Build Montina and The Blue Plate Special

[sogafarm]

Success! Had a few snags along the way but I managed to change out the alternator, belt, and voltage regulator. The 50 amp alternator had the wrong pulley so I switched with the original pulley. Also there was a clearance issue around the bracket so made a modification with the grinder to fit. I mistakenly took out the horn relay thinking that was the old voltage regulator at first. I couldn't understand why the size difference and then when I hooked up the neg terminal to the battery, the horns went off, lol! I trouble shooted a bit and realized that the voltage regulator was on the other side of the engine bay, DOH! Had a brain fart moment, lol. Once I figured out what I did, I had a laugh with the better half and changed out the real voltage regulator. Crank right up and purring like an old kitten now. I took Montina for a short shake down run with the lights on and she didn't die on me so success! Priced out some tires at my favorite tire place whose owner is a proud 200 series owner on some Falken AT3's and will go that route since I know they are good from my Tacoma. He said that BFG changed their compound formula and they have had problems with balancing so no go on the BFG's. They pick up gravel too easily anyway and I'm happy with the Falkens.

 

[sogafarm]

While I'm waiting for the new carb to arrive I decided to peel back the layers and see what’s underneath Montina. It was as expected with the bondo but it apparently was to fill in dents mainly with very little actual bad rust so that's good. I called up my neighbor who has a paint booth and shop for doing body work and I'm going to have him remove the old bondo and fix the dents and seal and do a repaint on the aprons down as well as the side doors and rear doors. Hood is in good shape so will leave that and the top original for now. The main goal is to get the body straight and to prevent any further rust. We will see if the front fenders are salvageable or may go with some reproductions. Would ideally like to keep it all original. I will leave the interior as is for now.

 

[sogafarm]

The ‘94 is getting jealous, need to take her out and stretch her legs, lol. I will try and figure out Montina’s carb issue when I put in the new cityracer carb. I think it may just be trash somewhere in the lines or jets. Would be a good time to send it for a rebuild. I’m not sure about if this one is original aisin or maybe a non domestic version. Also have the new tie rod ends to install and change all the 90 weight and brake fluids.

 

[sogafarm]

After trying numerous attempts to tune the carb that was on Montina with no success I’ve finally installed the cityracer carb. It was very simple to install but I have to figure out the best way to cap the fuel return line before I can fire it up. Pics coming tomorrow. I did find a rat turd in the original carb and a dead wasp. Maybe that was causing some issues. I will send the old carb out for a rebuild if there’s anyone still in that business. Does anyone know if this is a stock carb for a 1/75 fj40. It has the idle speed screw horizontally at the bottom? Haven't been able to find another pic of this location. Also what is the spark plug going into the head for?

Meantime I’ve got another 40 coming from California, a ‘79 in original condition. It’s going to the better half soon as I can get it up and running. Stay tuned…

 

[sogafarm]

I found JimC's FAQ page on carb identification. The identification markings are 4 L 20 on the front and on the top so that translates into a 1974 December, 20 build date. Montina's build date is January, 1975 so that should be the original carb. Thanks @FJ40Jim

 

[fjc-man]

Looks like someone ran out of plugs to block off the air injection nozzle passages, and stuck a spark plug in that one.

 

[sogafarm]

Looks like someone ran out of plugs to block off the air injection nozzle passages, and stuck a spark plug in that one.

That explains it. Thank you. I'm researching the proper procedures for desmog now and will attempt to correct the PO's attempts.

 

[sogafarm]

Started scraping away the melted floor rubber.

 

[sogafarm]

I’ve been searching but can’t seem to locate where the hard line coming from the bottom of the charcoal canister is supposed to go. It’s just free floating now.

 

[sogafarm]

I’ve got the cityracer carb in and it fires right up and idles ok. I took it for a short test drive up the drive way (it’s on a hill so I can coast in reverse back to the shop) and Montina starts bogging down and shuts off as soon as I get it to third gear. It’s the same problem I’ve been chasing and why I wanted to pull the old carb. I attempted to tune the carb afterwords but I’m not getting clear results. Vacuum is at 17 at best. The harbor freight centech tachometer I bought recently is less than ideal as it jumps around the numbers. I’m using the otramm video for lean drop method but not getting good results. The new carb came with the mixture screw at 1 1/2 turns out from closed which is the otramm starting point. I adjust it slightly out and nothing changes with the vacuum or tachometer reading. The idle screw is the only thing that makes a difference in vacuum and tach. I’m stumped at this point with regards to where to look next.

