Build Salted Pork fj55 family wagon build

[Roastchestnuts]

Looking at your video and your description, I would guess a bent valve, or timing related. Whenever I replace a cam or timing set in any engine I always rotate the crank 2 full revolutions(2 revolutions=4 strokes) to insure the valvetrain doesn't interfere with the pistons. Once you recheck everything and make sure the the cam is in time with the crank, rotate the crank 2 revolutions. If that's OK, then do a compression test. If there's a weak cylinder do a quick cylinder leak down on the cylinder. You don't need a fancy leak tester. My compression gauge is 2 piece, a hose with the threaded end and a fitting and the gauge which can be separated from the hose. Remove the shrader/valvecore on the threaded end of the hose, so air moves freely in and out. The fitting end of the hose can attach to an air hose fitting. Put the cylinder on TDC on the compression stroke and apply compressed air. Listen for an air leak thru the carb, the oil fill, and exhaust. This will help ID where the problem is.

I sure hope its not a bent valve. But I will go down that rabbit hole when I check everything else. Leak down test will be a good next if the timing chain timing is all good. Compression actually seems good on all the cylenders. I am not sure why I could not get #1 back up to good psi because the test before I adjusted a second time was 150 and then I readjusted it and it would not come above 100. The others came up 10psi on the readjustment haha. If it is a bent valve I am going to be super annoyed and might actually give up on this truck for the time being. Its been beating me up since June. The Baby is coming and the land cruiser (we want to drive the baby home in this), the house and life have priority over the Pup. I feel like we all have one of these projects in life where it just fights you every step. I just gotta be aware of how much time I am going to spend on this. so I can spend time on other projects that need to get done.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I didnt get to it yesterday but I am going to look at it this afternoon. again started stressing about a bent valve yesterday. My happy thought though was that I did have 150psi or over on all cylenders at one point.

Something I forgot to mention was I took salted pork to a Touch a truck event on the island! it was along side fire trucks, schoolbusses, tractors, military bobbed duce and a halfs! it was pretty cool to see young kids excited about trucks!

also snagged these photos the other morning

 

[pb4ugo]

It could be a number of things, miss adjusted valve or cam timing etc. I only messed with a couple of overhead cam set ups in the past. Crank and cam orientation is important along with the chain. The chains sometimes have markings on them to keep the crank and cam timed correctly.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

It could be a number of things, miss adjusted valve or cam timing etc. I only messed with a couple of overhead cam set ups in the past. Crank and cam orientation is important along with the chain. The chains sometimes have markings on them to keep the crank and cam timed correctly.

This one has markings on the cam shaft and the sproket has a dowel that it lines up with on the cam. TDC on the crank has a mark on the crank pulley and the pulley has a key way that makes it only go in one way. But what I am hoping is that I didn't have the crank all the way at tdc when I lined up the cam with the crank. maybe it moved or something when I installed it. and maybe I didn't notice. It looks lined up though. or I have the wrong timing marks lined up or something. I keep seeing timing stuff to #4 and not to #1 so I am going to look into that too. The other thing is apparently the chain has a link that you line up on a mark on the cam shaft sproket as well and I did not know that. So I will fix that. However I dont see how that would make a difference. maybe the links are not equal distance. Either way I am going to need to adjust the timing chain. Ill keep everyone posted on what I find.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I feel like I am on the up! things are going well even though it still does not sound great but its 10000x better. I still have alot to do still but I feel less stressed about it all. Here is what I figured out today: So turns out the crank pulley TDC mark is NOT TDC. (No Joke about 5 minutes before I figured this out I texted @theglob if he wanted help me pull the head when he is here this weekend.) I also was not getting any compression in #1 before I figured this out ZERO. I moved the crank where it felt like it was TDC in #1 by using a thick zip tie to feel the piston come up. Then I took the Dizzy and fuel pump out. fuel pump arm is in the way and you need to take the dizzy out to get the fuel pump out. I loosed the rocker assembly. Then I loosened the chain tensioner and unbolted the camshaft sprocket with chain still attached. I moved the cam shaft so It was oriented to TDC on #4. then bolted everything back up.

I knew as soon as I did about 4 or 5 revolutions of the engine without feeling a tight spot that I had figured out the main issue.

