merbesfield
SILVER Star
TCSTARK, are you happy with the Vintage A/C setup? I am restoring a 66 LV and need an A/C option.
Decision Time - Am I Ready For A Frame Off Restoration (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter TCSTARK
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Rear disk brakes are on my "never do to a 40" list. Properly adjusted drums work as good if not better than disks on the back of 40s.
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #143
It's been quite a while since my last update so here it goes; Big Blue has been running great and serving its roll as the weekend warrior. On countless occasions I have been approached by people in town striking up conversations about how they either owned a cruiser years back or how they want to buy one to build up. It kind of makes you feel like a rock star!
The local grocery store manager, Tyler, and I have become friendly. He's currently restoring a 1956 Willy with his father in law. We like to swap stories about our progress (mostly oil leak triage). I had jokingly mentioned to him that it was more fun wrenching on Big Blue than driving it. Big Blue's response; rear drum brakes decided to fail. It appears that the seals finally gave way and it started leaking brake fluid.
I did some research and decided it was time to do the rear disc conversion. The laundry list of parts was sourced on MUD and purchased: Semi loaded Calipers & Pads from Napa, Brackets & Rotors & Miscellaneous Parts from Poser (Thanks Steve!) and proportioning/residual valves & flare tool from Jegs. I will source the brake lines locally when I get to the plumbing portion of the project. I can post part numbers if asked.
So far I got the tires removed, brake shoes and hard lines removed, and rear differential drained. Today I plan on opening up the rear differential and getting the C clip removed and axles pulled. I contimplated cutting off the drum back plate but decided against it.
The project looks staright foward at this point but it is only the beginning. I am sure I will have a ton of issues and related questions.
The local grocery store manager, Tyler, and I have become friendly. He's currently restoring a 1956 Willy with his father in law. We like to swap stories about our progress (mostly oil leak triage). I had jokingly mentioned to him that it was more fun wrenching on Big Blue than driving it. Big Blue's response; rear drum brakes decided to fail. It appears that the seals finally gave way and it started leaking brake fluid.
I did some research and decided it was time to do the rear disc conversion. The laundry list of parts was sourced on MUD and purchased: Semi loaded Calipers & Pads from Napa, Brackets & Rotors & Miscellaneous Parts from Poser (Thanks Steve!) and proportioning/residual valves & flare tool from Jegs. I will source the brake lines locally when I get to the plumbing portion of the project. I can post part numbers if asked.
So far I got the tires removed, brake shoes and hard lines removed, and rear differential drained. Today I plan on opening up the rear differential and getting the C clip removed and axles pulled. I contimplated cutting off the drum back plate but decided against it.
The project looks staright foward at this point but it is only the beginning. I am sure I will have a ton of issues and related questions.
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #144
Disc Brake Conversion
Update: Here are a few pictures I snapped during the dismantle of the Drum Brakes. I have to say it was far easier than I anticipated. The only snag I have run into so far was accidently removing the two smaller gears in the rear differential. I don't think it will be too bad piecing it back together.
Update: Here are a few pictures I snapped during the dismantle of the Drum Brakes. I have to say it was far easier than I anticipated. The only snag I have run into so far was accidently removing the two smaller gears in the rear differential. I don't think it will be too bad piecing it back together.
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #146
Today's minimal effort included tossing some blue paint on the calipers and differential cover and the I painted the brackets black.
Purchases today: I bought a set of barn doors and an OCD bikini top. Gotta get ready for next summer.
Purchases today: I bought a set of barn doors and an OCD bikini top. Gotta get ready for next summer.
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X2... How's it keeping up with the heat and humidity?
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #148
The AC unit is giving me some issues right now. There is a solenoid the continually turns the system on and off when I am in 3rd or 4th gear. I may have a leak near the condensor unit or improper pressure in the system. Once I work out those kinks I will achieve constant cold air.
The unit blows ice cold in the beginning so I anticipate it being solid once I get it figured out.
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #149
I broke away from work a bit early so I could knock off a few chores and spend some uninterrupted time with the cruiser.
I was able to reinstall the rear axle shafts, reassemble the rear differential (thanks to camcruiser13 I know what a spider gear is) and start some clean up of the rear axle.
stay tuned..