 

[fjc-man]

I’ve been searching but can’t seem to locate where the hard line coming from the bottom of the charcoal canister is supposed to go. It’s just free floating now.

View attachment 3458815

View attachment 3458816

View attachment 3458817

I have a 79 and I am using a non OEM canister that doesn’t have a vent line off the bottom like the original has. So I stuck the pipe in the tub support so you could see where it went. I’m including a part number (90506-16475) for the missing clutch return spring I spied in your photo.

 

[sogafarm]

I have a 79 and I am using a non OEM canister that doesn’t have a vent line off the bottom like the original has. So I stuck the pipe in the tub support so you could see where it went. I’m including a part number (90506-16475) for the missing clutch return spring I spied in your photo.View attachment 3459037View attachment 3459038

Thanks, I didn’t even know I was missing it. The clutch seems to work pretty well.

 

[sogafarm]

Bought a cheap HF compression tester to see what I was dealing with with the old 2f. First row of numbers I missed a couple of steps and the numbers were really bad. It has been a while since I’ve ran one of these tests and I forgot to pull all the plugs, cap off the fuel line, and press the accelerator down while cranking. Numbers were scary. I did some more reading and went back and ran it again with better results on line two. What a relief! Though they are not great, they are doable. Yesterday I did a valve adjustment. They were not too bad with only a few slightly out of spec so I don’t expect big changes when I run another compression test later. Oil squirters were functioning well so that was a good sign.
On another note, my fathers dog, poopoo has made a lazurus style recovery from Friday. She had collapsed and we thought we were going to have to make that final journey to the vets office. She’s 15 yo. Right before loading her up for the perilous journey, she perked up and smiled wagging her tail at me so that fatal mission was aborted and she seems to be doing fine now! She was my little assistant while working on Montina this weekend. We get some more precious time together.

 

[sogafarm]

Shortly after completing the valve adjustment I got a call from David the driver. The next project had arrived two days early. A 1979 model, California truck which has been sitting for 26 years is now a South Georgia resident. This thing is a true time capsule. Since this one will be the better half’s ride we are calling her TK Jr’s Blue Plate Special. Will have to do a lot of prelimary work before I get this one going so after lightly crashing her into the back of my Tacoma when towing her under the carport I realized brakes were one of the first things to address. Will soak the cylinders in oil for a while to get them lubed up. I will leave this one oem only and do the patina treatment with clr and see how she shines up. Interior is in fantastic shape. Only major rust is drivers floor pan.

 

[sogafarm]

Washed and CLR’ed the blue plate special. Amazing how complete this rig is, everything is there especially all the spaghetti smog hoses and plastic valves Interior is in great shape and she even has an uncracked dash pad. Underpinnings only have mild surface rust in a few spots. Will have to address the driver floor pan at some point. I’m going all original on this one. I’ll have Montina to do a few mods for a fun driver. I drained her tank and found out the hard way that the sending unit wasn’t working, 10 gallons came rushing out. I had to scramble extra containers quickly to catch it all. Have a new oem fuel pump from vintage teq coming when he gets caught up on orders.

 

[sogafarm]

Still chasing gremlins in Montina. I drained the tank, changed fuel filter and fuel lines. She still cuts off on me. Trash in the lines somewhere.

 

[sogafarm]

Took out the old fuel pump on Montina. Waiting for the new one from @ToyotaMatt to arrive today.

 

[sogafarm]

I cleaned up the old one and will try and do a rebuild according to the 2f manual.

 

[sogafarm]

Scored some great shape used tires from Moultrie tire pros. Four great shape old gen BFG AT’s with no cracks and plenty of tread for the Blueplate special and a set of five cooper master craft mt’s for Montina. Checking on powder coating the wheels this week.

 

[sogafarm]

Sprayed some Marvin’s mystery oil in the plug holes and in the oil cap hole to let soak for a few days in the blue plate special. Pulled the plugs and look to be original denso’s in good shape. Gaps were small at about .030. Also pulled the PCV valve and cleaned and tested it.