I am going to check compression again tomorrow on #1. It did run pretty well without any weird gallop. it I am hoping something weird happened with the rings... wishful thinking. I will also say It did run much better. No sputtering out the carb. Its still a little loud because I need to go through the valves another time and the valve cover is rattling but hey its running way better than before! Carb needed choke too. I may just send it tomorrow and button everything up after I adjust those valves again.

In the video you can hear the valve cover rattling because I did not tighten it down (its just laying on top.) and the valves are a little loud. but I am not hearing combustion through the carb!




Below is TDC on #4 according to the haynes which is why I guess you time it to #4. I kept confusing it with tdc on 1 witch is why I kept adjusting valves wrong.

I figured out this lines up with TDC on #1 (for future reference.)

This is a few degrees off TDC. I am guessing 20 degrees or so after TDC. Actual tdc seemed to be about an inch and half or more past here. I need to make a mark on the pulley so I can use a timing light.

I still didn't figure out this. I didn't see a chain link that was any different.

 

[onemanarmy]

You can do it!!!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

You can do it!!!

reminded me of Rob Schneider character in waterboy

 

[Roastchestnuts]

I am stoked to get the rest of the Isuzu pup back together. Todays afterwork list of things to do is do not in order: 1. valve lash 1 more time, 2. Check compression on #1 (if this is bad I am not sure the plan), 3. I need to install the radiator belts and fan and components (I only ran it a couple of times a couple seconds at a time), 4. double check the torq on the intake and exhaust manifolds, 5. I want to see about pulling off the crank pulley to see if I can adjust the timing mark to where it should be, 6. install the reverse light switch on the transmission (I forgot to re install it when I stabbed it back), 7. bolt down valve cover with the gasket correct, 8. Tune the carb and set timing. I might put my rebuilt weber 38 on instead because I had just gone through it for the fj55. It might be too big for the little 1.9 though. any thoughts there?

My plan was to drive the pup as a daily while I start cranking on the fj55. SO I am very excited to get all this done I can finally move my fj55 into this spot and start cutting and welding in new rockers, front body mounts and floor pans and getting into that project deeper!

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Well I thought I was all good and had it fixed and had the Isuzu pup done NOPE! Ill start with the good. I drove it further up in my yard and It runs pretty good. sounds like a few valves maybe a little too tight but easy fix. you know the weird burble sound they make when its not quite right. The 0 compression went to 75psi witch again is not good... I suspect something else is going on there because it ran pretty good considering. Id be willing to bet after I ran it the psi is in the 150 range. I will check again tomorrow. Edit: I had the wrong video here is the good running video


Then Of course somthing had to go wrong to a point where I cant drive it. ughhhhhh well here it is, the new oil pain gasket completley failed and was pouring out. I lost half the oil moving 50 feet. I am wondering if I dont have a pcv or some vent hose hooked up. Ill look tomorow. I think I might be able to snake a gasket in without pulling the engine out... I pulled the engine to get oil pan off originally because it was leaking and it I needed to pull the pan to get the front cover off. I am in disbelief this happend to be honest.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

After finding this massive oil leek yesterday afternoon I was feeling pretty defeated especially after all that I have gone through on this truck. I am going to take a break and move on to the stuff I have needed to do on the fj55. I just need to move on. I ordered another oil pan gasket from rock auto (NOT FELPRO THIS TIME!) I feel like a cork one would do better here but I could not find one. Ill replace that gasket whenever I have some free time which I know will be a struggle and I hope that will be the end of this. But I wont be surprised if its not.

The upside is my trivia team won trivia last night and @theglobb said he was going to be on the island with some new used wheels and tires for the fj55 this weekend! I am stoked on that. and I have great things happening with my other project the salt shaker samurai!

So on the to do list on the fj55 this coming week is the steering center arm, drag link, and steering stabilizer hoping that will tighten up some steering issues. I know the center arm is worn out and has play so just that alone should make things better!

