Get my rig running

[49north]

I have a 78 fj40 that has been sitting for a few years and hasn't had too many miles put on it since purchased. My problem is the intake/exhaust manifold which is bad..the rig runs but poorly. This is an ex-kali rig and has all the extras, I used to smog it once upon a time.
This may sound like a bubba to those who are intent on original content only in cruisers, but are there any simple applications to power up this puppy. A weber, what type manifold, headers etc, something to make it simple, I have no smog obligations. It has the 2f with the kali extras and is original down to the maze of vaccum lines infesting the engine compartment.
I discovered this site a few months back and have been gleaning the faq's and such..the interest in these babies is quite amazing. My interests in 4 wheeling has flagged in recent years, mostly because where I have lived for the past 15 years requires lots of wheeling just to get to the place. Now though it is mostly subarus, rav4's and trucks to work, but hey, it's time I hauled the lc into the shop and got to work, thanks.

 

[Fast Eddy]

My opinion would be to find a later model cast iron exhaust manifold from an fj60, have it machined to match your intake, get fj40Jim to rebuild your carb, desmog, but keep your charcoal canister. You could get a header, but it will take an hour to warm up the motor, then it will heat the firewall and the floor.

Whatever you do, don't trash the CA exhaust manifold. We still need those out here. Someone will at least pay to have it shipped back here if it's not badly cracked.

If you want more power, buy a used 350 for about what you'll pay for the carb rebuild and swap it out. Get fuel injection while you're at it.

Search for "weber" and see that the prevailing opinion is that the Toyota/Aisin carb is better.

 

[flash02]

What is your reasoning for wanting more power, these inline sixes have great torque. Rebuilding a carb is not that hard, electronic ignition and a tune up will do wonders, also a 5 speed will help but that will cost you. My primary car is a 2002 Subaru WRX, it has 224 hp and moves, my 74 FJ40 has almost half that and it will cruise on the high way at 65-70 no problem. As said before if you really want lots of power pay someone $$$$$$$$$ and have a 350 dropped in but to do it right it will cost you, trust me I did a SBC on my first 40 and whish I had looked for a good six. SBC are not bad but to do the conversion right you need to spend the cash, if you are a good mechanic then go for it just make sue you do your research.

Good Luck

 

[49north]

Thanks for the replies. Fast Eddy, the info on the cast iron manifold sounds good, I will look around. I did get the impression from reading here that the original carb is a good one. I just have a chance to buy/trade for some new parts cheap, manifold, weber, electronic ignition and I always that my rig was way underpowered. It will be used for rough cow-trailing in mountainous country and a bit of wood hauling over rough terrain. It does not get much if any hyway time anymore.
I am not much of a mechanic but a pretty good r and r man who has basic skills to get a job done, and I am cheap and don't easily farm out work I or my friends can do. I have thought about a conversion but the engine only has 35k on it (I'm the original owner) and still runs decent. Back to the faq's. thanks guys.