Just joined the club with a 73 FJ40

[Premium Concepts]

So I just became the proud owner of a 73 FJ40 and am looking to sink some of my hard earned allowance that my wife lets me stash away .

I am looking to replace the engine first as it has such a horrible exhaust leak that I feel like I am going to die from CO2 poisoning as I drive down the road. I know I could replace the headers and the exhaust and fix this, but figure I should look at dropping an EFI engine into it.

I know that I should probably put my flame retardant suit on for all the purists out there that would kick me for replacing the original 6, but I would like more power, better gas milage and am thinking this would be the best way to do it.

My question is that I have heard about most people swaping in a 350 in place of the original six, but with the new EFI, what would be the best swap? I know that I will need to update all the wiring for it to work (if there is such an interface even made). Will I need to update and upgrade the master cylinder in the change too? What is the best engine tranny combo that I could go with?

Thanks in advance for all the help and insight.

 

[fj hunter]

welcome ...

Several guys here are "purists", that is they stick to the OEM parts. I have a 3fe from a fj62 standing by for the day when my f dies, or needs new bearing again. Post up some pictures of your rig, and give us a clue on how you intend to use the vehicle in the future and there will be suggestions a plenty on what to do for you engine. Also, getting a priority list of things to do first, sort of....doing the right thing, instead of doing right things...method. Your sure to get all the help you need. If we know your ability level of mechanical work, that wouold help too. And, do you have a shop/garage that can be dedicatied as a work area?

Either way, welcome to the mud.

Since I dont know your experience level, here are a few of the things that stumped me back at the beginning.

OEM is Original Equipment Manufacture and refers to parts that come from the factory, or from a parts vehicle.

PM, means private message me...right click on individuals name and a pop up provides a choice.

PO means previous owner, refers to something on your rig you want to give credit to or take away from the previous owner.

FF/SF Differientials, means Free Floating, and Semi-floating...fronts with hubs are always free floating, and rears maybe either. you'll figure that out soon enough. basically refers to where the weight of the vehicle rides, either fully on the axle, partly on the axle, or not on the axle at all.

DD means Daily Driver...

SOA/SUA means springs mounted over or under axle...

A selectable locker is a device that is installed into your differential that locks both axles when engaged. these are refered to as OBA Lockers, or ARB Lockers and use Air built into the engine or 12 volt air system to work. others use cables and are called cable lockers.

A full time locker is simular, but when taking a corner, the wheel traveling the (least distance as i understand it now) with the lower torque will slip. these are called Powertrax, Aussie, or Detroit, or you find a vendor and they may have thier own name for thier locker.

A third member is not a lower class ih8mud individual, but the unboltable portion of the differiential that is shaped like a large cone, which is refered to as the pumpkin, or basket ball, or pick something elegant to surprise the men and women of ih8mud. your drive line connects there through the universal joints (U-joints).

Your vehicle is seriel numbered and that number will tell what month your vehicle left the factory line. Like, fj40 34567, which according to the factory list would have left the line in month 4 of 1965 making this make believe vehicle a fj40-4/65. they wont tell you this, they just expect you to know it.

also, should you happen upon a stock engine, it will have a machined tab on the passenger side of the block with a letter and number which provides the apporiate info on the engine as well. if the engine has only f, or 2f, on the tab of the block, it is a factory replacement block.

These last two are of significant importance since the monthly changes in installed modifications at the factory will determine which door/windows/bearings/whatever you may need to find out about for your vehicle here on the ih8mud site.

I was clueless for quite a while as they ole boys slammed me with lots of clues that I could not understand. but, i got it after a few weeks.

You are free to PM me for questions that need researched and i will be glad to look them up for you. Posting a picture will be much easier if the pictures are resized to a small format, and will be espically helpful to those who can just look and say what the part/problem/fix needds to be. Wow, they are really good there. Welcome to the blog...

 

[John Smith]

So I just became the proud owner of a 73 FJ40 and am looking to sink some of my hard earned allowance that my wife lets me stash away .

I am looking to replace the engine first as it has such a horrible exhaust leak that I feel like I am going to die from CO2 poisoning as I drive down the road. I know I could replace the headers and the exhaust and fix this, but figure I should look at dropping an EFI engine into it.

I know that I should probably put my flame retardant suit on for all the purists out there that would kick me for replacing the original 6, but I would like more power, better gas milage and am thinking this would be the best way to do it.

My question is that I have heard about most people swaping in a 350 in place of the original six, but with the new EFI, what would be the best swap? I know that I will need to update all the wiring for it to work (if there is such an interface even made). Will I need to update and upgrade the master cylinder in the change too? What is the best engine tranny combo that I could go with?