Here are the tires being prepared get here! I am excited for sure to get these on there. I really appreciate it @theglobb . I look forward to hanging with you on Saturday

The early morning light has been beautiful! I try and check the surf in the mornings before work and coffee shop stop.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Update and thoughts: I think I may have found the reason the pup puked its guts out: I dont think I had the pcv hose routed correctly and because of it I think it had to much crank pressure. I know the port for the oil pan pressure was capped off. (however I did not cap this off and I think it has been like that since I have owned it.) post #15 In this thread post (last sentence really) seems to be a good solution for me as I don't have smog: 1.9l weber carb instal problems - https://www.planetisuzoo.com/threads/1-9l-weber-carb-instal-problems.76556/ this will be my plan for when I get my oil pan gasket back. Again I am going to take a breather on it (no pun intended) this coming week and going to focus on my Samurai and fj55 projects.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

So I had a fun weekend. I got to see @theglobb , I went to a co workers wedding, and I got my tires and steering components replaced. I am so glad I got working on that sketchy steering. Like I said in a few post, I had a spare center arm that I had purchased for the fj40 and it ended up not being right. (I think I bought it from proffitt resurrections ?)The center arm seemed to be in really good shape felt/looked rebuilt seemed to be tight. I installed that center arm, a OME steering Damper I got from @SC-Cruiser , and a fuji Drag link I got from @cruiseroutfit. with the new tires the steering is soo much better. I can go 55 without worrying about darting off the road all of a sudden. I know my main issue was the center arm I had was shot and the ends on the drag link were also shot. The tires are awesome. came with some split rims haha. The tires and rims were on a Fj55 that @Shyrock bought. I think he said it came out of Saudi Arabia. The tred still has the little nipples on them from casting. They are 2024 dated I think. They are exactly what I needed for the family wagon.

Hanging with @theglobb and his GF

A close up of the tires. I like the way they look under there a lot better!

Instaled the new center arm. dont worry I did torq those bolts down.

The fj40 arm and the 55 arm are different so I had to pull the old one off and instal on the new center arm. I did wire wheel this and clean it up. I had to use my air hammer as a wedge to get the arm off because for what ever reason my puller would not work on it fitment wise.

This extension was nice to un bolt the components from the engine compartment. All my parts laid out.

Before everything bolted down, pinned and adjusted. Relatively new shock is in there.

Pins and adjusted and its fantastic.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

Sunday funday! Some more shots from the beach yesterday with some friends of ours. Complete opposite weather from today.

 

[Roastchestnuts]

some input from MUD I am planning on getting new tires in the 31x10.50 or 30x9.5 15 size for my Samurai. Do you guys have any recommendations for all terrains or mud terrains that wont break the bank?

 

[charliemeyer007]

4 LT235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply Forceum MT 08 Plus Tires | 1200046769 | Indonesia | Black | Radial Ply Belted | All Terrain | Light Truck | Q | 29.9 | TL

Forceum M/T 08 Plus FEATURES AND BENEFITS All weather traction Hydroplaning resistance Enhanced mud traction Increased steering responsiveness Driving stability OVERVIEW The Forceum M/T 08 Plus is a mud terrain, all season tire manufactured for light trucks and SUVs. The intended purpose of Mud...

www.ebay.com

WTF is wrong with an ebay link it does work when I click on it
These are on my LC. I'm happy. I think floridalife bought a set for his.

4 Tires Forceum M/T 08 Plus LT 235/75R15 LT 235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply MT Mud

 

[svsisu]

I think you had kenda's on the salt wagon when you got it? I really like them, and have them on the troopy (RT 35x10.5R17) and just ordered a set for the T100 (AT2 31.7x9.5, well 235/85R16). The one's on the troopy have held up really well. They have an AT2 in 235/75R15, about 29x9.3, an AT in 30x9.5R15 and a MT in 30x9.5R15. The AT2 is more agresive tread than the AT, but not as much as an MT. I'm not a fan of mud terrains on the beach, but I do like the look of them. Personally I would go with skinny's over the 31x10.5.

 

[theglobb]

4 LT235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply Forceum MT 08 Plus Tires | 1200046769 | Indonesia | Black | Radial Ply Belted | All Terrain | Light Truck | Q | 29.9 | TL

Forceum M/T 08 Plus FEATURES AND BENEFITS All weather traction Hydroplaning resistance Enhanced mud traction Increased steering responsiveness Driving stability OVERVIEW The Forceum M/T 08 Plus is a mud terrain, all season tire manufactured for light trucks and SUVs. The intended purpose of Mud...

www.ebay.com

WTF is wrong with an ebay link it does work when I click on it
These are on my LC. I'm happy. I think floridalife bought a set for his.

