Carbs, carbs, carbs, and one more carb

[Goldbug]

I'm 2 weeks into FJ40 ownership now, and trying to sort through some mechanicals. This is my most legit automotive adventure, so learning as I go. It's a 1978 that came with two engines and 4 carbs! The PO swapped out the original 2F for an F or F1.5 from an iron pig that he had rebuilt. He thought they were the same size apparently until the shop told him his 3.9L was ready. He always had carb problems, so installed "something from China I'd heard good things about". Maybe a Trollhole? I also have the original Aisan carb, a 2nd Aisan that's nearly identical that I assume is from the engine donor rig, and then a 3rd Aisan that doesn't quite match.

I'd like to put one of them back on after rebuilding it or having someone rebuild it for me. Currently, the truck is hard to start, requiring pumping the gas a good bit, and diesels every time when i turn off the ignition, also runs rich, with a high idle and very gassy. The old aftermarket choke cable is nearly stuck, so that's on the list too. I don't expect a carb swap to fix all my problems, but am thinking I will tackle one section at a time, starting here and perhaps a new choke cable.

Thoughts on which to keep, should I rebuild myself? Sell the other 2 or 3 to finance the professional rebuild of the best one? I'm worried they're missing parts.

I'm going to be rebuilding the wheel cylinders as soon as the parts come in and don't really want to rebuild the carb myself, but could. Reached out to Jim and Mark, waiting to hear back from Mark after sending him pics, but crickets from Jim. I assume he's busy.

Thanks all

Carbs 6.jpeg

• Goldbug
• May 20, 2020

Carbs 5

• Goldbug
• May 20, 2020

Carb 1.jpeg

• Goldbug
• May 20, 2020

Carb 2.jpeg

• Goldbug
• May 20, 2020

 

[Goldbug]

Pic of carb currently installed :

 

[Goldbug]

clearer:

 

[Toyo_Judson]

4 carbs and 2 engines is a good problem to have... lol.

 

[tls3601]

Carb on far right appears to be original Aisin for a 1978. If you don’t use, any interest in selling? Thanks. Tom

 

[Goldbug]

Yes, would be interested in selling, but not the original one. Sorry. One in the middle is nearly identical to the one on the right.

 

[spotcruiser]

Look at the date codes on top front air horn. The one installed on the engine only has one fuel line (no return), so that's not original.

Borrowed from Jim C: The format is Y M DD. Y is the last digit of the year (4=1964,1974,1984...), M is a letter of the alphabet corresponding sequentially to the month (A=jan, B=feb,...), and DD is the numeric day of the month.

 

[Goldbug]

Look at the date codes on top front air horn. The one installed on the engine only has one fuel line (no return), so that's not original.

Borrowed from Jim C: The format is Y M DD. Y is the last digit of the year (4=1964,1974,1984...), M is a letter of the alphabet corresponding sequentially to the month (A=jan, B=feb,...), and DD is the numeric day of the month.

Thanks @spotcruiser, I’ll go check now. Same format as the numbers in my dogs ears (weird greyhound thing).

 

[Goldbug]

So if I’m reading this right, I’ve got a ‘73, ‘74 and a ‘76 for a 1978 vehicle? Either I’ve got my codes wrong, none of them are original, or they put two year old carbs on them?

 

[spotcruiser]

Yep, looks like none of them are original. I think that's not unusual. People tend to blame the carb when a truck isn't running well, especially trucks from the mid-70s that had so much smog gear added to and then perhaps removed from the engines. Jim C can identify the best of the units that you have or suggest a different model to rebuild. @FJ40Jim

Just reread the earlier posts and noticed that this is not the original engine in the truck. What's the engine serial number?

So if I’m reading this right, I’ve got a ‘73, ‘74 and a ‘76 for a 1978 vehicle? Either I’ve got my codes wrong, none of them are original, or they put two year old carbs on them?

View attachment 2314641

 

[Goldbug]

Looks like the motor number is F 512540.

Now I wonder if I’m being like every PO and swapping out the carb to fix my problems..

 

[spotcruiser]

That's somewhere around September or October of 1973 (the list is not complete), so the September 1973 carb might be the original. It doesn't really matter what carb is in the truck as long as it works well and you're happy with it.

Looks like the motor number is F 512540.

 

[Cbpmike]

Ok as right now I am on the same boat. I am trying to rebuild the one in I have but I brlieve probably will need to get another one. my fj is a 1973 with engine numbers on 51xxx. please let me know what works. I am not sure if I should buy a another carburator

 

[brownbro]

hi guys., i have an fj40 prod. date jan 1980 with carb no. 21100-61025.....no fuel return on carb.... engine block no. 61031...every thing matches...so carb could be original w/o fuel return on carb.

 

[spotcruiser]

If that's a question, yes.

Land Cruiser Carburetor Identifier (sor.com)

 

[tls3601]

The carb I mentioned would have been original for a ‘78 2F engine(original). If you have a F engine not sure if any of them are original for the 3.9L F motor. Sorry didn’t realize your rig has an F in it.

 

[tls3601]

What @spotcruiser said is really the most important thing. Unless you are a purist then originality is everything.

 

[Goldbug]

hi guys., i have an fj40 prod. date jan 1980 with carb no. 21100-61025.....no fuel return on carb.... engine block no. 61031...every thing matches...so carb could be original w/o fuel return on carb.

@brownbro, looks like you resurrected my old thread. Do you need answers?

To @spotcruiser and @tls3601 thanks very much for your assistance. As an update for me: I sent Jim C the two newest carbs over the summer and he took the best parts, did his thing and sent me back one that was totally redone and the other that was now cannibalized. When I put it in, @vfrer and I were convinced the motor would just purr.

It didn't.

But, we did the timing, put in a pertronix electronic ignition and now it does purr. It's great and I have zero carb problems.