Npulver's 71 Fj55 Build "Sea Unicorn"
- Thread starter npulver
- Start date
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You are the man!!!!!
Redgrrr
I have a problem with 40s
How’s Duane’s 40 treating you! Come out wheelin with it! I’d love to see it on the trail again. Been a good 20 years! I sill have his brother in laws 40 I bought almost 25 years ago.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Must prepare for Pig Party 2020!
npulver
Metal Messager
- Thread starter
- #448
So i guess quick update. So i ordered my engine harness for the landcruiser, which more or less was the last piece of the puzzle to get moving foward again on the landcruiser. So progress is being made, just very very very slowly. Its always on the back of my mind to get moving on it. (the wife doesnt let me forget either "how many piles of junk are you going to have that you cant use..." My wife Loooovessss project cars (insert sarcasm).
On the reason i havent really made any process on the landcruiser this summer. Wife and i have decided that were finally ready to move out of our first house within the next 6 months or so (house will go up for sale in the spring) So I've been busy beavering around the house all summer long trying to get all of my house projects done to get it sellable. This is super exciting for me, as we have a very good amount of equity into our house which is going to allow me to get myself a nice sized shop (hoping for something in the 40x50 range) which is dependent on how nice of a house we end up getting. Will be nice to be able to store all my vehicle inside and be able to work on them as i wish.
Now small update on some other projects if anyone is curious.
67 Charger, again being as i have busy on the house i didnt get super far on many projects but made some headway on each one. The Charger is slowly growing its part stash. First order of it is get it moveable, engine and transmission are now sitting in the engine bay as it should. The engine was out of a motor home (440 w/ 727 trans), motor home engines run some hardware from your standard engines so i have been slowly adding some go fast parts to change in over to a prettier engine. All your standard bolt on stuff has been ordered and is currently sitting in the car. Last two major purchases for it to get it running is a radiator and aluminum heads. (plans are to run Trick Flow 240 heads) So im around $2500 away from having it up and moving.
The new project 77' FJ40, as mentioned before wasnt really looking at aquiring this project but it fell in my lap and im happy it did. Not a ton of stuff has really been required to get it driveable. Had to buy a new set of tires (which ended up being cheaper to get wheels and tires (swapped from 15' rims to 16 rims with 35's) Otherwise i did a tune up, fresh gas, new saginaw box (which required some modifications i wasnt expecting.) and a carburetor rebuild. After driving it a few times, i decided that the rochester 2gc was a little large for it, and was also having some major fuel issues if it sat for more than a few hours and needed to rectify that situation. Fast forward to yesterday. Ordered new Holley Sniper 2300 master kit, and it came in yesterday. So in preperation for the kit, i started tearing apart in interior to pull the fuel tank out, and got the fuel drained last night. Tonight i will clean the fuel tank out and let it air out. This weekend will be drilling out the tank for a return line and installing the sniper kit.
So trying to get the FJ40 driveable so i can then just drive and enjoy it and focus on the landcruiser in the new house/garage. Cant wait for that adventure to start!
If anyone wants pictures of anything specific i certainly can do that....other than my currently sad looking state pig.
On the reason i havent really made any process on the landcruiser this summer. Wife and i have decided that were finally ready to move out of our first house within the next 6 months or so (house will go up for sale in the spring) So I've been busy beavering around the house all summer long trying to get all of my house projects done to get it sellable. This is super exciting for me, as we have a very good amount of equity into our house which is going to allow me to get myself a nice sized shop (hoping for something in the 40x50 range) which is dependent on how nice of a house we end up getting. Will be nice to be able to store all my vehicle inside and be able to work on them as i wish.
Now small update on some other projects if anyone is curious.
67 Charger, again being as i have busy on the house i didnt get super far on many projects but made some headway on each one. The Charger is slowly growing its part stash. First order of it is get it moveable, engine and transmission are now sitting in the engine bay as it should. The engine was out of a motor home (440 w/ 727 trans), motor home engines run some hardware from your standard engines so i have been slowly adding some go fast parts to change in over to a prettier engine. All your standard bolt on stuff has been ordered and is currently sitting in the car. Last two major purchases for it to get it running is a radiator and aluminum heads. (plans are to run Trick Flow 240 heads) So im around $2500 away from having it up and moving.
The new project 77' FJ40, as mentioned before wasnt really looking at aquiring this project but it fell in my lap and im happy it did. Not a ton of stuff has really been required to get it driveable. Had to buy a new set of tires (which ended up being cheaper to get wheels and tires (swapped from 15' rims to 16 rims with 35's) Otherwise i did a tune up, fresh gas, new saginaw box (which required some modifications i wasnt expecting.) and a carburetor rebuild. After driving it a few times, i decided that the rochester 2gc was a little large for it, and was also having some major fuel issues if it sat for more than a few hours and needed to rectify that situation. Fast forward to yesterday. Ordered new Holley Sniper 2300 master kit, and it came in yesterday. So in preperation for the kit, i started tearing apart in interior to pull the fuel tank out, and got the fuel drained last night. Tonight i will clean the fuel tank out and let it air out. This weekend will be drilling out the tank for a return line and installing the sniper kit.
