Where to begin - Inherited my Aunt's 77 FJ40

[NellieFJ40]

Finished up the overhead console. Im happy with the end product.

 

[Honger]

That turned out super nice. Well done!

 

[NellieFJ40]

Thanks @Honger

 

[NellieFJ40]

Well my first problem has arisen. Drove the 40 to work this morning and am noticing two issues:

1) Hesitation during acceleration (mostly after changing gears)

and

2) a desire to die at idle. Can be controlled with a bit of choke

From reading around it appears these symptoms are more in line with a vaccum leak than a carb/fuel issue?

I'll check the fuel filter but beyond that will hope that I can get a bit of dumbed down assistance (for my sake) to help identify/fix the problem.

Thanks all!

 

[Dizzy]

Check the float bowl sight glass before the fuel filter.

 

[tls3601]

Had same issues. Some vac leak with shot booster, but Jim C’s rebuild of my Aisin made her purr

 

[NellieFJ40]

Haven't tracked down my issue yet due to an pverall lack of knowledge! I am thinking that this winter I'll have the vehicle desmogged.

I am also havong trick woth my dear ambulance doors. The long rods that attach the matches to the handle keep coming loose and the handle wont open the door from the inside. I've adjusted the rods to be shorter but that didn't seem to help. There is a gold color, spring type part, on the inside of the handle that looks bent. Could that be my problem?

Ill try to post a photo tonight.

Thanks!

 

[White Stripe]

Hesitation may be vacuum advance or carb possibly. Not enough advance can cause stumbling.

 

[NovemberNoLast]

enjoyed your post thoroughly and your truck looks incredible. just wondering what the body work/paint ended up costing? i have similar rust issues and know one day i'll have to deal with them but have no idea what to expect price-wise. thanks.

 

[NellieFJ40]

Hello everyone,

Gonna desmog the vehicle over the winter (or rather @Poser will) but need to get the carb off and sent to jim c.

I'm struggling to remove the 4 nuts that mount the carb. Any tricks to getting a tool in there to loosen them up?

Thanks!

 

[Simcoe]

Trying to remember. I feel like I used a stubby wrench on those annoying carb nuts. Not a whole lot of space in there that's for sure

 

[Utah Bob]

welcome brother. shes got some miles but shes the prettiest girl at the dance cuz shes going home with you.

 

[NellieFJ40]

Thanks @Simcoe! That makes sense as i kept thinking it sure would be nice if these wrenches were shorter.

 

[iptman]

Maybe one of those GearWrench flex head wrenches? Love those things.

 

[overton]

Hello everyone,

Gonna desmog the vehicle over the winter (or rather @Poser will) but need to get the carb off and sent to jim c.

Assuming your rig is factory original and has all the smog gear, I would have Jim rebuild the carb and preserve the smog configuration. FJ40's with complete emission gear are worth more money so de-smogging is also de-valuing your rig. Sure you can save all the stuff that comes off and put it in a box but it rarely if ever get's put back on. Just a thought.

 

[NellieFJ40]

Got the carb off. Had to grind a wrench in half but it worked, thanks!

@overton very interesting. I hadn't considered the value question and perhaps i need tp consider it a bit more. I don't see the vehicle leaving my family's possession ever but you never know.

I'm mostly concerned about making the vehicle as trouble free as a 1976 vehicle can be and removing the smog system seems to send me down that path. That said, i really appreciate your thoughts for consideration.

I'll ponder away!

 

[overton]

The rebuilt carb and chasing down vaccume leaks can make a huge difference. If everthing under the hood is as it should be, She should run great!

 

[NellieFJ40]

All, when I roll down my drivers door window all the way the window crank handle lands right where i happen to rest my knee.

If i were to remove the handle could i change its orientation so that, when fully opened, the handle lands at a different position?

Thanks!

 

[iptman]

Yes.

 

[Honger]

All, when I roll down my drivers door window all the way the window crank handle lands right where i happen to rest my knee.

If i were to remove the handle could i change its orientation so that, when fully opened, the handle lands at a different position?

Thanks!

I have the same problem! Looking forward to hearing someone weigh in... haven't gotten around to trying this idea myself.