New to me 1970 FJ40 - light build (1 Viewer)

[jhodro]

she's a runner! Still have a few things left to do such as replace a leaky power steering pump, reconnect the speedo cable, finish mounting the rear seat, install the bikini top, and get an alignment... but she's driven out of the garage and around the neighborhood. Brakes work fantastic and stops straight without any pulling or locking up the rears. The horsepower increase is very noticeable and makes for a pretty wild ride if you get on it.

 

[jhodro]

got the power steering situation worked out with a new pump and lines. Used the Jeep cj7 high pressure line as recommended in several threads and worked like a charm. Had to adjust some of the bends but clears the saginaw steering conversion much better than what was previously in there.

Got the base timing and tune set up for the Edelbrock pro flo and took her out for a shakedown. Mostly did pretty good except getting the common 3rd gear issue on the sm465. Popping out of gear under medium to hard acceleration and deceleration. Going to pop the top cover off and see if it's the detent ball springs. Hoping it's not a buggered circlip.

Other things I learned, she'll hit 70mph now but the bikini top does not like that. Also, don't get caught in the rain doing 70mph with just a bikini top. going to see if I can get a custom bikini top made with better straps and velcro roll bar straps to keep it from flapping in the wind.

 

[Slapshot]

Looks like you guys are having fun!

 

[jhodro]

tackled the 3rd gear issue - got a shift fork rebuild kit with new springs. and also welded up the shifter (common mod on the sm465 once the factory nylon sleeve wears away). Was a huge PITA getting the top cover back on and engaged with the reverse idler gear. Thought I had it all in but turned out that the shift fork slid down behind the gear and found out the hard way once it was all back together. That sucker likes to slide around so on the second time around, I ended up jamming a piece of fuel hose in the transmission fill hole and into the gear, providing enough friction to keep it in place as I wrangled the top cover back on.

this is the culprit right here

the solution

inside a sm465

welded shifter

all back together

extremely positive engagement now. Sloppiness is gone and so far she's holding in 3rd. Not bad for $50 in parts and several hours of work