Introduction and beginning of a (super slow) build thread (1 Viewer)

[Chad717]

Hi all,

I have asked several questions, and read a ton on here, but I thought I would do a quick introduction/build thread . This forum has been invaluable in the short time I have been on here so I look forward to learning and maybe passing on as much as I can.

I grabbed this clean but faded paint 1985 FJ60 last month.

It has faded paint, but very little rust and it starts right up every time. However, it has an intermittent stumbling problem, a pretty good oil leak, and it did not pass Colorado emissions. These are my immediate items to fix, and I have mentioned these in other posts on here. I have lots of goals for this truck and I am excited to have a solid platform to start with. I really just want a reliable cruiser for traveling and basic overlanding/camping. I really like how the 2f runs, but it does have 200k miles on it, and I live in Colorado, so in my mind I'm thinking a rebuild and a fuel injection kit. I like the thought of an LS swap, but I also like keeping it semi stock, and I don't mind life in the slow lane. In my mind here is my immediate plans after fixing the current problems.

-oil galley plug fix
-new distributor
-OME lift
-frame clean up maybe POR it?
-aftermarket bumpers and roof rack
-H55f swap?
-fuel injection kit


These will probably change but it is a start.

 

[Chad717]

So I started by using the FSM to walk through the Air Injection system, since I failed emissions with high co and hc. Everything seemed to work, but the PO had installed a non oem air pump, so I'm not sure it is pumping enough air, I am also curious about the CAT.

I really think the stumbling issue is a carb problem so I ordered a rebuild kit, but I have never rebuilt a carb before, and my immediate idea was to keep the truck running in case i needed to move it, so I bought a practice carb from a mud member. I started rebuilding it today and I ran into my first problem. I can't get the accelerator pump? (i think thats what it is) out. Any tips? I was thinking there might be somewhere i can blow compressed air to pop it out. I am also having trouble getting the "small ball" out of the "big hole" beside the accelerator pump...I got the little clip out, but not the ball.

 

[Chad717]

I am also tackling the oil leak, starting with the oil pan gasket...man it is tough getting the oil pan off!! Thanks to lots of input I spent some time working on the passenger side of the oil pan with a strong putty knife. I was able to get most of the passenger side to where I could slide in the putty knife easily, but the thing still wouldn't budge. I now have a bottle jack with a 2x4 on the pan and I'm leaving it overnight.

So that's the first two projects I have started...I am not an experienced mechanic, but I don't mind trying stuff and I like working on things. I really appreciate the knowledge base here and the helpful answers I have received so far, really excited to be part of the cruiser community.

chad

 

[Garrissey]

Hey man, good job so far.

I didn't bother with my carb, as there's a bazillion pieces, and as desperate as I was to get my Peaches rolling, I just paid to have it rebuilt. I did, however, get my oil pan off after a brief battle. The secret is the oil pan is being held up by the tranny guard, and those bolts need to be removed, in order to fanagle the oil pan out. I apologize for the lack of illustration, however if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[rrv333]

Hey man, good job so far.

I didn't bother with my carb, as there's a bazillion pieces, and as desperate as I was to get my Peaches rolling, I just paid to have it rebuilt. I did, however, get my oil pan off after a brief battle. The secret is the oil pan is being held up by the tranny guard, and those bolts need to be removed, in order to fanagle the oil pan out. I apologize for the lack of illustration, however if I can do it, anyone can.

Peaches, great name for a cruiser!

OP, welcome to Mud!

 

[Chad717]

Garrissey I did get the clutch cover off, the oil pan is coming off, just very slowly! Anybody have any tips on how to get the accelerator pump out of the carb?

 

[gilamonster]

Try looking at the video on post on this page

How To Videos Thread

It's been a few years, but I thought mine came right out when I took the top cover off.

 

[Chad717]

@gilamonster yeah that's the problem, it should fall out when you take the top cover off, mine isn't.

 

[Chad717]

I did finally get the oil pan off using the old bottle jack against the frame method! Now I am just cleaning off all the old gasket.

I had no idea that the lip of the oil pan had the little indentations in it between the bolt holes. It seems like whoever did the oil pan gasket last filled these in with the sealant, which is making it a pain for me to clean out. I'm assuming that since the FSM says to put sealant only in the corners and on the main bearing caps that these indentations seal somehow with the cork gasket. Am I right? I was gonna try and not throw sealant where I don't need it.

 

[ROBsSON]

Congrats on the find looks like a sweet truck! I did my first carb rebuild about a year ago and followed along with pinhead's videos on YouTube super helpful and made it much easier. I did the oil pan gasket and just got an aftermarket one that came in 4 pieces I will say 100% the OEM gasket is worth it because it's a solid one piece and from what I've read much easier to keep in place.

