Builds RevISK’s ‘80 FJ40 - A Girl Named Norman (2 Viewers)

[EStein]

Yessir. My butt and back are stoked to say the least. My driver seat was an amalgam of duct tape, gym mat, cheap seat covers and old farts.

To me, this upgrade is inline with the headlights and mirrors. Relatively cheap and super easy with a very worth it outcome.

No issue with the width and the center console?

I’m a big fan of keeping things stock but $970 for foam and seat covers (not including back foam) from SOR is really steep. You sold me!

 

[RevISK]

No issue with the width and the center console?

I’m a big fan of keeping things stock but $970 for foam and seat covers (not including back foam) from SOR is really steep. You sold me!

They really did fit well. They seem a wee narrow between the bolsters if you’re larger than a standard American man (I’m the poster boy for average size… I call it, “Extra Medium”) but my Conn-Ferr console and seat belt ends were not disturbed in the least. A stupid simple swap.

 

[JohnnyFish]

Ian, I hadn't realized you had a build thread for Norman. It was a lot of fun to read. Great work bud.

 

[RevISK]

Ian, I hadn't realized you had a build thread for Norman. It was a lot of fun to read. Great work bud.

Thanks man. It’s a bit more of a stream of consciousness diary but maybe it’ll qualify as a build thread at some point.

Hopefully something in here will help someone a fraction as much as this forum has helped me.

 

[RevISK]

Not much happening on the hardtop welding repairs front. Been busy schilling s***z for the man’s. I have been scooting around town as much as possible in the girl running errands and taking the boy to the batting cage. Tundra needs a brake job and I’m at the point where I’ve done enough of them to just not pay the $1,200 or whatever. Just need time…

So the question of the day for anyone: I am getting an intermittent “flat spot” at high rev in second gear. Sometimes, not always, it (the acceleration) just seems to flatten out right when I’m about to shift into 3rd. I thought I fixed this with the new fuel filter but it has returned.

My gut says carb issue, I have a weber 32/36 (that I did not choose to install), and if that’s the case maybe @rkymtnflyfisher or @Webersarge could chime in? If not, what else should I be looking at?

Half of me wants to just try and source a new/old/whatever oem style carb but aside from a laundry list of other major to do’s (knuckles at the top) I’d rather just hold out for a sniper.

So, what else?

Here is a picture to make this post mildly more interesting:

The day I procured the cute lil rabbit hole.

 

[sogafarm]

I’ve got the city racer carb in mine and it’s plug n play. Doesn’t even need choke to start. For the price it’s worth a try.

 

[RevISK]

I’ve got the city racer carb in mine and it’s plug n play. Doesn’t even need choke to start. For the price it’s worth a try.

Then I need an air cleaner as well, right?
To be fair to the guy who put the weber on, he pulled an old Holley off so…

I guess I want to know if it’s the carb or I really should adjust the valves or put genuine Japanese air in the tires or whatever… before I start throwing $$$ at it.

 

[sogafarm]

I have the stock air cleaner with a spacer for the cityracer carb. It’s on the website for around $30 for the spacer and $325 for the carb. That’s around the same price as a stock aisin with a professional rebuild I think. I still have my OG carb and will rebuild that myself( eventually).

 

[sogafarm]

I did adjust from the 1 1/2 turn to about a 2 full turns from bottom of the mixture screw since I’m at low altitude (400 ft). Higher altitude would benifit from a leaner mix. I just didn’t want to run too lean.

 

[sogafarm]

Also mine is desmogged with header.

 

[RevISK]

Also mine is desmogged with header.

I’m at a similar elevation, desmogged as well, some sort headery looking contraption that came on the truck. Wondering if it’s a tune thing or what.

Other possible symptoms:

Starts great when cold, first fire. Takes a bit when warm.
Smells like gas sometimes.
Exhaust smells sweet for lack of a better term.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I'm running a non US spec carb from something like a middle eastern 80 series poverty pack rig, at least that's what I remember reading on the receipt when I got it back from Jim C. Then came the issue of an air cleaner to go with it, luckily I stumbled on one a few hours away when I lived in Maryland, again it's a middle eastern spec part from a 43 if I remember correctly.

All in all it's a pretty legit setup after I put all the pieces together right. I'm thinking I need to tune some stuff here pretty soon as it's been getting sluggish going up the pass to ski every weekend.

Myself, I'd ditch the Weber and put together an OEMish setup. There are people that love the Webers, no hate, I just enjoy the OEM parts that are simple and work like they're designed to.

 

[RevISK]

To keep the thread bumping. Last beer so about to do a B double E double R U N

 

[RevISK]

I'm running a non US spec carb from something like a middle eastern 80 series poverty pack rig, at least that's what I remember reading on the receipt when I got it back from Jim C. Then came the issue of an air cleaner to go with it, luckily I stumbled on one a few hours away when I lived in Maryland, again it's a middle eastern spec part from a 43 if I remember correctly.

All in all it's a pretty legit setup after I put all the pieces together right. I'm thinking I need to tune some stuff here pretty soon as it's been getting sluggish going up the pass to ski every weekend.

Myself, I'd ditch the Weber and put together an OEMish setup. There are people that love the Webers, no hate, I just enjoy the OEM parts that are simple and work like they're designed to.

Yeah, having a sidebar text convo with AJ.
I don’t love the weber at all, but when it’s good, it’s just that. I’m not entirely sure what I’m missing as it’s been since 91 when I last drove an oem carbed 40.

AJ is pushing the sniper, I’m not made of ducketts so I need to weigh my options here.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I’m trying to convince my wife that we should fly to to Texas for the Troubadour Festival in Aggie land in May, I’m sure I’ll have teenage kid stuff to take care of though and we won’t be able to go.


I just want to go pig out on smoked beef, drink dark beer, and enjoy some live music!!

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

I’m reality I should be looking to buy some Procar seats for my 40, then install seat heaters, that should be my priority right now.

 

[OlYellr]

B double E double R U N

I know that song!

 

[Green Bean]

I’m trying to convince my wife that we should fly to to Texas for the Troubadour Festival in Aggie land in May, I’m sure I’ll have teenage kid stuff to take care of though and we won’t be able to go.


I just want to go pig out on smoked beef, drink dark beer, and enjoy some live music!!

View attachment 3547199

Looks like they have a good line up of BBQ. That's worth the trip.

 

[RevISK]

I’m reality I should be looking to buy some Procar seats for my 40, then install seat heaters, that should be my priority right now.

I’m not bummed on my procar install. I know they aren’t top of the line but a huge upgrade in drivability.

 

[RevISK]

I know that song!

What’s that spell?