4 Tires Forceum M/T 08 Plus LT 235/75R15 LT 235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply MT Mud

buddy of mine runs these on everything he has up here in the mountains, including one of those funky 4wd 80's Tercel wagons. he has yet to have an issue with them that I know of

 

[svsisu]

4 LT235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply Forceum MT 08 Plus Tires | 1200046769 | Indonesia | Black | Radial Ply Belted | All Terrain | Light Truck | Q | 29.9 | TL

Forceum M/T 08 Plus FEATURES AND BENEFITS All weather traction Hydroplaning resistance Enhanced mud traction Increased steering responsiveness Driving stability OVERVIEW The Forceum M/T 08 Plus is a mud terrain, all season tire manufactured for light trucks and SUVs. The intended purpose of Mud...

www.ebay.com

WTF is wrong with an ebay link it does work when I click on it
These are on my LC. I'm happy. I think floridalife bought a set for his.

4 Tires Forceum M/T 08 Plus LT 235/75R15 LT 235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply MT Mud

That's a nice looking tire at a great price. I think that is a good size for the little samurai, but maybe he needs it jacked with a carolina squat

Set of 4 Forceum M/T 08 Plus 235/75R15 104/101Q C 6 Ply mud Light Truck Tires - Walmart.com

Buy Set of 4 Forceum M/T 08 Plus 235/75R15 104/101Q C 6 Ply mud Light Truck Tires at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[Roastchestnuts]

4 LT235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply Forceum MT 08 Plus Tires | 1200046769 | Indonesia | Black | Radial Ply Belted | All Terrain | Light Truck | Q | 29.9 | TL

Forceum M/T 08 Plus FEATURES AND BENEFITS All weather traction Hydroplaning resistance Enhanced mud traction Increased steering responsiveness Driving stability OVERVIEW The Forceum M/T 08 Plus is a mud terrain, all season tire manufactured for light trucks and SUVs. The intended purpose of Mud...

www.ebay.com

WTF is wrong with an ebay link it does work when I click on it
These are on my LC. I'm happy. I think floridalife bought a set for his.

4 Tires Forceum M/T 08 Plus LT 235/75R15 LT 235/75R15 Load C 6 Ply MT Mud

buddy of mine runs these on everything he has up here in the mountains, including one of those funky 4wd 80's Tercel wagons. he has yet to have an issue with them that I know of

That's a nice looking tire at a great price. I think that is a good size for the little samurai, but maybe he needs it jacked with a carolina squat

Set of 4 Forceum M/T 08 Plus 235/75R15 104/101Q C 6 Ply mud Light Truck Tires - Walmart.com

Buy Set of 4 Forceum M/T 08 Plus 235/75R15 104/101Q C 6 Ply mud Light Truck Tires at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

I am a little worried that the 235 75 16 size will be too small under the samurai. It has a SOA lift that seems like it will be difficult do undo. and I am unsure I want to go down that road. I think mostly difficult because of the drive line mods. The front has a shackle reversal that moves the front axle more forward. from what I have read it makes it drive in a strait line better and maybe reduce that pinion angle some. I will say its the best solid axle vehicle I have driven in terms of squirlyness. also has a high steer conversion. It does feel like its on rails. I think the SOA lift is giving like 4 inches of lift? its a little frustrating because they did all this work for tires and lift but its running stock gearing so its kinda a dog in the sand unless you run it in 4low. I want to regear the tcase this winter some time. But maybe I should de lift it and put it more stock and then go for that size but that seems a little too involved right now. All that to say I am thinking I gotta stick to those two tire sizes. This photo below is from back in July I think 4th week. that front tire is a 27 inch equivalent and seems small. it is on a stock rim (my spare). I don't have a good side view but its a-lot of wheel well space. but those 235s are cheep! I think I saw some 30x9.50s for a good price. they were some odd cheep knock off tires. the market seems to be flooded with those kind of tires right now like the ones suggested (not the kendas). Unfortunutly I had a hard time finding a good 16 inch rim (that would give me more tire options)

It does make me feel better you guys think those cheeper non name brand tires are good. Thanks for the input!

 

[FJBen]

I would be OK running cheaper tires on a rig that doesn’t really go too far or too fast or carry too much. Seems perfect for a Sammy.