fj40 questions

[2fpower]

I finally started in on my fj, and I had some questions...

1. We found a bunch of rust on the piece of metal between the windshield and the black dash pad. looks like I can weld a patch into the back of it and then seam seal it.... any thoughts?

2. I wanted to try and start the motor, since I have never heard it, and could not get it to fire. I was getting a very weak spark off of the spark plug wires and (using ether) could not get fire.

My question may sound silly, but it has been a while since I played with ignition. I connected the battery positive to the resistor, and the resitor then went to the positive side of the coil, the negative side then went the distributor on the connection on the side (points). I got a spark off the plug wires, however it seamed really weak. Any thoughts what I am not doing? Or what could be wrong?

3. It appears to be a california car, any thoughts on the smog equipment? SHould I just cap off the stuff, or is there I should undo, that voodoo, that california does.... so well.

 

[trainrech]

Quick answers:

1. I don't know why not. Getting that area sealed is difficult at best. A picture would help.
2. I don't have my FSM handy, but if you search the FAQ section I'm pretty sure you can find the wiring diagrams. I haven't really wrenched on mine for a couple of years.
3. Mine came with CA smog. Smog gremlins stole it all. All you really need to save is the vacuum line from the base of the carb to the distributor as it provides vacuum assisted advance.

 

[2fpower]

Well, I figured out my issue with the ignition, I did not ground the frame of the coil holder that had the capacitor on it. Once we grounded that we had some spark. Added some fuel and we were running.

We checked the compression and we had 90-95 psi on all cylinders.

On the smog question, when we got it running, Rob found a huge exhause leak out of the exhaust manifold right above where the exhaust connection to the tail pipe where it appears some sort of spring driven thing is.... I will try to get a picture of it.... I guess my thought is to forget the manifold and add some headers. Anyone recommend any brand of headers? It also appears I need to add a plate to the bottom of the intake manifold to connect up the breather or egr or whatever it is up on the valve cover.

 

[trainrech]

I believe what you are referring to is the EGR valve. Underneath the manifold? If so, remove it and blank it off with a piece of metal.

 

[2fpower]

pictures

Here is a pic of what I have. In the middle of the pic is the "fixed" end of what appears to be a spring loaded something of other. If you can see it, the "fixed" end appears to be missing a bearing or something and the rod is just flopping around in there leaving a good leak.

Thanks.

 

[2fpower]

rust

Here is a pic of the rust under the windshield frame and really more on the piece of metal that connects the dash piece.