destins 1964 fj40 FST restore thread

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IDave said:
I found my "T" and nipple adapter in the True Value Hardware store. Any NAPA would have your spark plug gap tool. So would Sears. My hand held tachometer from Sears has a dwell setting that lets me know if the points gap is correct. I guess they still make them that way.

I would:

1) Gap the plugs: .031-.035 in.

2) Check the dwell: 38 - 44 degrees

3) Set the timing: 7 degrees BTDC at 500 RPM

4) Attach vacuum gauge and report back.

:D
Click to expand...

Thanks man :D

I do not have a tachometer with dwell settings, and have no idea how to use one hehe:D

Any ideas?

The needle and ball lined up with the timing gun ( wire on plug one ) would be 7 degrees BTDC? or would that be 7 degrees past pin and ball bearing?

Do i need a gun that has a dial for degrees? or just the flashing gun variety with no readout ( what i have )

The tachometer has the rpms right?

Saw the FSM had info on how to adjust the throttle adjustment screw and the idle adjustment screw to get the highest vacuum. I will find a hardware stores for the connectors and report back tomorrow.
 
so i need to set the points and dwell before timing?

Damn this just got a lot more difficult, I dunno how to change points, gap them or set dwell.

ugh

i wish i new more about this so I would not have to pay mechanics to do it only to have it all go wrong a day later...
 
so the dwell and point gaps are not adjusted seperately yeah?>

the point gap dictates the dwell yes?

My brother just walked me over how to file and gap the points and adjust them at the highest point and use feeler gauges over the phone, and how to hook up a cheap dwell meter, but I need to know that dialing in the point gap will dictate the dwell, or is it something separate?

If not separate, do i try to find the middle spot between gap and dwell degrees, and go from there>?

Dwell meter is connected to the battery ground and the negative of the coil yeah?
 
so this is my hit list i am assuming

1) set the gap for the points, file them and then check the dwell

2) adjust point gaps and dwell so both are in range

3) set timing 7 degrees BTDS ( does this mean when the needle and ball bearing line up? )

4) check dwell and gap afterwards?

5) check vacuum and post results here

sound good?
 
Yes, the points gap dictates how long the dwell is. The dwell is how long the spark crosses the points gap in degrees of rotation. A larger gap will make the spark dwell less, or fewer degrees.

So, file the points before you set the gap/dwell.

You are not really so interested in what the points gap is (except as a starting point) as you are the dwell. Some people just start the gap setting by using the thickness of a matchbook (generally that will get you running), then adjust to get the dwell correct.


The needle points at the ball at 7 degrees before top dead center. That's what you are aiming for.
 
If your set your points I doubt the dwell could be off enough to make it run bad...but does not hurt to do both. I just set my point gap on my 69 as I didnt have a dwell meter. And it seems to run fine. I have since picked up a dwell meter/tach at a garage sale and have yet to bother using it.
You can use the timing gun you have. The ones with a dial make it so you can check your distributor advance etc....to just set the timing yours is fine. Not sure what dissy you have if there is a vac line running to it unplug it and stick a golf tee in the line before you check/set your timing.

I'll pm you my cell #...feel free to hollar I dont know everything but your more than welcome to bouce some stuff my way.
 
fj404life said:
If your set your points I doubt the dwell could be off enough to make it run bad...but does not hurt to do both. I just set my point gap on my 69 as I didnt have a dwell meter. And it seems to run fine. I have since picked up a dwell meter/tach at a garage sale and have yet to bother using it.
You can use the timing gun you have. The ones with a dial make it so you can check your distributor advance etc....to just set the timing yours is fine. Not sure what dissy you have if there is a vac line running to it unplug it and stick a golf tee in the line before you check/set your timing.

I'll pm you my cell #...feel free to hollar I dont know everything but your more than welcome to bouce some stuff my way.
Click to expand...

awesome man thanks!

Could not do all this s*** with out ya guys

I will put your number in my mobile in the morning

Thanks :D
 
awesome have all set

1) points set to .018"

2) dwell at 39 degrees

3) timing at BTDS ( timing bearing was not even visible when i checked it crazy~!! )

4) vacuum at 18 at idle, 25+ at rev

5) gapped plugs at .032" ( waiting on new plugs, should be here mid week )

video of it running :D

YouTube - ‪P1013640‬‎

Getting the tank flushed monday and hooking it all back together.

Post some photos in a second :D

Adjusting the points and timing was easy!
thanks for the bootcamp in tune ups guys, makes life sooo much easier being able to do this s*** yourself.
Could not have done it without ya :D
 
video


YouTube - ‪P1013640‬‎


photos!

4873026759_588cb006d0_o.jpg


vacuum advance is pretty close the the dipstick, but it works :D

4873636228_bd2330269c_o.jpg


vacuum

4873635268_bfa8fcbd41_o.jpg


4873634858_b34b48d148_o.jpg


4873026317_96bdaac80c_o.jpg
 
fj404life said:
so...its running good now? Nice work tackling the tuning!
Click to expand...

thanks man, I could not have done it with out everyones help, and now I can change points etc gap s***e and set timing in my sleep :D

yeah man I think so ( sounding good i mean ):D

watch that video and listen to the motor :D

I might be able to fine tune it some more down the road :D
 
Last edited:
destin said:
awesome have all set

1) points set to .018"

2) dwell at 39 degrees

3) timing at BTDS ( timing bearing was not even visible when i checked it crazy~!! )

4) vacuum at 18 at idle, 25+ at rev

5) gapped plugs at .032" ( waiting on new plugs, should be here mid week )

video of it running :D

YouTube - ‪P1013640‬‎

Getting the tank flushed monday and hooking it all back together.

Post some photos in a second :D

Adjusting the points and timing was easy!
thanks for the bootcamp in tune ups guys, makes life sooo much easier being able to do this s*** yourself.
Could not have done it without ya :D
Click to expand...

Nice Destin.:clap: Feels good huh. You definitely need to know how to tinker with these things yourself. Plus when something does go awry in the bush you know how to get things to working again.

Key about the vacuum is that it's steady, you don't want it fluctuating too much. Looks good at 18-19
 
wesintl said:
Nice Destin.:clap: Feels good huh. You definitely need to know how to tinker with these things yourself. Plus when something does go awry in the bush you know how to get things to working again.

Key about the vacuum is that it's steady, you don't want it fluctuating too much. Looks good at 18-19
Click to expand...

Thanks man super stoked :D


And yes, knowing how to tune the beast on my own makes me super happy :D
 
Sounds good. It appears your timing was off. Maybe your clamp was loose in there and the distributor rotated and that's why things went south.
 
IDave said:
Sounds good. It appears your timing was off. Maybe your clamp was loose in there and the distributor rotated and that's why things went south.
Click to expand...

Thanks man :D

And thanks again for all your help, your info and specs were invaluable :D

Carrying timing gun, dwell meter, extra points and plugs in my toolbox now.
If anything goes wonk on the trail i can fix it in a heart beat :D

Thanks man!!!!

:D
 
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