Desmog Spaghetti Piping Question

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BigRiggs

BigRiggs

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10 Year 15 Year
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Location
BS MO
I'm in the middle of my desmog and after many searches I decided to start a new thread.

Can I remove the driver's side bolt on the thermostat housing to remove the metal spaghetti piping without comprising the gasket/ leaking coolant fluid? I have a lot of projects going on at once, and I'd rather not add new gaskets and thermostat to the list since they are fine right now.

Also, will I loose a lot of coolant replacing the pink BVSV to replace with the plug, or is that usually below the coolant level? Did you use any type of Teflon tape or dope before installing the plug?

Lastly, I've emailed Jim C and tried to message here, it says that I "may not start a conversation with" him and I'm trying not to take it personally ;). I want to get my distributor recurved. Do I send it and wait for a bill or do I pay a set amount upfront? I know he is busy but I don't want to assume and searches haven't turned up anything definitive.

Thank you

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Not sure about the tstat housing... as mine never had that vacuum line holder. I would imagine tho if you open one bolt, you will lose coolant. Doubtful it would be a ton but it'll be a cup or two since it does go up and into the curved hose to the facing left side.
Regarding the bvsv, you will lose some but if you quick it won't be much. No teflon tape per what JimC stated on the same sort of screw in connection (temperature sender). I swapped out mine and did not use tape but beware it's soft and you don't need to twist it in deep or you'll round out the edges w/ a wrench.
And regarding getting JimCs attention... @FJ40Jim? He's pretty busy but I think it depends on his workload on how quick he is able to respond. @CaptClose, Ryan had a relatively painless quick back and forth w/ him for something right?
GL, hope I could help.
Felicity
 
I drove my desmogged 60 for 6 months before I got the dizzy recurved.
 
NeverGiveUpYota said:
And regarding getting JimCs attention... @FJ40Jim? He's pretty busy but I think it depends on his workload on how quick he is able to respond. @CaptClose, Ryan had a relatively painless quick back and forth w/ him for something right?
GL, hope I could help.
Felicity
Click to expand...

Doing business with @FJ40Jim is easy and he is lighting fast with shipping in-stock items. For service work like dizzys and carbs, you'll have to wait a few weeks, but you'll be happy you did.

The process is simple. Do not attempt to communicate with him, it's fruitless. Simply mail him your dizzy or carb. Send him a note with what you want and give him all the details of your rig and how you use it.

Send the money, up front,to his PayPal account (fj40jim at gmail dot com) and then wait. Don't worry, he won't rip you off. His reputation is as stellar as his craftsmanship.

While you wait, work on the other things that your cruiser requires... do your knuckles, replace that manifold gasket, swap in that 5-speed, replace the oil pan gasket, whatever you've been putting off. Before you know it, Jim will have your carb or dizzy back in your hands. All without ever speaking to him.
 
You can remove that bolt on the t-stat housing that also holds the spaghetti retaining tab and then replace it without it leaking in the future. I've done it a few times. Be quick. It'll dribble a bit. You might lose a pint of coolant if you unscrew a BVSV when the cooling system is full. Definitely use thread sealant on the new BVSV threads.
 
@CaptClose did you use thread sealant on your bvsv install?
 
Jim's response when I asked him whether the BVSV plug should be teflon wrapped:

"Put teflon paste pipe dope on the plugs going into water. It will lubricate the thread, allowing it to thread in a little deeper & seal better."

I followed this advice and have not had any issues.

A bit of coolant will come out - just catch it and dispose of it, and refill to proper level.



He recurved my dizzy and it's been great, fyi. Prior to this I drove around for a few months before the recurve but had to retard the timing to reduce pinging. His recurve fixed this.
 
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BigRiggs said:
Can I remove the driver's side bolt on the thermostat housing to remove the metal spaghetti piping without comprising the gasket/ leaking coolant fluid?

Yes, the only problem might be the bolt itself is corroded in place. If the bolt can be removed, then remove spaghetti pipe & slather bolt with anti-seez and reinstall. NBD.

Also, will I loose a lot of coolant replacing the pink BVSV to replace with the plug, or is that usually below the coolant level?

It is below water, but if you're quick, very little water will be lost. Engine should be cold, pop rad cap to vent any pressure, then retighten cap before doing the work.

Did you use any type of Teflon tape or dope before installing the plug?

Pipe dope type liquid sealant is preferred there over tape, because tight tolerances.

Lastly, I've emailed Jim C and tried to message here, it says that I "may not start a conversation with" him and I'm trying not to take it personally ;).

Do not take it personally. He's some kind of automotive savant/ social retard who talks to Land Cruisers, but not people.

I want to get my distributor recurved. Do I send it and wait for a bill or do I pay a set amount upfront? I know he is busy but I don't want to assume and searches haven't turned up anything definitive.

Send it to the mailing address on the TLCperformance webpage.
include a note with info on the Cruiser (desmogged FJ60, lives at 23000 feet above sea level, used for drag racing, whatever...) and contact info. If the dissy is serviceable, you'll get an estimate. If not serviceable, it will be returned, no charge.

Thank you
Click to expand...

CaptClose said:
Doing business with @FJ40Jim is easy and he is lighting fast with shipping in-stock items. For service work like dizzys and carbs, you'll have to wait a few weeks, but you'll be happy you did.
The process is simple. Do not attempt to communicate with him, it's fruitless. Simply mail him your dizzy or carb. Send him a note with what you want and give him all the details of your rig and how you use it. Before you know it, Jim will have your carb or dizzy back in your hands. All without ever speaking to him.
Click to expand...

I did not pay this guy to say this, but maybe I should have.

The wizard has spoken, now I return to my laboratory. Good night.
 
Thank you everyone! I did everything that Jim said above: the radiator was full and with the cap on I pulled the pink BVSV, ready with Jim's plug with Permatex High Temperature Thread Sealant on it to stop the flow. I then pulled the spaghetti and it trickled too but altogether I bet I lost 1 cup or so of coolant. Hopefully after the desmog is done and I start it up the thermostat housing gasket still holds coolant.

@FJ40Jim my carb and dizzy are on the way. I packed them in a 5 gallon bucket and then inside a box, you'll know mine by the crumpled, colorful construction paper for cushioning :grinpimp:.
 
Distributor = dizzy

I have not recurved either of mine(yet) or retard the timing, i just run premium.

ward93 said:
ok what is a dizzy?
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