Looking good Mike - great progress!!
Builds Won a '74 40 on a coin toss... (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter ginmtb
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ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #502
So interesting - I drove the cruiser quite a bit this weekend so I could lower the mysteriously disappearing radiator fluid. This was so I could do the block test to see if I had a leaky head gasket (and not go through the draining process). I decided to change out my radiator cap with the new one that came with my overflow kit. Later that night after it cooled down I opened it up and radiator fluid was right at the top!
Could it be I just had a leaky cap? I will keep a close eye on it. The previous cap did look pretty tired. That sure would be a nice and easy fix!
Could it be I just had a leaky cap? I will keep a close eye on it. The previous cap did look pretty tired. That sure would be a nice and easy fix!
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #503
Did a little POR15 work today. That stuff is messy as advertised.
The last one is the new welded in fender inserts. Was lazy and didn't take off the wheels but I think I got everything pretty good. Not looking forward to when I tackle the cleaning of the underside and putting POR15 on as much as I can...
The last one is the new welded in fender inserts. Was lazy and didn't take off the wheels but I think I got everything pretty good. Not looking forward to when I tackle the cleaning of the underside and putting POR15 on as much as I can...
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #504
So I was checking out some threads on the washer fluid tank and pump. I turned the switch on mine to test it out but no action on the pump. So I decided to take everything out and check it out. First of all there was some serious growth in the tank. Quite chunky actually. Guessing that hadn't been touch in many years. So I got that reasonably clean and is currently filled with bleach water.
The pump was rusty and I could not get the little screws off to look inside. So I cleaned it up, sanded the contacts, and then used my trusty 12V wall wart to test it out. It started to move but then stopped. Thought I had the polarity reversed so tried that. No luck. Switched it back to the original configuration and I let it sit for a bit. Finally it freed up and started spinning and sounded strong! Now I just need to replace the plastic tubing and I should have a nice working windshield sprayer.
I decided too to dress up the metal part of it with some anti-rust treatment to make it look purdy.
The pump was rusty and I could not get the little screws off to look inside. So I cleaned it up, sanded the contacts, and then used my trusty 12V wall wart to test it out. It started to move but then stopped. Thought I had the polarity reversed so tried that. No luck. Switched it back to the original configuration and I let it sit for a bit. Finally it freed up and started spinning and sounded strong! Now I just need to replace the plastic tubing and I should have a nice working windshield sprayer.
I decided too to dress up the metal part of it with some anti-rust treatment to make it look purdy.
I'm surprised it was fixable. I ended up dissecting my motor, and found all kinds of crud and rust on the electrical windings.
It should work in ACC position.
You're talking about the ignition switch or the wiper switch?
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #510
Wiper switch. It turns on the wipers but doesn't get voltage to the pump. I read somewhere on this forum that another person had the same issue and cleaned up some corrosion on his switch and all was good again. Also lack of use apparently was an issue... 
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #511
Is it me or does painting take forever? Well I almost have my bumper ready to put back on. Needs a slight touch up and clear coat and all will be good.
I'm also very close to putting the metal panels on the back of the chairs too - they turned out pretty good. I used a slight skim coat to level out some of the sharper dents and simply pushed out some of the smoother dents - the metal is pretty thin so it is easy to bend. Again awaiting a clear coat and new screws and washers.
Did some other miscellaneous painting including the spare tire holder, painting over the POR15 that is exposed at the front bumper, the triangle shaped bumper mounting pieces, and hooks. I coated the winch rollers with silver Mastercoat - the rollers had some rust on it so figured better than nothing. I will probably go with a nylon rope for my winch so it might hold up okay. Again better than nothing and it definitely looks better.
I'm also very close to putting the metal panels on the back of the chairs too - they turned out pretty good. I used a slight skim coat to level out some of the sharper dents and simply pushed out some of the smoother dents - the metal is pretty thin so it is easy to bend. Again awaiting a clear coat and new screws and washers.
Did some other miscellaneous painting including the spare tire holder, painting over the POR15 that is exposed at the front bumper, the triangle shaped bumper mounting pieces, and hooks. I coated the winch rollers with silver Mastercoat - the rollers had some rust on it so figured better than nothing. I will probably go with a nylon rope for my winch so it might hold up okay. Again better than nothing and it definitely looks better.
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #514
Okay took apart the pump, cleaned it up and all seems good for now! I just need to replace the sprayer nozzle since mine basically disintegrated when I tried to detach the existing hose from it... Clearly they didn't care how loud the little pump is since it is still quieter than the engine... barely. It's pumping water though through the hose!
It's pumping water though through the hose!
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #515
Picking off little things here and there... Got my brake warning light to work! Pretty simple really just needed to work the parking brake switch a few times.
Unfortunately I do have a leak in my newly repaired windshield washer tank/pump. Put some silicone around the seal between the pump and the tank to see if that will take care of the problem.
Unfortunately I do have a leak in my newly repaired windshield washer tank/pump. Put some silicone around the seal between the pump and the tank to see if that will take care of the problem.
It's interesting to see what the differences in climate produce in terms of wear-and-tear on components. I removed my washer bottle and pump from my rig almost immediately because the pump didn't work from the switch. Cleaned up the pump, opened the top and found a pristine motor armature. Put it back together... tested it with a battery... it hums like a champ. Gave it a coat of black spray paint and she's ready to be re-installed...
This, also, is so different than what I found. The contacts on the switch were oxidized to a very dark color and the whole thing had a thick coat of dust on it. I took it all the way apart and again found a pristine interior. Re-lubed, reassembled, and wire-brushed my contacts.
My truck lived in a very dry place... and very dusty. I'm not finding near the gunk you are.
Anyway, great build thread and I love the story of how you found your rig. I'll be following along as you make her your own.
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #517
@Honger have you reinstalled your pump? Mine works great but as I posted in a new thread it leaks like crazy out the back through one of the vent holes. Wonder if a seal inside is the issue. Or it's just old...
I'm tempted to drill out the fasteners and check out the bottom section. Maybe there is something in there that needs addressing. Or I just plug up the rear vent hole and cross my fingers...
Thanks for the nice comments!
I'm tempted to drill out the fasteners and check out the bottom section. Maybe there is something in there that needs addressing. Or I just plug up the rear vent hole and cross my fingers...
Thanks for the nice comments!
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #518
Okay so I'm just about finally done with the front bumper. Spent WAY too much time on that. But it is looking really good and will make my cruiser whole again!
And my seat backs turned out really good - I'm super happy with them. The T145 paint code looks great! Love the metallic - the clear coat really makes it pop!
And my seat backs turned out really good - I'm super happy with them. The T145 paint code looks great! Love the metallic - the clear coat really makes it pop!
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #519
Found leaking pump solution:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/early-windshield-leaky-washer-pump-repair.806765/
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/early-windshield-leaky-washer-pump-repair.806765/
ginmtb
'74 FJ40 - my first!
- Thread starter
- #520
Okay finally got around to painting the rear quarters! Jeeze that took forever. I've come to the conclusion that painting pretty much sucks (or maybe it's just me who sucks at it). I think it will look good once I hit it with a super light wet sand and buff job. Will last me for awhile - that will buy me some time on deciding whether to get it painted.
The paint was a pretty good match!
The paint was a pretty good match!