Thanks in advance for all the help and insight.

Welcome! My first piece of advice is to just drive the truck and enjoy it before you tear into it. Change the fluids and check over the truck to base line everything. Read the FAQ section here and start reading build threads. After a few months you will be much more informed to make decisions on what route you may want to take with the truck.

Many people think they have an exhaust leak because they are not used to smelling the exhaust from a non emissions vehicle. Even tuned properly, without a CAT, these trucks produce lots of unburned HC which most are not used to smelling.

Enjoy your new truck!

 

[71 redwood]

welcome

welcome 2 mud

 

[Premium Concepts]

I knew I had found the right spot to get help.

I am responding to a couple of questions to help give an idea of what I am looking to do.

I will definitely be using her as a DD. with occasional side trips into the mud and fields when the opportunity arises and the liquid courage is flowing.

I currently have a 74 Bronco that is carb driven so I understand the amount of exhaust and smell that I should expect, and this FJ40 is WAY more than should be coming out. Almost if someone took the heater vent and attached it straight to the headers.

I have done quite a few rebuilds in the past, a 64.5 mustang, the 74 bronco, and a 70 chevelle so I have the scars and busted knuckles to know what I shouldn't touch and what I should. No where near an ASE tech cert knowledge, but I can sure break stuff well enough to keep them in business.

I have a full garage space set up for this girl, and expect to be doing quite a bit to her over the years, but need her to be able to be driven after each modification/upgrade.

With the economy, my belt is tight so I don't have a ton of cash to throw at her, but I would love to do the right things in the right process.

These answers may have created more questions than they solved, but just wanted to put it out there.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[propilot]

Welcome! Ditto on the drive and enjoy your rig before tearing it apart. No matter what shape they are in they are a blast.

 

[sls019]

Welcome! sounds like you have the prior mechanical experience to make good work of this truck. You have also made the right choice for help and reference. The guys on Mud are very helpful. Enjoy the ride! Post pics please.

 

[bsmith123]

welcome

Welcome to MUD

Jim Downey of downey off road has a SBC conversion guide also check the FAQs and the TECH Links for a lot of info

just have a read through some of the build posts and you will get the idea of what most people are doing

 

[Texx]

No need to write a book here, if you're replacing the engine over an exhaust leak, I'd hate like hell to see what you do if you have a flat! Seriously, forget about improving the mileage, look at the shape of the truck. Too much like the box it came in. Financially, it'd never pay out for that reason. You wanna swap, swap, but don't kid yourself.

 

[Trollhole]

We need some pics.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

No need to write a book here, if you're replacing the engine over an exhaust leak, I'd hate like hell to see what you do if you have a flat! Seriously, forget about improving the mileage, look at the shape of the truck. Too much like the box it came in. Financially, it'd never pay out for that reason. You wanna swap, swap, but don't kid yourself.

That was the first thing I thought when I heard exhaust leak . What would he do if the clutch was going? I'm guessing a 5sp conversion for that one. Seriously though, if you've worked/ owned the vehicles you stated LC's will be an easy adjustment. The stock six is a great motor, and if it's running now just check the compression. If it's good I would replace the exhaust gasket and worst case scenario buy a new header. You can use some of your cabbage for suspension/cage/bumpers/steering/lockers etc. and hold off on the motor swap.

 

[Premium Concepts]

LOL, well when it had a flat I put a new suspension and redid the electrical on it. Thought that would fix it.

Seriously though, I intended to swap the engine anyway and was thinking that the best way to go was EFI. After seeing what it takes to put one in, I am seriously reconsidering this move... but I might just do it to keep everyone shaking their heads. I knew my flame retardant suit would come in handy. LOL

Primarily I wanted to hear input as to what people were using as the swap motor and what was really involved in that process. Thanks bsmith123 for the point in the right direction.

 

[thecrazygreek]

Ramjet 350 Crate with an l465e. shwing!
Just put a "Toyota" sticker on it. Knowone will know the difference.

 

[cruiser enthuiser]

x2 on the pics! Isn't there something in the Mud by-laws that says, "All introductory threads shall be accompanied by a minimum of two (2) photos of posters rig." I'm pretty sure there is. If not there should be.


Congrats on your new 40! My personal choice for EFI was GM TBI because of cost and practicality - already had a SBC in mine. Indeed tho, any EFI set-up will come with it's challenges. I intend to keep mine for a long time and can afford to be patient and work thru any issues.