Hi Gents. First post here. Just picked up a '77 Freeborn Red 40 that had been sitting for probably 20 years. Its in good shape body wise and has, like all 40s potential. This is my second 40. I owned a white FJ40 1980 in college. My main focus is to get it running and enjoy it. I also want to work on it with my kids and slowly restore it. After soaking the motor we were able to get it to turn. I changed the oil and filter and we got it to fire with some carb cleaner today but we are not seeing any oil pressure on the gauge. It would only run for a few seconds. Any suggestions to verify its getting oil pressure or does it need to run longer than that for the gauge to work? Thanks in advance!
77 Free Reborn Red
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A common reason for no oil pressure is the tip of the distributor not engaging the oil pump(dissy not fully seated)
You can get a phone down where the dissy clamp is and snap a pic.
If it looks seated. Pull the coil wire, remove the oil pressure sending unit(driver side of block below exhaust manifold), crank engine until you see oil squirt out the sender hole
Another way: Remove distributor, chuck something in a drill that will reach the oil pump(big screw driver with handle hacked off), spin drill until oil squirts out sender hole or leave sender in block, pull valve cover and watch for oil up top.
You can get a phone down where the dissy clamp is and snap a pic.
If it looks seated. Pull the coil wire, remove the oil pressure sending unit(driver side of block below exhaust manifold), crank engine until you see oil squirt out the sender hole
Another way: Remove distributor, chuck something in a drill that will reach the oil pump(big screw driver with handle hacked off), spin drill until oil squirts out sender hole or leave sender in block, pull valve cover and watch for oil up top.
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Thanks! I'll check those and give it a try.
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- #5
Pics coming!
EStein
SILVER Star
This story sounds very similar to what I just did! Can’t wait to see photos!
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- #7
I know right! I just read your build thread. I'm 50 too and also have a daughter that's going to help me get this on the road. #Twinning
Ok still no pics!!!!!
We demand cruiser porn dammit!!!!
Welcome sounds like a fun project. I look forward to my girls being old enough to help dad work on my 42 before they loose interest.
We demand cruiser porn dammit!!!!
Welcome sounds like a fun project. I look forward to my girls being old enough to help dad work on my 42 before they loose interest.
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- #9
Heres a couple of pics...
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- #10
Pics of inside the tank. Should I fill it with gas or have it cleaned and coated?
That’s a great looking 40. Tank looks super clean compared to some I’ve seen. Install a cheap clear fuel filter and run a few gallons of gas through it and see how much sediment it picks up.
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- #13
Aug 77. I'll have to check the frame #
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- #14
I plan on doing the following to get it ready to fire.
Plugs, wires, cap & rotor
PCV valve
Water pump and thermostat
Fuel and air filters
Change all fluids
What else am I missing?
Plugs, wires, cap & rotor
PCV valve
Water pump and thermostat
Fuel and air filters
Change all fluids
What else am I missing?
EStein
SILVER Star
Great looking rig. A little better condition than the one I found! Regarding the tank, the fuel in mine was old but I didn’t have any issues. Pre ethanol? Just drained it and put fresh in. I’m afraid to look at the inside but the gas looked and smelled normal. I used it to start my burn pile! Good luck! Get it on video! 
what size tires are those? They look good!
what size tires are those? They look good!
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Thanks!! BfGoodrich 33X10.50R15 ATs on stock rimsGreat looking rig. A little better condition than the one I found! Regarding the tank, the fuel in mine was old but I didn’t have any issues. Pre ethanol? Just drained it and put fresh in. I’m afraid to look at the inside but the gas looked and smelled normal. I used it to start my burn pile! Good luck! Get it on video!
what size tires are those? They look good!
EStein
SILVER Star
I wish I’d gone 33...panicked and went 31.
Engine pics, still have all the smog stuff for CA?
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I have a Freeborn Red 8/77 build also. Let me know if you need any pics.
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- #20
Smog parts are in a box. Heres the progress today. Looking for some quality hose clamps. Any suggestions?
