this:

Note the lug nut....

Noticed no slop in steering and have put around 500 miles on since all was redone, checked, rechecked, and initialed checklist, so I know all was right 500 miles ago.

Yesterday, 3/4 the way through a left hand turn across THE major thoroughfare in Tulsa, lost steering....

Made it slowly down the shoulder, not having a clue WTF could've happened and could not believe my eyes when I saw the missing castle nut. Lug nutted and made it out of traffic, back a mile home, perplexed.

When I got home, reminded my wife that there's no payday in the event of my demise, because all I can think is someone had to have tinkered with.....said tongue in cheek.

Scary chit, nonetheless, but a much better outcome than my last evasive maneuvering onto a shoulder....

so won't cry over spilt milk.

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Back to this:

Note the lug nut....

View attachment 1270439

Noticed no slop in steering and have put around 500 miles on since all was redone, checked, rechecked, and initialed checklist, so I know all was right 500 miles ago.

Yesterday, 3/4 the way through a left hand turn across THE major thoroughfare in Tulsa, lost steering....

Made it slowly down the shoulder, not having a clue WTF could've happened and could not believe my eyes when I saw the missing castle nut. Lug nutted and made it out of traffic, back a mile home, perplexed.

When I got home, reminded my wife that there's no payday in the event of my demise, because all I can think is someone had to have tinkered with.....said tongue in cheek.

Scary chit, nonetheless, but a much better outcome than my last evasive maneuvering onto a shoulder....

View attachment 1270451

so won't cry over spilt milk.

Glad you made it safely, Chris!!

 

[Delancy]

Glad you made it safely, Chris!!

Me, too!

Fixed a few days ago, and noted a pretty good amount of grease exiting the boot.....which kinda makes me think it wasn't tightened before.

Checking all pre-flight now!!

 

[Delancy]

Finally had a chance to work on the 40, since too damn hot to work, according to my guys

Repeated the windshield folding to get the damn defrost vents back in....

Installed new gasket at upper frame, because the easiest way to remove overspray, and damn thing fought it the entire way.

Had been missing a few lug nuts, so ordered what I needed and, as it always goes, the OEs didn't match....so 'fixed' the problem.

Before

After

Why post such a mundane task?

Because it all adds up and want to remember all the little things.... plus they should better go with the '78 vintage wheels and caps id like to trade for.

Tore into the heater, originally thinking I'd swap the selector from my '78 to the new late model I had, but even the new needed foam, plus didn't like the plastic corners. So tore them both apart and, with an SOR kit, chose what I wanted from each and called it good.

 

[Delancy]

That lead to heater portion of cooling system.

Before.

 

[Delancy]

 

[Delancy]

What a mess this was....There's just no good way to drain the radiator or block, that I've found.

Before: