Spokane FJ60 Distributor Re-curve and Carburetor Rebuild (1 Viewer)

[Pomodoro87]

Hello all, I am relatively new to the area and I recently purchased an 87' FJ60 that I plan to De-smog in a few weeks. I have purchased the de-smog kits from TLC Performance (aka JimC) and I was hoping to find someone in the area that could recurve a distributor and rebuild the carb to accommodate the changes resulting from the de-smog. My 60 is my daily driver and I don't have the luxury of sending the parts off and dealing with the down time. Any insight regarding a local specialist would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[Perovich]

I've rebuilt my second or third carb now, and it can be done fairly easily in a day with minimal tools. If you feel like doing it yourself, Pinhead (Mud Member) has an excellent guide starting here:


If not, let me know and I can pull one of my rebuilt carbs from storage and we can do a straight swap for an old one and a rebuild kit.

As far as recurving goes, the only guys I know of in town that are capable of it would probably be Vandervert Automotive off North Foothills. Maybe Cabinet Cruisers in Sandpoint. Otherwise, you're looking at having to contact JimC for a recurve. You can run a desmogged 2F without a recurve fairly safely if you watch for timing in the meantime, though.

The other option you COULD do would be to search for a non-US non-vacuum advance distributor. Common on forklifts, JDM firetrucks, etc.

 

[Pomodoro87]

I've rebuilt my second or third carb now, and it can be done fairly easily in a day with minimal tools. If you feel like doing it yourself, Pinhead (Mud Member) has an excellent guide starting here:


If not, let me know and I can pull one of my rebuilt carbs from storage and we can do a straight swap for an old one and a rebuild kit.

As far as recurving goes, the only guys I know of in town that are capable of it would probably be Vandervert Automotive off North Foothills. Maybe Cabinet Cruisers in Sandpoint. Otherwise, you're looking at having to contact JimC for a recurve. You can run a desmogged 2F without a recurve fairly safely if you watch for timing in the meantime, though.

The other option you COULD do would be to search for a non-US non-vacuum advance distributor. Common on forklifts, JDM firetrucks, etc.

Thanks for all the information and great advise!!! Last night I opted to buy a non-us spec aftermarket distributor and carb from City Racer LLC. I can’t afford the down time of my rig to rebuild, especially knowing that Murphy likes to show up when I’m pressed for time. I figured the aftermarket options will work at least good enough and long enough to either do the stock rebuilds myself or send them off to a professional, pending availability. This way I’ll have a couple spare items on the shelf as well in case anything Thanks again and maybe I’ll see you around on the trails.

 

[Perovich]

Sounds good, I think you'll be super happy with the City Racer stuff, they're usually OEM or better from what I've ordered.

Happy trails!

 

[Borrego]

Welcome to the area, and the 60! Have any pics to show off?

 

[Pomodoro87]

Welcome to the area, and the 60! Have any pics to show off?

Thanks! I picked this one up from a single owner in Tacoma a couple months ago. For the most part it’s in good shap, can’t wait to get it looking real good

 

[Borrego]

Very nice and clean looking! We're twins! Mine is an 87 as well. I picked it up about a year ago. Unfortunately mine has 300k miles and a cracked head, so she's currently under the knife. I'm doing a desmog as well. Hope to have her up and going by the end of summer. Once I do, we should meet up and talk cruisers. I'm over in Coeur D Alene.

 

[Perovich]

Good looking cruisers! Whats your plan for the head? I had to send mine off to Seattle a few years back to get welded. If it's not repairable, I think I have a spare head around here somewhere.

And Pomodoro, if you ever want to sell those fender flares and brush guard, let me know!

 

[Pomodoro87]

Funny you ask, I just listed the brush guard on Craigslist this morning with a vintage Warn Winch (not working) for $100. It’s yours if you want it.

 

[Borrego]

@Perovich I was told by Spokane Cylinder Head that my head is beyond weldable. I was at Cruise Moab and talked with the Torfab guys about my head. They said they have a pallet of good ones from engine conversions that have all been magnafluxed and pressure tested that they will sell me. I just need to get over there and get one. I had plans to go awhile back, but they fell through. Do you have a spare one? Has it been tested? What would you want for it? That sure would save me a trip and get this project back on track!

 

[MattZ]

.

 

[Perovich]

Yeah I’ll buy the brush guard!

And Borrego, it hasn’t been magnafluxed or pressure tested yet, but it’s yours if you want it. I’ve just got it out in the shed. It is stripped, though, so you’d need to transfer rocker assembly and valves from your old one. I think I have a box of spares, but their pretty carboned up.

 

[Borrego]

@Perovich That would be Greatly appreciated! Can you call or text me at 509-598-1655 so we can work out the details?
Thanks,
Eric

 

[CycloSteve]

@Borrego let me know if you need a hand, as I am also in CDA. Know more about 80's, but have been wrenching on rigs since the 1980's.

 

[Borrego]

@CycloSteve Thanks! I'll definitely reach out at some point. It would be great to meet a fellow Cruiser Head that's close by.

 

[helimech]

hey has anyone tried the Vandervert Automotive place for a recurve? I'm thinking about sending mine to Jim c but if a local joint can that would be nice. I'm going to do the rebuild of the carb my self with the pin head videos. gonna run the non usa cyclone air intake also to open the area about the carb up for cooling

there was a club member from Idaho with the same set up but I forgot to take a pic of it

 

[Perovich]

Hey Helimech, a bit delayed in responding, but I haven't tried them for recurving the 2F dizzy. I know they've done them (or sent ones out) for SBC/BBF applications, may be worth a shot to inquire.

As for JimC, you really won't find a better solution. His turn-around time is pretty average for someone as 'in-demand' as he is, but you'll be happy with the result.

Also, for air intake, check out a 3F carb hat mounted to a diesel 60-series air cleaner (2H engine designation). That's going to be the coldest set-up (and is in a prime location for future snorkel) you can get.

 

[helimech]

Ahh thanks! I think I’ll send the dizzy to Jim c.
I have been working in Australia and trackeddown a non USA intake system for my 60 series Among other parts.