Decision Time - Am I Ready For A Frame Off Restoration (6 Viewers)

TCSTARK · Oct 12, 2013

HA! My thread is a 'what not to do' service announcement. I have been watching you tear stuff apart and rebuild it... Sent by my fancy IOS 7 IPhone

Vae Victus · Oct 12, 2013

TCSTARK said:
HA! My thread is a 'what not to do' service announcement. I have been watching you tear stuff apart and rebuild it... Sent by my fancy IOS 7 IPhone

Oh, yea, I'm good at tearing it apart. Jury's out on the "rebuild it" part. At least I finally understand my childhood where I took everything apart. You are doing it smart, even to the point of stopping in the middle to get a better base vehicle. Gotta respect that.

TCSTARK · Oct 18, 2013

Things are rolling full speed ahead...

Drive shafts: a new set of Tom Woods drive shafts have been ordered. Single CV in the front and Double Cardan in the rear. They were pricey but I rather spend the money once and be done with it.

Radiator: I am looking at aluminum radiator options that will eliminate any cooling issues before they happen. I am pricing out Champion 4 row set up with an electrical fan and shroud. There are plenary of threads pointing me in this direction so why reinvent the wheel.

Clutch: Matt and I decided to swap out the existing clutch and pressure plate with the 11in low profile clutch/pressure plate I have in my parts stash. The 'do it right the first time' mantra is playing in my head. Sure, we can play around with a brake master swap out and tinker with the the clutch fork to maximize engagement/disengagement of the pressure plate.

Howell Harness - I just need to finish up wiring the new gauges to the engine and then go through the Howell electrical to call it a day.

At this point I will be sending the rig to my mechanics shop so we can lift it up and swap out the clutch. Then driveshafts installed and exhaust built out. It is getting close to the first start up of the engine. Sweet!!!

Sent by my fancy IOS 7 IPhone

Vae Victus · Oct 18, 2013

Chris,
I was reading a thread where someone was having cooling troubles with an electric fan.... I'll look for it in case it gives you more info.

TCSTARK · Oct 24, 2013

Scott - thanks for planting the seed of doubt. I am now folding on my previous decision like a lawn chair. I went ahead and ordered a Champion 4 row aluminum radiator and,... the electric fan, shroud and thermostat. I will run it with the electrical fan at first but will keep the mechanical clutch driven fan if I want to go back to that set up.

It has been a busy week. I have ordered up a set of Tom Woods driveshafts. Single CV up front and a double cardan in the rear. They should be her by this weekend.

I ordered the BTB speedometer extension cable so I can add the VSS sensor. I will write up my experience when I install it.

And,.. I pulled the trigger on a parts rig. Nothing like parting out a 40 in my spare time. So far I have found a lot of interesting stuff in the few boxes I dragged home. I will get it all catalogued and ready for sale soon.

Vae Victus · Oct 24, 2013

I can't find that thread but it was a 40 I believe having cooling issues.

TCSTARK · Oct 25, 2013

A quick MUD search for V8 radiator will bring up many threads about cooling issues with a short block engine in a 40. It is pretty evenly split on the pros and cons of using an electrical fan or mechanical clutch driven fan. From what I gather it is specific to the build and the application used. How far back the engine is to the firewall seems to be a major contributor to overheating. The type of use, mall queen versus rock climber, is another contributing factor.

I go back and forth on what is the best application for my build. I figure I will try the electric fan set up first to see where my temps land and then switch back to the mechanical fan if I need to being the temps down to a lower level.

Vae Victus · Oct 25, 2013

You are on top of it.

TCSTARK · Oct 27, 2013

Where is the best place to store stuff? On your cruiser of course.... The part out of the 74 took up the majority of my weekend. Parts have been catalogued and stored. There were a few things that I held back for my own use. I installed this shiny roll bar on Bigger Blue. I also installed my new 4 row aluminum radiator. I have read several threads about needing to modify the radiator support due to the extra width of the 4 row unit. I didn't have a single issue, it dropped in without any fitment issues. .

TCSTARK · Nov 15, 2013

So much to update,...

Bigger Blue was transported over to my mechanic's shop. Matt is going to tie up a few things that would have been difficult for this 2 banana mechanic to do in my garage.

Here is a rundown of the list of things he will be handling:

- swap out existing clutch/pressure plate with a low profile unit. I know we could have gotten the existing one to work but I prefer to do it right the first time.

- install my Tom Woods Driveshafts. I could have done this but I decided to let Matt knock it out since it is at his shop.

- inspect the Howell harness to make sure everything is getting power. He will also run the wiring for the alternator and A/C compressor as well as get the fuel pump switch sorted out.

- he will give my work a once over to ensure that everything is safely connected and torqued to spec.

Once we are ready for the initial firing up of the engine I will be heading down to shop to be part of this big moment. I am getting pretty excited for this to be done.

The final purchase for BB will be a custom exhaust system...

As some of you might know, I have just completed a three week part out of a 1974 FJ40. It was a ton of work and I am completely burnt out from my daily post office runs. I was glad to make a few bucks off of my efforts and for the most part everyone has been pleased with their purchases. I did get my first negative feedback in eBay. It stung... Anyone who purchased something from me knows I am a stand up guy and try to do the right thing. I resold some gauge parts that apparently were crap. A refunded transaction and then a flaming negative. Ouch.