So trying to get the FJ40 driveable so i can then just drive and enjoy it and focus on the landcruiser in the new house/garage. Cant wait for that adventure to start!
If anyone wants pictures of anything specific i certainly can do that....other than my currently sad looking state pig.
Yes all of it.
RUSH55
SILVER Star
What he said.Good luck wrapping up the house projects. Good move deciding to sell now, good market.
npulver
Metal Messager
- Thread starter
- #451
Always a catch 22, housing market for selling is higher, but so is the buying. lol The housing market around here price was has jumped 40-50% over the last 5-10 years. Sadly means buying land is getting harder and harder to afford, a well as having a house built affordably.
Redgrrr
I have a problem with 40s
1500 new families coming into the Ellsworth AFB expansion has definitely made for a strong market...
RUSH55
SILVER Star
Yeah, that is the drawback, but, if you have your current home paid down pretty good and you make a decent chunk from the equity, you have a nice down payment to help bring a new place down close to where you are with your current mortgage (hopefully). Take your time shopping around and you’re bound to find more of what you want than what you think you should settle for.
Kinda been in the same boat for years myself, we outgrew our place long ago and have been threatening to sell and move. There always seems to be some nagging reason(s) not to.
npulver
Metal Messager
- Thread starter
- #454
That it has, part of the reason im making the push to sell now before they show up and drive the market up a little higher.
In the mean time, im going to try to get some photos uploaded to show you guys kind of what i've been up to. To be honest i've been kind of terrible of documenting my progress this summer as its been kind of a whirl wind. But i'll show what i can!
npulver
Metal Messager
- Thread starter
- #455
So here comes the long post...
So like i mentioned, its been quite the whirl wind year for my family. At the very end of last year my wife was diagnosed with eye cancer, So that promptly brought us into the new year a little shaky. So a quick week long stay in Cincinnati was in order for cancer treatment. Not the start of the year we were hoping for. But after a week stay in Cincinnati, and some great doctors, my wife is on the mend! (She absolutely DREADS the every two month doctor visits currently though.)
After getting back my wife was feeling up to going to the slopes with her family. Glad we did, as it was probably the most fun i've had skiing, weather was great, and my kid is getting considerably better, allowing us to adventure out some more.
Found this sign in one of the bedrooms of the cabin we were staying at, had to snap a picture!
A few months later we were finally able to take our first family vacation that didnt revolve around visiting family. Disney World! Wanted to hit up Disney before my kid got to old to enjoy, and next year it would have been more expensive for my kid to get in.
This was the best year for being out doors! The temperature never really got hot this year, we had ample rain fall resulting it everything being green year round, which i've never seen in my 25+ years of living here.
So like i mentioned, its been quite the whirl wind year for my family. At the very end of last year my wife was diagnosed with eye cancer, So that promptly brought us into the new year a little shaky. So a quick week long stay in Cincinnati was in order for cancer treatment. Not the start of the year we were hoping for. But after a week stay in Cincinnati, and some great doctors, my wife is on the mend! (She absolutely DREADS the every two month doctor visits currently though.)
After getting back my wife was feeling up to going to the slopes with her family. Glad we did, as it was probably the most fun i've had skiing, weather was great, and my kid is getting considerably better, allowing us to adventure out some more.
Found this sign in one of the bedrooms of the cabin we were staying at, had to snap a picture!
A few months later we were finally able to take our first family vacation that didnt revolve around visiting family. Disney World! Wanted to hit up Disney before my kid got to old to enjoy, and next year it would have been more expensive for my kid to get in.
This was the best year for being out doors! The temperature never really got hot this year, we had ample rain fall resulting it everything being green year round, which i've never seen in my 25+ years of living here.
npulver
Metal Messager
- Thread starter
- #456
Im an avid foody, I dont get in the kitchen as much as i would like (which is probably good for my weight...) but even had some time to get some cooking/baking in while some family was in town
House projects have kept me busy, with us deciding to sell this coming year. Part of my list is to finish the back deck that i started a few years ago. It was fully functional (for us) as it was, but obviously doesnt work for code inforcement and potential buyers. So building some stairs (went overboard and wanted to challenge the building side of me) and putting up some railing is in order. (plus finishing the pergola). This is where the stairs currently sit, its rained every day just about since i got to this point, need it finish putting on face boards to enclose the stairs, then staining will come when everything is finshed together.
House projects have kept me busy, with us deciding to sell this coming year. Part of my list is to finish the back deck that i started a few years ago. It was fully functional (for us) as it was, but obviously doesnt work for code inforcement and potential buyers. So building some stairs (went overboard and wanted to challenge the building side of me) and putting up some railing is in order. (plus finishing the pergola). This is where the stairs currently sit, its rained every day just about since i got to this point, need it finish putting on face boards to enclose the stairs, then staining will come when everything is finshed together.
npulver
Metal Messager
- Thread starter
- #457
Ok, on to some car related stuff finally!
