Builds My '78 FJ40 "44"

[78fj40mg]

Cool bros Danny!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I spoke to the engine rebuilder today... he expects to start tearing it down by Thursday and have it torn down by the weekend. So, I should have information regarding just how bad it is by then.. we'll see...

In the meantime, this 'loaner engine' is a real DOG!!

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Chester is just like Charlie. Everyday when he comes out to the shop he HAS TO INSPECT MY WORK... I figure the day he pisses on the tire I will know he is satisfied and will call it HIS!!

J

 

[Barn find]

Well... I miss driving 44... so, today, I planned how I could remove the driver's side floor pan and install pedals from a recumbent bike. I can add a sprocket to the right-rear wheel and run a long bike drive chain.

I've got it all worked out, but decided to wait for my engine rebuild to be complete.

Instead, I bought a second 2" hitch receiver from @Barn find and cut the length down about 1.5", so I could mount it to the rear bumper, without interfering with my Aux Tank. Rather than drop my Aux Tank to mount the hitch receiver, I ran the bolts from the inside of the bumper, after slathering their heads with JB-Weld. I was able to easily do this, using a telescoping magnet. Once I had the bolts in the holes, I screwed the nuts down tight and waited for the JB-Weld to set up. This way, I can easily remove and remount the hitch, should I need to drop the aux tank, for any reason.

Now, I can use my cargo basket and portable 9k winchon either the front or back. I'll probably set up tail lights and, maybe, license plate mount/lights... but, only after I decide I need them.

These are the best pictures I could get, without pushing 44 out of the garage. I bought this ATV cargo basket to use on my son-in-law's 4runner, while he was here. $39.99, on sale, at Harbor Freight - 300 lb limit. We carried two 5-gal gas cans and one 5-gal water can everywhere we went.

View attachment 1084971

View attachment 1084970

Looks good

 

[Chungas Revenge]

I should have information regarding just how bad it is by then..

Best of luck w/the engine Danny....Say, I know this "painter" if your in the market....

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thanks Jeff! What happened to your trip to the beach?

 

[handcannon]

Danny, sounds to me like you are going through Landcruiser withdrawals, kind of like what people go through from drug withdrawals, or in other words hallucinations.

Don

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Danny, sounds to me like you are going through Landcruiser withdrawals, kind of like what people go through from drug withdrawals, or in other words hallucinations.

Don

Yep, I planned to go exploring, with my boys, in my Tundra, while 44's engine was being rebuilt.

But, I haven't been able to - too many Dr Appts, Physical Therapy appts and too many pains to do any real drives - I can't walk very far (so, no hiking) and I can't really use my right arm right now (so, using my inflatable pontoon, no fishim, no target shooting).

I've gotta be all better by mid-July, for our annual family trip to Colorado. Originally I was worried about being able to fly fish - now, I'm worrying about actually making the trip at all.

I'm going to see a new doctor (this time a D.O.) later this week. I haven't been impressed with the Spine specialist (Orthopedist) or the Elbow specialist (Orthopedist) that I've seen. They want me to go to a pain management clinic and I refuse to use potentially addictive meds.

So, yeah, I'm missing 44 and I'm missing the ability to experience new adventures...

But, I'll get thru this... just gotta go slow and heal.

Take care, Don!

 

[Weber Sarge]

Might want to go the Sports Medicine route for an orthopedist , I had no luck at all until I got referred to one of those guys and he was excellent . Being a construction worker , they view us as "Industrial Athletes" , I guess it fits .
I'm stuck with the meds for life - no joint replacement will repair my legs and the arthritis is gaining speed now but I won't let it slow me down - yet .

Good luck with that elbow , most have to get surgery .

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Might want to go the Sports Medicine route for an orthopedist , I had no luck at all until I got referred to one of those guys and he was excellent . Being a construction worker , they view us as "Industrial Athletes" , I guess it fits .
I'm stuck with the meds for life - no joint replacement will repair my legs and the arthritis is gaining speed now but I won't let it slow me down - yet .

