FJ40 I call Shipwreck

[SuperBuickGuy]

fun, if it worked today, I could have used it to help someone out up on Naches.
getting there, though

replace alternator

installed

Premier sent a cool cover for free, can't use it... ah well, thanks guys

[SuperBuickGuy]

back to the welder. ummm... neat new, smaller box, template needs some work, though

easy enough to make one

and they blind studs... well, I'm not a fan - tomorrow rivnuts

[SuperBuickGuy]

oil leak. This is a new one on me so I'm posting - wasn't going to.
It was leaking oil from the valve cover onto the intake

notice the mission stanchion?

tacked back in place... it was odd because I've never seen one come apart like that - the motor was making an occasional ticking (like lifter rattle) but not always

[SuperBuickGuy]

this is kind of giving up but not really.

I bought a welder for the '40

I still have the system I built - but I don't completely trust it, and since the FJ40 has all sorts of electronics in it that could be toasted by a faulty charging system, I called an audible and decided I'll put it on the Blazer (which doesn't have any electronics necessary to keep it running).

I already learned the Premier uses 3 rectifiers instead of just the one I'm using now - and talked about it to my electronic experts and I'll be adding that to my system for the Blazer...

anyway, as the '40 is my only running vehicle, I'm not taking it apart to install the welder until either my 1 ton gets running or the Colorado gets home

[SuperBuickGuy]

found the leaks.... a factory-crimped p/s return hose.... added a worm clamp though at some point I'll have to do it right (unless it works then heck with it).



and the sensor is leaking



this isn't my first rodeo - thus I have spares

[SuperBuickGuy]

In today's fun, I took my '40 for a drive last night to verify everything is working fine.. and it's not. It's overcharging (not terrible, but not good either), and now I have an oil leak. I didn't do anything in the engine compartment but oil leak... check

it's a weird spot - after all, there is no oil above it... then I remembered air cleaner... but no, it's dry

tightened up the valve cover bolts (and they were a bit loose) and throw some prayers at it

will take it for a spin tomorrow to verify it's fixed..... not sure

[SuperBuickGuy]

and this will fade into the background for a bit.... I'm waiting for the control box I designed for the welder - so for now, time to wheel it

[SuperBuickGuy]

Probably more work than I'm going to do so I guess I'll live with what looks sorta like lawn with a gravel underlayment.

Ground Clear works but it's laughable how little of the "one year weed free" promise is actually true (maybe a month)

[DanStokes]

better living through chemicals. That said, what most don't see is every 5-10 years, we remove the gravel, wash it out, then replace it... grass can't grow where there is no dirt. Underneath all, the previous owner lay down grass block - thus most of what you see is about 6" of gravel over weed block (aka black plastic). We are about due to replace all the curbing and gravel... wooflippinhoo

Probably more work than I'm going to do so I guess I'll live with what looks sorta like lawn with a gravel underlayment.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Dumb question: How do you keep vegetation out of your gravel? I've had zero luck other then dosing it with Roundup several times a year (not worth the effort) and was wondering why yours looks so good.

better living through chemicals. That said, what most don't see is every 5-10 years, we remove the gravel, wash it out, then replace it... grass can't grow where there is no dirt. Underneath all, the previous owner lay down grass block - thus most of what you see is about 6" of gravel over weed block (aka black plastic). We are about due to replace all the curbing and gravel... wooflippinhoo

[DanStokes]

In today's episode of 'why is the driveshaft hanging up' I channeled my inner Project Wrong way by 'fixin' it

on the other side of the t-case, we had a leak... no more

and took it for a spin tonight.... works great.

Dumb question: How do you keep vegetation out of your gravel? I've had zero luck other then dosing it with Roundup several times a year (not worth the effort) and was wondering why yours looks so good.

[SuperBuickGuy]

In today's episode of 'why is the driveshaft hanging up' I channeled my inner Project Wrong way by 'fixin' it

on the other side of the t-case, we had a leak... no more

and took it for a spin tonight.... works great.

[SuperBuickGuy]

well, time to install

rear driveshaft in... silly me put the foot on the lift so it is in a direct line with the front driveshaft..

not done but at least it can move under its own power

[SuperBuickGuy]

I should be driving this tomorrow
but first, center shaft

it was every bit the pain I remember from last time I did this

shiny bit installed

and pretty much ready to go in

almost in

[SuperBuickGuy]

the fun continues (and never ends)
now with the right backlash

oh but we're not done, somehow this managed to increase in size so it wouldn't go into the case - whipped out the lathe and fixed it but still puzzled

half filled case

and now with shiny cover on half filled case