Build Adding an FJ60 to the family - Bleu (Sold as of 6/2020)

[Hojack]

These 60s are built for snowy Mtn roads. Got me up to the Mtn for skiing and winter backcountry trips every time.

 

[city cruiser]

Sounds like a pretty awesome spousal unit. Hold on to that one!

 

[SkiLyft]

Sounds like a pretty awesome spousal unit. Hold on to that one!

Cheers to that!! She comes from a family of LC enthusiasts — don’t plan on letting her run off!

 

[SkiLyft]

Went skiing today — on September 30th!! Well rather made squiggles in dense cream cheese!
Doggo was stoked.

 

[Hojack]

Did you go to Mt. Spokane or 49 Degrees North?

 

[SkiLyft]

Did you go to Mt. Spokane or 49 Degrees North?

Went up to Mt Spokane - still have yet to ski there while lifts are turning! Silver is too convenient being just down the highway.

 

[SkiLyft]

Nothing too exciting —

A fresh 8qts of Quakerstate Synthetic 10W-30. This was our first oil change together and holy sh!t oil comes out QUICK.

No clue what the PO was using but running a bit quieter even with a lighter viscosity oil! I went with 10/30 as only have a 10 min drive to work and we are heading into winter.

Time to look for leaks - just in case the PO had molasses in there to prevent them.

 

[Hojack]

IDK if I’d run synthetic, I ran 10w-30 conventional year round but doesn’t get nearly as cold as Spokane. I’d think that 10W-30 synthetic wouldn’t be the best choice. Many guys run 15w-40 in there 60s.

 

[SkiLyft]

IDK if I’d run synthetic, I ran 10w-30 conventional year round but doesn’t get nearly as cold as Spokane. I’d think that 10W-30 synthetic wouldn’t be the best choice. Many guys run 15w-40 in there 60s.

Exactly why I posted up — mainly to get feedback. And I know, opinions are like assholes yada yada.

Does synthetic perform poorly at freezing?

 

[Hojack]

Spokane has a crazy winter climate. It can be mild and then hammered by sub 0F weather. I think 10-30 is a good choice as it can be mild. If it’s a cold one then 5W-30 would work. I’m just don’t think synthetic is a good choice. With the huge fluctuations in temperature you may start to see oil leaks.

 

[SkiLyft]

Ahh makes sense — I need to research synthetic vs non a bit more.

 

[SkiLyft]

Spent the morning working on Bleu —

Have been noticing a leak on the front drive shaft where it meets up with the 3rd so decided to swap out the pinion seal to see if that helped. Pieces together several write ups between the 60’s and 80’s forums.

Couple things.
- purchased kit off SOR
- used 2” PVC coupler to reapply the new seal
- torqued the flange nut to 180 ft/lbs

Easy 1.5 job

 

[SkiLyft]

New belts form SOR today—

AC and Smog pump fit fine but for the life of me could not get the Alternator belt on. Even with the alternator completely maxed (was touching the engine block) no dice.

Just emailed SOR to see if it was the correct belt.

In other news 10W-30 is now leaking from the oil pan. Gonna try and tighten it down — if that doesn’t work she’s getting a new gasket.

 

[Hojack]

That oil pan gasket leak could be related to the change to full synthetic. You could prolly change back to conventional and it would stop leaking.

 

[SkiLyft]

That oil pan gasket leak could be related to the change to full synthetic. You could prolly change back to conventional and it would stop leaking.

I guess my question is — if it’s leaking and switching to conventional simply slows that leak. Shouldn’t I still fix it? HA.

 

[Hojack]

Synthetic molecules are the same size where conventional is varied. I’d switch and then see if it continues to leak. Chances are if it didn’t before and it started since changing to synthetic, if you switch back it’ll prolly stop.

 

[SkiLyft]

Washed her up and took her out for a photoshoot.

 

[SkiLyft]

Great news — finally in good light I was inspecting the seal to prep for replacement and I noticed bubbles from the rim above the seal. They actually were coming from this screw.

I reached up and she was finger loose!! Cranked her down and oil leak is no more. Granted I’ll keep checking but stoked at the moment.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Oils today do not have much zinc additive which is needed for our cruisers. Helps with minimizing cam wear etc. I always add some when doing an oil change. About 1/2 quart.

 

[Borrego]

Just read your story! Great find, that is a very nice looking 60! You guys have good choices in vehicles... My wife drives a 100 and I have a 60 as well (mine is currenlty torn down to the block rebuilding everything! not my DD) .

We're in Coeur D Alene, we should get together sometime and talk cruisers.

Here's where I'm at with my rebuild. I haven't updated it in a little bit. I have a new head on it now.
60-Series Revitalization and Backstory (pic heavy)

Cheers
Eric