Vae Victus · Nov 15, 2013

Sucks about the negative feedback. Just respond saying "Refunded, sorry. Tried to do the right thing." All you can do. That stuff bothers me too.

The photo: what is it? That's not BB is it? EDIT: I guess it is. Recognize HH's hood.

Coming to ATL next Thursday PM. 11/21. You'll be around?

Exciting that your truck is nearing completion. Enjoy the moment, and the ensuing driving.

DSRTRDR · Nov 15, 2013

TCSTARK said:
A refunded transaction and then a flaming negative. Ouch.

don't take it personal - life's too short :cheers:

and, the truck needs more different colors on the unpainted body panels :bounce:

jraj · Nov 16, 2013

TCSTARK said:
So much to update,... Bigger Blue was transported over to my mechanic's shop. Matt is going to tie up a few things that would have been difficult for this 2 banana mechanic to do in my garage. Here is a rundown of the list of things he will be handling: - swap out existing clutch/pressure plate with a low profile unit. I know we could have gotten the existing one to work but I prefer to do it right the first time. - install my Tom Woods Driveshafts. I could have done this but I decided to let Matt knock it out since it is at his shop. - inspect the Howell harness to make sure everything is getting power. He will also run the wiring for the alternator and A/C compressor as well as get the fuel pump switch sorted out. - he will give my work a once over to ensure that everything is safely connected and torqued to spec. Once we are ready for the initial firing up of the engine I will be heading down to shop to be part of this big moment. I am getting pretty excited for this to be done. The final purchase for BB will be a custom exhaust system... As some of you might know, I have just completed a three week part out of a 1974 FJ40. It was a ton of work and I am completely burnt out from my daily post office runs. I was glad to make a few bucks off of my efforts and for the most part everyone has been pleased with their purchases. I did get my first negative feedback in eBay. It stung... Anyone who purchased something from me knows I am a stand up guy and try to do the right thing. I resold some gauge parts that apparently were crap. A refunded transaction and then a flaming negative. Ouch.

Bigger Blue...nice.

jraj · Nov 16, 2013

TCSTARK said:
Where is the best place to store stuff? On your cruiser of course.... The part out of the 74 took up the majority of my weekend. Parts have been catalogued and stored. There were a few things that I held back for my own use. I installed this shiny roll bar on Bigger Blue. I also installed my new 4 row aluminum radiator. I have read several threads about needing to modify the radiator support due to the extra width of the 4 row unit. I didn't have a single issue, it dropped in without any fitment issues. .

Where did you purchase your 4-row? I need to get one for Big Blue

TCSTARK · Nov 16, 2013

It was a Champion 4 Row. It fits like a glove. I went ahead and got the electric fan and shroud but may have to make some modifications so that the fan is not too close to the engine. My mechanic advised to move it back a 1/4 inch just for safe measure in case of engine flex.

jraj · Nov 16, 2013

TCSTARK said:
It was a Champion 4 Row. It fits like a glove. I went ahead and got the electric fan and shroud but may have to make some modifications so that the fan is not too close to the engine. My mechanic advised to move it back a 1/4 inch just for safe measure in case of engine flex.

I will look one up. I need to replace my 3 row

Vae Victus · Nov 17, 2013

jraj said:
I will look one up. I need to replace my 3 row

Ordered one from CoolCruisers.com (CCOT). $410 with hoses and clamps. Not installed yet, but here's the tag:

CCOT AL 4 core radiator.

http://coolfj40.stores.yahoo.net/radfj19thru1.html

TCSTARK · Nov 17, 2013

That is a great price. I was all in for around $550 with the electric fan and shroud.I am not sure why I didn't even look at CCOT. Hmmm.

TCSTARK · Jan 5, 2014

Well, the holidays are behind us now so I figure it is time to give an update on Bigger Blue's progress.

We confirmed that a high profile clutch pressure was installed by the previous owner. I opted to install a low profile unit and be done with it.

Centerforce Low Profile unit

Installed and centered.

Replaced transfercase gaskets while it was taken apart.

Another gasket that was oilsoaked so itwas replaced.

Tom Woods driveshafts. The stock driveshaft bolts didn't fit. TW technician advised to ream out the holes...

Front driveshaft installed.

Rear driveshaft installed.

Front passenger side knuckle bearing damaged by yours truly when I tried to install a crossover arm. New bearings, race and gaskets ordered.

Waiting on knuckle stud kits.

Auxiliary tank switch wired up.I need to decide where to have it installed.

Tank switch wired to auxiliary fuse panel.

Reworked oil dipstick bracket to clear battery tray.

Pulled water pump to find out that no gasket was installed.

Timing cover bolt missing. Replacement installed.

Fuel lines from throttle body rerouted to avoid being too close to manifold. The fuel filter prior to TBI was removed since I already have one filter after each tank.

Fuel pressure gauge relocated.

Water pump painted and fitting added.

Alternator wired up.

Alternator connection to battery

Valve covers were taken off and checked torque of head bolts, rocker arm-to-valve spring clearances and overall looks like motor has proper setup and little if no sludge buildup to speak of. These are all good things! Also soaked valvetrain with Assembly Lube.