'87 FJ60 "Cookie Monster" (1 Viewer)

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Not costly just need the right parts and tools.
 
The galley plug fix looks easy enough at this point, I'll add it to the list. Tires are still in the garage. I've got all of my engine fixes to work on first, then I need to fix the TRE's and add a new steering dampener before I can drive it down to the tire shop. I'm probably a month away from mounting tires and driving again. It's a slow and steady project for me, but I want to replace as much as I can while everything is torn down. I'm contemplating a new head gasket while I'm this far into it, but not sure how to check if it's necessary.
 
Love the steelies :D
 
Did some more tinkering this weekend. I'm waiting on JT Outfitters to make a call on the header they sent me, as it was poorly ground and I don't believe it will seal properly without spending another $150. Once I get the header issue fixed, I should be rolling again. I took off the skid plates to access the exhaust and remove the stock manifold and down pipe, removed 30 years of grime and re-painted with rubberized paint. I also started swapping out shackles and bushings on the front end. The shackles were easy enough and the old bushings were actually poly (I thought they were rubber). I'm also starting quite a collection of used bolts as I go through and replace everything I remove. I also took off the carb and noticed I need a rebuild kit to replace all of the gaskets.

I should start having parts for sale...stock exhaust manifold, stock carb, extended shackles, etc, as I pull old parts off. I'm also looking at new front seats. Does anyone know the market for decent stock front seats? I would like to buy some nice suspension seats instead of re-apholstering my stockers.
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I'm on a never-ending quest to replace every coolant/oil cooler/heater/fuel hose in the rig...what a friggin' PITA! I'm into my 4th box of hose clamps so far and I think I have about 6-7 hoses to go.

Also, JT Outfitters is holding me up on the defective header they sent me. I've called them 4 times and emailed twice to get the problem fixed but I don't think they really care.
 
What spark Plugs are best for the 2F with a Webber 38 and a header? Also, has anyone determined the best motor oil to use for an original motor? I'm assuming a switch to synthetic would be risky with a non-rebuilt motor?
 
BPR5EY is the stock plug, you won't see much difference on a stock motor, 2 percent gain on 100 hp is only 2 hp if you gain anything by running expensive spark plugs. Running the proper air/fuel ratio is a good place to start. Don't sell your stock carb yet.. Trolhole's aftermarket carb has a good reviews. A properly tuned stock carb is probably the best all-around carb (arguably)
Synthetic may leak a lot with old seals, at least that is what I found. If you are burning a little oil it may be time to do valve guide seals if the rings are good and your compression is good. I wouldn't use synthetic if you aren't going to redo all of your seals. The front and rear main seals are probably crispy-stiff if they are original. If you don't put on a lot of miles then you might think about how often you want to change the oil vs. synthetic which is good for 10 to 25k .
I am not going into the brand war, search..
The 2f is not a race engine, just a torquey ol' tractor/truck motor.
 
If you paid for the header with a credit card I would contact your credit card company and dispute it.. They'll respond..
 
Thanks kief. I've never been a sucker for expensive plugs and always used NGK when I could. I'll stick with regular oil and apparently an additive for older engines. The header is all figured out, it was defective from the mfg and they fixed it for me. I should have the last 2 heater hoses swapped out tomorrow and will start putting the intake/exhaust manifold back on. After that I have new shackles, bushings and TRE's. Then it's off to the muffler shop and tire shop to mount, balance, and align. Should be back to driving after that!
 
No pictures, but I finished replacing every coolant-related line possible (19 total!). I pulled the old TRE's off and got 3 out of 4 back on. I have a little extra work to get the 4th one on. Dash cap was installed and looks great! I started looking at replacing the pads/rotors on the front axle and found one caliper was frozen. I went to O'Reily's today and picked up new front calipers for $35 each, new rubber brake lines, drivers window regulator and new handle. Ordered a rebuild kit for my carb, which I'll try to install after work this week.

Things are moving back in the right direction. My parts pile is moving out of my garage and back on to the Cruiser so that's encouraging! I hope to be running within the next couple weeks.
 
Well, good/bad/progress! As I was jumping in on replacing my brake disks/calipers/lines, I was contemplating on rebuilding the axle, too, since i had the parts. Surprisingly, my wife talked me into it! It was a pain in the ass and took the whole day. First, I had to find a 55mm axle nut socket (special order), then I snapped a wheel stud (all new studs and nuts now), then I took me forever to figure out how to divorce the rotor from the hub (a quick search on MUD was my friend), then the spindle bearing was frozen on the steering arm so I had to fight that for a couple hours. Once everything was apart, it was time for re-assembly!

Everything went together pretty good and the job of rebuilding the birfs was not too bad. Everything was in great shape and all seals were still good. The last thing I needed help with to finish the install was a press for the new wheel studs. I got those pressed in today and should have the passenger side done by the weekend.

I think I can complete the drivers side in about 1/2 a day and cross off a big item on my list, actually several big items! It's nice to have MUD for reference, too. I came to the site about 3 times to find how-to videos and threads for questions and answers only a first-timer would ask.
 
I had to take last week off and this weekend is my birthday weekend, so Cookie Monster will be neglected again. I'll probably finish up the front end rebuild next weekend and rebuild the carb the following weekend. From that point on it's up to local shops to re-do the exhaust, install tires and align the front end. I should be driving it after all of that!
 

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