I was able to reinstall the rear axle shafts, reassemble the rear differential (thanks to camcruiser13 I know what a spider gear is) and start some clean up of the rear axle.
stay tuned..
educated guess, but faulty high pressure switch, possibly. I assume this is while you are cruising in 3rd and 4th.
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #153
Are you talking about those black circular things I found in the box Poser sent me. HA! I found them yesterday and went ahead and installed them. I fully appreciate my new found knowledge of rear differentials and spiders gears but I'll pass on doing again so soon.
Thanks for looking out for me!
Here is a classic photo. My daughter found my TLCA stickers and proceeded to go out to the garage and put it on her Jamming Heep. Barbie may have owned a j**p but Ken probably owned a FJ40.
That's a good girl! Get her a bigger sticker to cover up the J**p logo!
Blue77FJ40
SILVER Star
I was thinking of in addition to that thought, that I'd also recommend installing a lunchbox locker while the axles were out, like a Powertrax no-slip or an Aussie locker.
I just cut off my backing plates rather than go through all the effort of removing the rear axles when I did my rear disc.
Nice work TCSTARK.
What gave it away? ...The part where he said "when I am in 3rd or 4th gear?"
Maybe he was on his way to 5th?
as opposed to only being in the gear for a moment. Prolonged rpms in those gears will tigger the high pressure switch.
I used to have a faulty high pressure switch on a car. I knew it was the switch and not the compressor/system, so I just jumped it with a piece of 18 guage wire.
Of course, I did this knowing that my system was fine and the switch was bad.
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #158
I used to have a faulty high pressure switch on a car. I knew it was the switch and not the compressor/system, so I just jumped it with a piece of 18 guage wire.
FJsnoozer,..The vintage air techs are thinking along the same lines but hadn't given me a way to confirm it. What are the risks to jumping the switch as a means to confirm it is the problem?
I also want to give props to camcruiser13 for his detailed write up of the rear disc conversion. His thread: in depth rear disc brake conversion
More props go to Poser for his well desgned brackets, rotors and his detailed write up. Check out his tombstone bracket placement here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/152126-rear-disc-brakes.html
The jumper is how you test to see if that is the issue. I left mine in because I knew the system was properly filled and the switch had failed.
You can try this but only momentarily in case the issue was caused by an improperly filled system. Was it fully evac'D? Did you fill it manually without proper vaccuum? This is another cause for the pressure issue.
You can try this but only momentarily in case the issue was caused by an improperly filled system. Was it fully evac'D? Did you fill it manually without proper vaccuum? This is another cause for the pressure issue.
TCSTARK
Master Debater & Cunning Linguist
- Thread starter
- #160
Weekend update.
I had a friend come over this weekend to weld the tombstone tabs to the rear axle. After that was done I installed the hard brake lines, tightened everything up and filled the differential with gear oil. I put the rear tires back for a test fit and they looked good.
Interruption #1 - My brother came over to show off his GT Mustang's new engine. When we popped the hood we noticed that his belt was being shreaded by the altenator bracket. The engine was also leaking power steering fluid. Needless to say a tow service was called.
I started cleaning up the garage when I heard a loud kaaa-booom. I swear, I thought my next door neighbor's house exploded. I peek around the corner and I saw,...
Interruption #2 - As it turns out a neighbor smashed into my mailbox. Stacked stone mailbox versus Mercedes CLK 320. Let's just say the mailbox held its own. Needless to say a second tow service had been called to my house to haul off a totalled Mercedes.
Here are some photos of what was left of my mailbox,...
I had a friend come over this weekend to weld the tombstone tabs to the rear axle. After that was done I installed the hard brake lines, tightened everything up and filled the differential with gear oil. I put the rear tires back for a test fit and they looked good.
Interruption #1 - My brother came over to show off his GT Mustang's new engine. When we popped the hood we noticed that his belt was being shreaded by the altenator bracket. The engine was also leaking power steering fluid. Needless to say a tow service was called.
I started cleaning up the garage when I heard a loud kaaa-booom. I swear, I thought my next door neighbor's house exploded. I peek around the corner and I saw,...
Interruption #2 - As it turns out a neighbor smashed into my mailbox. Stacked stone mailbox versus Mercedes CLK 320. Let's just say the mailbox held its own. Needless to say a second tow service had been called to my house to haul off a totalled Mercedes.
Here are some photos of what was left of my mailbox,...
