No spark in 1974 FJ40

[Tony Karate]

I just started this project for my grandparents. I’ve only done mechanical work on my 99 Tacoma so a lot of this stuff is new to me. They’ve been using the land cruiser as a shelf for the last 30 years and we got it somewhat clear of junk last weekend. So far I put a battery in it, it turned on most of the lights but it didn’t crank. After almost having a heart attack jumping the starter with a screwdriver we got it to crank. Now it will reliably crank but there is no spark. After doing some research on the ignition system I noticed 1974 seems to be the odd one out when it comes to the distributor. There isn’t a condenser inside the distributor. I’ve seen pictures of an external one on the outside of the distributor like this diagram from my Haynes manual

There’s also this picture of it coming from the coil I found online from an unknown vehicle.

In my land cruiser there is a capacitor with a broken wire that was attached to the coil.

I don’t see any other kind of capacitor anywhere around the coil or distributor. It doesn’t look like anything I see in the manual or online. I’m pretty sure the coil has been moved from on the block above the distributor to on top of the wheel well and I’m not sure why. Hopefully there’s some people on here who can help me answer some of these questions.

Is this an external condenser?
Could this be what’s not allowing it to spark?
Is this what it looked like stock or was it replaced with this capacitor?
Can I use any fj40 condenser or 100uf 25v capacitor to replace it?

 

[igotta40]

I would replace the access cover that’s missing from your splash pan under the crank pulley. Also replace all the coolant hoses & thermostat. The thermostat housing bolts are probably seized up, so be careful removing those. I’m curious about that fuse panel on the bulkhead- your truck didn’t leave the factory with that.

 

[Tony Karate]

I would replace the access cover that’s missing from your splash pan under the crank pulley. Also replace all the coolant hoses & thermostat. The thermostat housing bolts are probably seized up, so be careful removing those. I’m curious about that fuse panel on the bulkhead- your truck didn’t leave the factory with that.

I’m not sure what that part is. Do you have a link or picture of the missing access cover? I might have it somewhere in the many bins of random fj40 parts I have.

I was told the original owner had lights set up on the roof and front bumper so I’m left with a lot of wiring I’m hesitant to take out because I’m not sure what’s supposed to be there and what’s not.



The fuse panel

The larger gauge yellow wire is connected to the positive battery terminal.


Box thing

This is where one of the red wires goes and the smaller gauge yellow wire goes through a resistor then what I think is a transistor then to ground. Is this box on the fender stock?


Some of the interior mods.

There are 3 red lights on the dash, middle one lights when power is turned on. The plate for the switch and button makes it look like it was set up to be able to run on propane. I think it might have just been used as a switch for the lights. I’ll follow the wires tomorrow and see where they take me.

 

[mrboatman]

That fuse panel is not stock, It's a p.o. add on

 

[Tony Karate]

I would replace the access cover that’s missing from your splash pan under the crank pulley. Also replace all the coolant hoses & thermostat. The thermostat housing bolts are probably seized up, so be careful removing those. I’m curious about that fuse panel on the bulkhead- your truck didn’t leave the factory with that.

You were right about the thermostat housing bolts lol.

There was no thermostat in it and a paper gasket someone really got their moneys worth out of.

 

[C6H12O6]

View attachment 2926150
I found some snacks in the coolant overflow tank. I wondered why the coolant was brown and smelled terrible. I spilled it on myself and the garage floor before I dumped the coolant out and looked inside the tank… gonna take a shower and call it a night.

I'm a biology teacher. You're definitely going to need a new mouse.

 

[igotta40]

I don’t have a picture or a sample, but it’s the big hole in your splash pan right under the crank pulley. You should be able to locate a used one.

 

[4Cruisers]

I don’t have a picture or a sample, but it’s the big hole in your splash pan right under the crank pulley. You should be able to locate a used one.

I imagine Classic Cruisers has one, give them a call.

 

[mountainhorn]

I am currently bringing back to life a 74 FJ40 with California emissions, and am in a similar situation as op. I brought it back to life after a long hibernation. It ran great until the fuel filter clogged. Changed the filter and have been suspecting weak spark causing misfiring and poor running. Could also be fuel related (which I am working on simultaneously). I ordered some ignition parts, but I'll be damned if I can find the condenser. The post on the distributor has only one wire and does not go to a condenser. Should I just add a condenser and attach it to the distributor housing? All suggestions and comments welcome.

 

[Pighead]

comments welcome.

I don't know nuthin' about condensers, but I'm pretty sure that that is a vacuum retard dizzy and you don't want to hook it up to vacuum.

 

[Spike Strip]

I believe you don't have a condenser because you have an igniter.

If you have a California spec. 1974, then you should have a vacuum advance Port at the base of the carburetor. A federal spec. 1974 will not have it. However, you do not have a vacuum advance distributor. You have a vacuum retard distributor.

One of the best mods you can do is replace that distributor with a brand new vacuum advance distributor still available from Toyota and mud vendors.

@mountainhorn

 

[4Cruisers]

Or swap in an advancer from a '77 vacuum advance distributor - but finding one might be a challenge.

 

[mountainhorn]

I believe you don't have a condenser because you have an igniter.

If you have a California spec. 1974, then you should have a vacuum advance Port at the base of the carburetor. A federal spec. 1974 will not have it. However, you do not have a vacuum advance distributor. You have a vacuum retard distributor.

One of the best mods you can do is replace that distributor with a brand new vacuum advance distributor still available from Toyota and mud vendors.

@mountainhorn

Thanks for the help. I will certainly look into that.

 

[WILLD420]

Since we are talking on the subject, I am linking an article that had a great explanation of condensers / capacitors and how they work in the ignition systems. Even modern electronic ignitions utilize them.

How Capacitors Protect Ignition Circuits

A capacitor is a two-terminal electrical device that stores and releases energy as an electric charge.

www.tomorrowstechnician.com