Good luck with that elbow , most have to get surgery .

Sarge

Thanks Sarge, I'm going to a sports medicine D.O. on Friday - I hope to just drop both orthopedists afterwards.

The elbow is coming along... takes about 8 weeks to heal. But, would have been nice to know the 'no lifting' restriction from the outset... I only learned of it when I asked for a physical therapy 'release'. He told me that 'most have surgery', but that 'at your age, that's not the best decision'. I don't want another surgery, if this will heal - I have full range of motion, but the tricep ligament is just connected to the elbow (olecranon) by some threads. It now feels normal much of the time, so it's a little difficult to remember not to use my right arm.

The pain in my hips, knees and ankles are either from arthritis or pinched nerves... my L3 and L4 discs are in bad shape and my spinal column is narrowed. While Ived had pain in my left hip for some time, it has always waxed and waned. No... now, every time I stand still for a couple of minutes, both hips hurt like hell and I get a 'burning' pain on the outside of both knees and both ankles. If I try to walk my dogs, it takes only a 100' or so and my legs kill me.

The meds I'm currently taking are ibuprofen-based (Flexeril and Zorvolex) and a topical compound to rub on... The Flexeril and Zorvolex worked for a full 12 hours for while and they only work for a couple of hours now. I'm not supposed to take Advil anymore, but I sneak it in when I have - I have a liver test every 6 weeks anyway.

I really don't want to take narcotics... I'm hoping this D.O. can help - he comes highly recommended.

 

[Weber Sarge]

I've been to a total of 6 Orthopedists - no help . It took me sticking my foot in the door , so to speak , at a top sports medicine researcher to get anywhere . It was all from Work Comp and a bad work accident that destroyed both legs and most of what was left of my back . Insurance carrier balked using him as his rates matched his skill level in the field of breakthrough surgeries , so I got one of his top prodigy's - which worked out great . The work he did made enough difference I can still work , sort of anyway . Cannot afford to live on disability and I'm not old enough to hit our retirement threshold - so I'm stuck .

Immunity is common with those types of drugs - I've been on Soma compound now for 6yrs and it's starting to lose it's strength . There are some new ones coming out in the next year that are suppose to work better without so much risk of liver damage , hope that's the case .

I wouldn't totally rule out surgery - there are new procedures all the time that address the old issue of age versus healing ability , it just takes the right doc . You'd be better off in the long , I'm betting anyway . It disgusts me how these athletes can take a huge injury and just a short time later be right back in the game like nothing happened - that's what expensive Sports Medicine does and most of us don't get that option .

Just for fun - Dr. Pietro Tonino is my go-to guy that got the ball rolling on walking again -
http://orthodoc.aaos.org/pietromtoninomd/

If there was a way to get into Loyola University Hospital under a referral - I bet he could help , the guy wrote the book on these repairs .

I know the feeling of missing what you love to do - it resulted in me selling my beloved Samurai I'd had for 12yrs and wheeled like it was stolen . Had started the process of rebuilding it when I got hurt - just couldn't stand to even look at it after several years , still miss it now as we had so much fun with that truck . Since I got good enough to do things again , albeit limited - drove me to find what I've always wanted all along - a Land Cruiser . They'll either bury me in it , or my daughter/grandkids will have it when I'm gone .

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Thanks Sarge! @Weber Sarge

I'm not nearly as bad a you - I'm just not accustomed to the pain - I've been very fortunate to have remained healthy for much of my 66 years. I had my prostate (cancer) removed 9.5 years ago and both shoulder AC joints resected and that's about it.

All this pain started in March and has gotten progressively worse.

But, at physical therapy yesterday, I suggested we try traction. The therapist tried it and when it reached the 'target pull' I asked her if it was supposed to hurt worse and she pulled it off real quickly and said "no, traction's out".

