Builds Ole Blue 60 gets a fresh start- EFI and more

[wngrog]

I buttoned it up this afternoon. Rewired the winch and lights, adjusted the clutch again


Funny story.

I had an oil leak after the big ride yesterday. Of course my mind goes to rear main seal immediately but then I decide to check my oil pan bolts.

Sure enough and thank Jesus it was that.

I snugged the bolts up and it stopped.

I popped the clutch cover drain plug out to make sure no oil was standing and through the hole I saw something silver.

My heart again stopped assuming something came loose from the clutch and was resting inside the cover.

I Monkey the cover off full of dread only to find the lost 10mm socket I had cussed all my helpers for losing last week.

No. Clue. How it got in there. None.

Now I’ve got to pack for the Cruiser Crawl. I’m ready for the trip.

 

[gregnash]

This is a freshly rebuilt engine too correct? Might take a little bit for her to break-in and the AFI setup to do its little learning thing. Plus you got to remember you are running bigger tires and more weight so things may change a bit over time. Or could have been your calculation with your toasted #5 was off? Hell, pure HWY mpgs I get 13.4 on fairly mountaineous roads. Average with a 70/30 (town/hwy) nets me around 10mpg.

 

[wngrog]

Just finished the first 250 road miles going to Arkansas. We used back roads and averaged 60. I’m fairly loaded. No trailer. 1/2 AC use.

Awesome smooth performance. I 100% in love.

 

[wngrog]

727 mile Trip complete and 100% successful.

@maxbob002 , send me that part number for the GM charcoal canister. I had it puke on me when plumbed correctly. When I swapped hoses it did good. I'll just replace it.

I had to tighten the AC belt.

That's it. No leaks. No loose bolts. Nothing.

3 times yesterday within 20 miles it studdered 1 second as if it was fuel starved but I did 300+ miles today and nothing. I'll check all my grounds.

I tried some 87 octane and I was still around 12.5 mpg. I'm perfectly happy with everything about the setup so the mileage is just an FYI.

It's such an amazing feeling not to ever worry about the carb stutter going up steep hills and the power is so smooth.

Great trip.

The funny thing was @beno took it for a spin and informed me my suspension was shot. That clown rides around in a 70 with no weight with HD Spring packs and 12 ply semi tires ar 80psi. I had to inform him I worked hard to be that suspension so soft.....

 

[OGBeno]

Hahahaha.

Solid Nolen.

Great to see you and the team.

Wish you would have stayed longer.

And great work on the cruiser. Totally awesome.

 

[chichiflys]

Great shot on the bridge.

 

[OGBeno]

Some of my pics from this past weekend

 

[wngrog]

Because I’m a bonehead I’m not finished.

I gave the paint man the wrong code and he painted my balance and hood the dark blue.

Taking it back to him. Whole. Just gonna paint the fronts and top while it’s on the truck and get him to hit the fronts of the fenders where it’s all pockmarked while he’s got it.

The good news is no leaks on the garage floor and no oil used on the 727 mile trip. Happy.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Want to bring that out to Death Valley next week? @FJ60Cam was talking about driving out, but bailed out since we weren't serving enough fried food. Coffee should be good tho...

 

[wngrog]

Hundo doing work

 

[wngrog]

Oh man.....

 

[FJ60Cam]

Damn

 

[gt7058a]

That looks awesome. How can you not paint the whole truck now? It’s almost like a mullet - business up front, party in the back

 

[SteveH]

Thanks for the glowing AFI reports - still considering this for my '78 FJ40. The paint work looks great!

 

[wngrog]

That looks awesome. How can you not paint the whole truck now? It’s almost like a mullet - business up front, party in the back

It's a mess really. Tons of dents. Rust in the rear fenders.

I may paint the rest one day but right now I just want to drive it.

 

[White Stripe]

Looks great!

 

[wngrog]

I’m so stoked about it.

A little history, I bought this truck in 08 sold it in 10 and bought it back in 14 for .50 on the dollar. The guy drove it about 2000 Miles the entire time and left it in the elements. The sun and rain were brutal on the Old paint and it really had the hood faded badly.

The lower valance, front of fenders and hood looked like one of the POs had flat towed it as there were tons of pecks in the paint on the front.

It always looked good in pictures but now it looks good up close as well.

Other than the little ledge along the tops of doors and rear fenders the paint looks the same (ish)

One day I’ll need to replace the rear fender arches but for now I’m rocking it as is.

Once I get help putting the bumper back on I’m going to call this latest round of mods complete.

Total project costs with the non-motor stuff was about $8200 with only $200 counted as labor but that was just a thank you prize for @FJ60Cam

The reason I Post costs is to help those that want to nose off into a project like this can use it as a template in their decisions.

 

[slacker24-7]

Very nice Nolen thank you

 

[FJ60Cam]

I’m so stoked about it.

A little history, I bought this truck in 08 sold it in 10 and bought it back in 14 for .50 on the dollar. The guy drove it about 2000 Miles the entire time and left it in the elements. The sun and rain were brutal on the Old paint and it really had the hood faded badly.

The lower valance, front of fenders and hood looked like one of the POs had flat towed it as there were tons of pecks in the paint on the front.

It always looked good in pictures but now it looks good up close as well.

View attachment 1559843 View attachment 1559844

Other than the little ledge along the tops of doors and rear fenders the paint looks the same (ish)

One day I’ll need to replace the rear fender arches but for now I’m rocking it as is.

Once I get help putting the bumper back on I’m going to call this latest round of mods complete.

Total project costs with the non-motor stuff was about $8200 with only $200 counted as labor but that was just a thank you prize for @FJ60Cam

View attachment 1559850
View attachment 1559851

The reason I Post costs is to help those that want to nose off into a project like this can use it as a template in their decisions.

You forgot the food & drinks for the help!

This really lays out the actual cost of doing things the right way. It’s never cheap.

 

[OGBeno]

You forgot the food & drinks for the help!

This really lays out the actual cost of doing things the right way. It’s never cheap.

And there are many more expensive routes as well.

But Nolen nailed it here. Simple end goals and a pathway/method to achieve them.