So as i've said Unfortunately the pig has been put on the back burner, as has the Charger as im focusing on the FJ40 since its technically drive-able (but needs alottt of maintenance, since its been sitting for 15+ years).
When i got the FJ40 apparently it has gone through several varying carburetor setups. From originally a weber style, to something else, then to the Rochester 2gc setup it currently has. Since it had been sitting for several years, first order was to do a standard tune up, Plugs, cap, rotor. Was able to get it running by just doing that after a quick shot of ether, but never really idled well and wouldnt stay running. So carb rebuild here we come. Rebuilt the carb and the idling issue went away, but still after sitting for several hours, would have to be hit with a shot of ether to jump it over. My guess is that the fuel tank was syphoning the gas back out of the bowls. Since this engine has already been converted to a electric fuel pump, i assumed it should have plenty of fuel getting to the carb, and am contributing it to the carb being too large for the engine. The other issue was while driving it, at lower RPM the engine would fall on its face off a start, and then pick back up once in at a higher rpm. Also had issues with off throttle idling while coming to stop lights. Had a few instances of having to pull of the side of the road and ether starting it, as it would die if you put the clutch in at normal driving rpm. Super frustrating. So with that, it brings me to this bad boy.
Holley Sniper 2300. Purchased the master kit to make install somewhat painless. Comes with nearly everthing you would need, minus some adapters here and there. So the process began a few days ago. Im working out side on this one, so i can only work on it about an hour an night after work since its starting to get dark about 7pm around here now.
First order was to pull the fuel tank out and prep it for having a fuel return line. Now this ended up being done kind of half assed. I dont usually like to go that route, however due to the circtumstances of pulling the fuel tank out and seeing its condition, i didnt feel too bad. Upon draining the fuel tank i was getting a decent amount of rust flakes from the tank, this was some what expected from a vehicle this old, however what i wasnt expecting was the jb weld job on the bottom of the tank plugging what im guessing is a pinhole leak. (didnt get a picture of this. So, now that im not too commited to this tank or fuel sender, i figured i would try to fit my fuel return line into the sender unit. (the new tank that i'll be ordering will have a bulk head put in place on the other end of the tank)
i didnt think about the nut being in the way of the opening on the tank, and had to do some clearancing on the hole...(this is where it got half assed)
However with trimming the rubber gasket down, i was able to make everything work just fine.
So as i've said Unfortunately the pig has been put on the back burner, as has the Charger as im focusing on the FJ40 since its technically drive-able (but needs alottt of maintenance, since its been sitting for 15+ years).
When i got the FJ40 apparently it has gone through several varying carburetor setups. From originally a weber style, to something else, then to the Rochester 2gc setup it currently has. Since it had been sitting for several years, first order was to do a standard tune up, Plugs, cap, rotor. Was able to get it running by just doing that after a quick shot of ether, but never really idled well and wouldnt stay running. So carb rebuild here we come. Rebuilt the carb and the idling issue went away, but still after sitting for several hours, would have to be hit with a shot of ether to jump it over. My guess is that the fuel tank was syphoning the gas back out of the bowls. Since this engine has already been converted to a electric fuel pump, i assumed it should have plenty of fuel getting to the carb, and am contributing it to the carb being too large for the engine. The other issue was while driving it, at lower RPM the engine would fall on its face off a start, and then pick back up once in at a higher rpm. Also had issues with off throttle idling while coming to stop lights. Had a few instances of having to pull of the side of the road and ether starting it, as it would die if you put the clutch in at normal driving rpm. Super frustrating. So with that, it brings me to this bad boy.
Holley Sniper 2300. Purchased the master kit to make install somewhat painless. Comes with nearly everthing you would need, minus some adapters here and there. So the process began a few days ago. Im working out side on this one, so i can only work on it about an hour an night after work since its starting to get dark about 7pm around here now.
First order was to pull the fuel tank out and prep it for having a fuel return line. Now this ended up being done kind of half assed. I dont usually like to go that route, however due to the circtumstances of pulling the fuel tank out and seeing its condition, i didnt feel too bad. Upon draining the fuel tank i was getting a decent amount of rust flakes from the tank, this was some what expected from a vehicle this old, however what i wasnt expecting was the jb weld job on the bottom of the tank plugging what im guessing is a pinhole leak. (didnt get a picture of this. So, now that im not too commited to this tank or fuel sender, i figured i would try to fit my fuel return line into the sender unit. (the new tank that i'll be ordering will have a bulk head put in place on the other end of the tank)
i didnt think about the nut being in the way of the opening on the tank, and had to do some clearancing on the hole...(this is where it got half assed)
However with trimming the rubber gasket down, i was able to make everything work just fine.
So glad to hear your wife is getting through it and back to enjoying life.
How many people have jumped from the top of the rafters onto that trampoline? Perfect placement!