When I left the session, to walk to my truck, I knew I already felt better and I feel significantly better this morning.

So, now I need to talk with her tomorrow and see what she thinks about traction again, with less 'pull' - I'll probably wait and see what the new Dr says on Friday, before trying traction again.

I had traction with a different physical therapy group, a couple of years ago, and could hardly walk for 3 days...

The arthritis in my left hip is especially bad, but I'm feeling optimistic this morning...

I worked too hard, for too many years - I'm gonna get this under control, so I can enjoy retirement again!!

I'm glad that you found someone who could get you back on your feet again, so to speak!!

BTW, I just looked at Dr Tonino's webpage - he's a very old doctor

Medical
Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IllinoisMD 1977-81
Residency
Northwestern University Medical School-Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chicago, Illinois Orthopaedic Surgery 1881-86
​

 

[Weber Sarge]

Last I saw him was 6yrs ago - he's a typical tall Italian and doesn't show his age at all . Be careful with traction - it can almost be addictive and once you stop the problem returns worse . Might try inversion therapy - I use a table on occasion when the disks get too swollen and it really seems to help . I've found out just how far things have degraded the last few days - trying to fix a sister in law's Chevy Equinox , that thing is trying to kill me I swear . Just the part of laying on the driveway removing brakes , driveshaft and installing a new carrier bearing and u-joint just about crippled me again . Neck gets so tight it makes me nauseated pretty bad , enough of that crap . If anyone owns a '05-'09 , better start reading about the driveline and trade it quick - this little scenario just cost them almost $800 in parts alone . If I'm up to it , gonna try fishing a bit today despite being near 90* - need some therapy !

I did make a parts run yesterday in the 40 - felt good to drive it again after using the Tin Can Taco for the last week or so . Came out of the parts store with yet another note under the driver's wiper and a phone number , that's starting to become an irritation about selling it .

Sarge

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Good luck fishing @Weber Sarge !!

 

[78fj40mg]

Danny, I know this is something you will enjoy!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

That was great Mike! Thanks for sharing it!!

 

[Solace in Solitude]

I spoke to my engine rebuilder this week. My engine is disassembled and he told me there was nothing to prevent a good rebuild. No spun bearings or anything. The issues found:

1. All top rings were broken
2. Cylinders are tapered, slightly wider at the top. Pretty common for an engine this old.
3. Cam is bad
4. Crank needs turning.

So, it needs:

• New Domed Pistons
• New cam
• Mating surfaces decked
• Bore cylinders .020 over
• Turn crank 1010

He's gonna find OEM parts... If he can't, I will. Note: @allan man pointed me to a set of new Domed Pistons, but I want to let the rebuilder try to source parts first.

He'll know more about the head, once they magnaflux it, but he thinks it's fine.

They dip the block twice. It's in the tank now. Once it's clean, they will magnaflux it, as well. But, he doesn't see a problem with it either.

I've asked that they replace the oil galley plugs with threaded pipe plugs.

I reminded him about head gasket orientation.

He told me before that he has rebuilt a lot of 2Fs over the 30 years he's had his own machine shop... Just doesn't see them often nowadays.

So, no bad news, thus far... Hope it holds!

He should have a good idea regarding when the rebuild will be done by the 1st.

So, there you have it...

Other stuff...

I saw the new doctor on Friday and I really liked him... His practice is Osteopathic Manipulative a Therapy... He straightened my pelvis and got me centered and I have high hopes... I'm spending more time in the hot tub and doing various stretching exercises. I'm also going to buy an inversion table... The doc and @Weber Sarge both recommend it.

Chester is growing very fast

Gunner is worn out - he didn't want his picture taken!

So, there you have it again...

 

[Chungas Revenge]

Thanks Jeff! What happened to your trip to the beach?

Mission accomplished...

 

[Solace in Solitude]

Mission accomplished...

Glad you had a great time!!

 

[FJ404345]

I forgot, what was the mileage on that engine ? Was that 93k original miles?