 

[Chad717]

Ok I know it has been forever, but I got the carb rebuilt ( on my own) and miracle of all miracles I put it back on the truck and it starts up and runs. I am in the process of tuning and I am learning about the lean drop method, however I am also interested in checking vacuum.

I have a vacuum gauge, where does everyone hook it up to get a reading? Also I am at 6500 ft elevation.

Oh I also got the oil pan and gasket back on the truck as well. No leaks!


TIA

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Hook it up at the small port that the booster hooks to as well. It’s finned and on the firewall side of the manifold.
Congrats on the carb rebuild. Great accomplishment!

 

[Chad717]

Thanks so much @NeverGiveUpYota. Next on the list is the galley plug fix while I got the air cleaner and everything off. Fingers crossed I can pull it off.​

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

It’s pretty straight forward. I did mine while I had the head off. Just be sure to do the zip tie w/ oily fabric pushed down into the bolt hole to catch any little bits.

 

[Jaric00n]

No need to rush with these cruisers ^^

Good luck on the work

 

[joebattle1]

Great idea on buying the 2nd "practice carb". Mine needs a rebuild and I'm scared to death to take it on. This takes all that fear out. I'm doing my oil pan gasket this week as well as taking my transfer case down. I guess I need to look into this bottle jack method you speak of. Can you elaborate or share a link?

Great looking rig. Way to get after it.

 

[Chad717]

@joebattle1 sure! I was definitely a little confused by the bottle jack method because the only bottle jack I had was a pump bottle jack and it wouldn't work on its side. My FJ60 did not have the original bottle jack with it. So a friendly mud member pointed me towards a Toyota bottle jack such as this one on ebay Toyota Tacoma Land Cruiser FJ60 Bottle spare tire Jack 2000KG. OEM Toyota. | eBay The Toyota bottle jack uses a screw in and out type of motion instead of pump so it can be used sideways.

Once I got this new to me bottle jack i placed it between the passenger side frame rails and the oil pan with a block of wood, gave it several twists and the oil pan started letting go. I actually wasn't happy in the end with the condition of the top of my oil pan after I cleaned it off, so I ended up ordering a new pan and installing that one.

As others have said, pinheads carb rebuild videos on youtube are invaluable along with the FSM and my carb rebuild went pretty smooth. I still need to tune the carb, but before I put the aircleaner assembly back on I am attempting the oil galley plug fix.

 

[joebattle1]

@joebattle1 sure! I was definitely a little confused by the bottle jack method because the only bottle jack I had was a pump bottle jack and it wouldn't work on its side. My FJ60 did not have the original bottle jack with it. So a friendly mud member pointed me towards a Toyota bottle jack such as this one on ebay Toyota Tacoma Land Cruiser FJ60 Bottle spare tire Jack 2000KG. OEM Toyota. | eBay The Toyota bottle jack uses a screw in and out type of motion instead of pump so it can be used sideways.

Once I got this new to me bottle jack i placed it between the passenger side frame rails and the oil pan with a block of wood, gave it several twists and the oil pan started letting go. I actually wasn't happy in the end with the condition of the top of my oil pan after I cleaned it off, so I ended up ordering a new pan and installing that one.

As others have said, pinheads carb rebuild videos on youtube are invaluable along with the FSM and my carb rebuild went pretty smooth. I still need to tune the carb, but before I put the aircleaner assembly back on I am attempting the oil galley plug fix.

Thanks @Chad717. I do in fact have that bottle jack. So you push the pan side ways not down huh? Yea, I was debating buying a fresh one as well. Although I'm always on the fence on buying motor parts as I really want an LS in my rig in the next couple of years. I recently failed CA smog so I have no choice but to deal with my leaky carb. Thanks for the tips.

 

[Chad717]

Yep, sideways. Ha, i'm in the same boat I failed emissions here in Colorado, so my plan was the rebuilt carb, reman smog pump and I think I need a new Cat. If none of that works then we have an exemption for 2 years if I've spent over 700 some dollars for the fix. I've saved all my receipts, so we will see what happens. I'm awfully tempted by an LS swap as well, but I like going slow haha.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

@joebattle1 i have to chuckle... your scared to do a carb but you’ll be taking the tcase down?
It’s interesting the things that get us eh? I’ve rebuilt much in my engine... gear box was first then the carb then a whole top end but the idea of pulling my tcase, oy. And it most likely needs it.
And @Chad717 my oil pan will be another I’ll be tackling sooner than later as well, prob w/ the tcase. I’ll def use my bottle jack. Another good use of the bottle jack is pressing the harmonic balancer back on as well. It’s a very handy tool. I just found a video on YouTube this AM how to make it into a press as well.
How to Build a Bottle Jack Press