cult45's 45 recovery and remobilisation (2 Viewers)

[cult45]

One issue I've always had with the clutch was either it needed priming prior to almost every shift, or I had it adjusted so there was no free play at the slave. Either was no good. When we put the new to me engine in we changed the throwout bearing pressed onto the extension tube [it's a Mark's dual bell housing arrangement] but under this pressure it began to squeal every shift. Had to get onto this stat.

I ended up replacing the master and slave but it only made a marginal difference. Then under instructions from Mark's, I started spacing the pivot out with progressively fatter washers. It started to improve a lot. Lastly, because the pax side exhaust is only 1.5" from the clutch soft line I ended up shrouding it in a 2000F radiant heat sleeve. This seems to have fixed the issue.

Lastly, this here snake oil came highly recommended. The developer has his number on the can and you can call him 7-7 7 days a week lol. So I did. On a Sunday, just to see how legit he was. He spoke to me for a good 20 mins. Apparently this stuff cleans out gunk in the oil fill hole in the lifter. Time will tell.

 

[cult45]

Took the truck for a decent drive this morning. Really happy with everything. I did the Steve Dulcich and didn't use any gasket goo on the manifold save for around the water jackets. No leaks. The only place it drips is out the mech temp sender where I used AC Delco sealant. Never again, Permatex only for this lad. I'll drop the water in a week and reseal it.

Popping on deceleration is gone. Ticking is gone after the engine warms up. Clutch works good. Haven't done comps on 1 and 3 yet. Tacho connected to MSD. All done for now. Filming to prepare for.

 

[Michael B]

That's a tidy engine bay there mate! Just the way I like 'em!! (Typed in my best OZ accent)

Happy New Year Dan!!

 

[cult45]

That's a tidy engine bay there mate! Just the way I like 'em!! (Typed in my best OZ accent)

Happy New Year Dan!!

Blood oath mate! You do love a tidy engine bay! HNY to you too Michael!

 

[Michael B]

Truth!!

 

[cult45]

Tunes.

Missus got me a bluetooth speaker for Christmas. Brand is Kreafunk agroove. Sounds Norwegian. Comes in this balsa box that I figured would make a good mounting box. The speaker itself is the green thing [is that Seafoam??], there's just grey high density foam around it. Drilled a hole in the back of the box for the charging cord and it'll charge every time the ignition is hot. Gonna charge it from one of my dual USB points hidden in the glove box. Sounds are actually pretty good, even on the highway. Don't get me wrong, it's got a helluva job to be audible in these cabs but after four years with no music it'll certainly do. Comes with free roll of electrical tape.

 

[73fj]

who doesn't like free tape?

 

[cult45]

who doesn't like free tape?

Right??

 

[cult45]

Calling all restorers - what's everyone doing for busted early window regulators? Currently doing the glass-pull-up-with-one-hand-and-wind-the-reg-with-the-other method. Its killin me!

 

[middlecalf]

Tried flipping the regulator? It will work but only open the window to about 97%.

 

[cult45]

Tried flipping the regulator? It will work but only open the window to about 97%.

As in run em upside down and on opposite sides?

 

[middlecalf]

Yes. Kind of a weird compromise but bridges the non-functioning shortfall. I had a replacement passenger regulator so I was able to use its original to replace the replacement driver’s side when it became disfunctional, as its original was disfunctional. Kind of fits my disfunctionality .

It may be annoying to some to have the crank at about knee high though.

 

[cult45]

Thanks @middlecalf but my knees are so high they're currently in line with the crank handle where it is! I can't believe they actually work once swapped. I'll be investigating this. Thanks mate!

 

[middlecalf]

Give it a try and report back. I did this 5+ years ago as I recall, I’m pretty sure it’s not fake news lol.

 

[cult45]

After nearly four years of only aftermarket gauges I decided to try getting the OEM ones working. A friend mailed me an early cluster with working gauges, so I painted the needles and threw it in with some OEM senders and some tee pieces. Temp sender yet to arrive. Replaced my cheap aftermarket gauges while I was there. Tip: to make your aftermarket gauges seem less like an add-on, paint the housings an OEM colour! Also painted the gearstick, kept the old FJ25 knob, added an $8 8 Ball for the transfer (not paying $40 for an OEM knob), redid my engine earth cable and replaced the oil pump. Somehow I think my seat needs redoing.

Next up: get temp gauge and ammeter working, paint steering column, paint seat frames, paint engine timing cover and sump, paint new-to-me window regs, paint dash. Redo seat at a date that aligns itself with surplus funding.

 

[Honger]

The way you painted those gauge bezels turned out pretty nice actually.

Yeah... your seat needs help.

 

[sneaky]

Pity you have early seats, we have a set of later ones doing nothing.

 

[cult45]

Missus is away for two weeks. Freedommm!!

Spent a couple hours at play. Painted the column. Sh!t of a job on an early truck. Also installed an OEM temp sender and wired it up along with the OEM oil pressure sender. Neither work. Sigh.

Seat still needs work. Dash needs to be painted again. Engine needs to be painted again. Steering wheel needs to be painted again. Might restore the wiper motor assy. next. Did paint my cup holders though. $5.90 hardware store rattle can holders.

 

[Kief]

Hmmmm.. I have a hard time visualizing much staying in a cup in a stock FJ but I like the cup holders.. I miss the shifting, clutch action, hit the bright switch, turn the blinker off manually and trying to hit the right switch to get wipers working in the dark.. Trying to drink a cup of tea might put me in the ditch..

 

[cult45]

Hmmmm.. I have a hard time visualizing much staying in a cup in a stock FJ but I like the cup holders.. I miss the shifting, clutch action, hit the bright switch, turn the blinker off manually and trying to hit the right switch to get wipers working in the dark.. Trying to drink a cup of tea might put me in the ditch..

See Kief, if you were caffeinated all that wouldn't be a problem!