So in late 2005, I parked my 1978 FJ40. It had a couple of issues that I needed to deal with. Right side rear wheel cylinders for the stock rear drums were leaking, causing the rear brakes to lock up. This was more than a little dangerous. The bigger issue was I needed to do a head gasket change on the stock 2F.
I didn't intend to leave it. A few months later, after procrastinating through the winter, I drained the oil and the radiator fluid, and started on the engine. Pulled the carb and a bunch of the vacuum hoses, loosened the stock intake/exhaust manifold combo. And then stopped. For some reason.
The truck has sat in that state for 8 years. I did push it out the garage maybe 2 years ago and sprayed off all the dust and sawdust etc. But now I need to get my ass in gear and get it back up and running.
So what do I need to worry about? Dry gaskets in the motor? Can I pull the head, replace the head gasket, and go ahead and put her back together and fire it up? I don't want to disassemble, put back together, and then have to pull it apart again cause I took a short cut. I guess replace the thermostat housing and valve cover and intake/exhaust cover gaskets as well? I stupidly did not drain the gas tank in 2005, so the 1/2 tank in there is probably off. Hopefully the tank has not rusted. Chances that my fuel line would get blocked a little in the last decade? The carb has been off the manifold so it should be fine.
Because I have been basically divorced from the Cruiser World for a decade, I am out of the loop. Who is the goto guy or company for stuff like this? OEM is still my first choice, I am hoping nothing too much has changed or been discontinued. Guess I need to find a friendly parts dept at a dealer in Maryland, or an internet dealer that does Cruiser stuff. I am like a noob to the Cruiser World again.
I also have a garage full of parts that I am going to have to deal with and probably sell. My parents are moving, and I have stored stuff at their place for 20 years. Don't have room at my house. From full hardtop, to complete OEM factory soft top collection (bows, top, softop doors, softtop door straps, dropdown tailgate). 70 series turn signals. An SM420 with a 1F bell housing, slim adaptor plate and 3spd transfer case. Full set of stock springs I was keeping for a SOA. Brand new FJ40 side bars that were sold in TT a decade ago. Etc Etc. I guess that will be in a different thread in the classifieds.
So in summary, I am back. In case anyone remembers me.
Cheers
Ross Lake
I didn't intend to leave it. A few months later, after procrastinating through the winter, I drained the oil and the radiator fluid, and started on the engine. Pulled the carb and a bunch of the vacuum hoses, loosened the stock intake/exhaust manifold combo. And then stopped. For some reason.
The truck has sat in that state for 8 years. I did push it out the garage maybe 2 years ago and sprayed off all the dust and sawdust etc. But now I need to get my ass in gear and get it back up and running.
So what do I need to worry about? Dry gaskets in the motor? Can I pull the head, replace the head gasket, and go ahead and put her back together and fire it up? I don't want to disassemble, put back together, and then have to pull it apart again cause I took a short cut. I guess replace the thermostat housing and valve cover and intake/exhaust cover gaskets as well? I stupidly did not drain the gas tank in 2005, so the 1/2 tank in there is probably off. Hopefully the tank has not rusted. Chances that my fuel line would get blocked a little in the last decade? The carb has been off the manifold so it should be fine.
Because I have been basically divorced from the Cruiser World for a decade, I am out of the loop. Who is the goto guy or company for stuff like this? OEM is still my first choice, I am hoping nothing too much has changed or been discontinued. Guess I need to find a friendly parts dept at a dealer in Maryland, or an internet dealer that does Cruiser stuff. I am like a noob to the Cruiser World again.
I also have a garage full of parts that I am going to have to deal with and probably sell. My parents are moving, and I have stored stuff at their place for 20 years. Don't have room at my house. From full hardtop, to complete OEM factory soft top collection (bows, top, softop doors, softtop door straps, dropdown tailgate). 70 series turn signals. An SM420 with a 1F bell housing, slim adaptor plate and 3spd transfer case. Full set of stock springs I was keeping for a SOA. Brand new FJ40 side bars that were sold in TT a decade ago. Etc Etc. I guess that will be in a different thread in the classifieds.
So in summary, I am back. In case anyone remembers me.
Cheers
Ross Lake
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