I have a '76 FJ40, and I have a heck of a problem. When I get up on the highway, the engine doesn't get fuel. Actually, any time it;s under heavy load. We've looked into it, and by looking at the filter we'ver figured out that there's either a lot of air getting into the line or there's just no fuel going through. Here's the thing: We've replaced the tank, the pump, the filter, and all of the rubber fuel line. Has anyone heard of a similar problem? My personal opinion is that it's the metal line, but mechanics have said that the line looks fine.

Also, every time i take it into the shop for a couple days, it comes out working fine, then aboutr a week later it's up to it's old tricks again. This is REALLY starting to bug me since it's plagued me the entire time I've owned my rig.

Dose the crusier die,spudder, or has a lean backfire? how have you neared it down to a fuel problem dose any of the lines pass next to the exhaust, especially the metal one just because your in Alaska dosen't mean it won't vaper lock if the metal line passes next to the exhast.

Have you checked the float level in the carb...:skull:

I had a similar problem, then i put on a new carter afb and a holly red fuel pump....now it runs excellent......

Sorry, shoulda been more specific. I wrote that message on my way out the door this morning.

I'll start over from the beginning, I guess.

When I first got my 'Cruiser, it ran fine for abotu a week. Then, when I got up to about 65, it would start to sputter, and i would hear a backfire if i kept my foot on the gas, and it would shake like the engine was trying to switch between pushing and pulling really fast. If i were to let my foot off the gas at the first sign, it wouldn't happen.

Well, every time I've taken it into the shop, it's worked well for a couple of weeks afterwards then started again. I've replaced the fuel tank, filter (many times on the filter before the new tank, once since then), fuel pump, and the fuel line (I just bypassed the metal line today to try that, found I can run an entirely new fuel line in under 20 minutes :D). Nothing's seemed to help.

My exhaust comes out right behind the driver's side door, which is on the opposite side fo the rig as the gas tank.

Oh, and I've also had the distributor replaced twice (the old one was about dead, and then the new one seized under warrenty-it opened up too much and sheared it's pin, we sent it back and got a new one)

Also, one of the things that I kinda notice is that if the vehicle sits, it doesn't happen quite as bad. It used to be much more noticeable before, but now it's about the same regardless.

Oh, and when it starts acting up again, it gets progressively worse over several days until i finally have to stop driving it (which is not really an option, but i can usually find a ride if i have to).

I ended up leaving it at a shop tonight since I didn't want to try driving home on the highway and then back again in the morning...I have an appointment at about 1pm tomorrow (wednesday) to go in and take their mechanic for a spin to demonstrate the problem, what should i ask him about?

Forgot a few things:

1. What's an AFB?

2. The reason I thought it was fuel was because it seems to 'run out', if you know what I mean...It's like it would burn the fuel out of the line, then start acting up. Also, I noticed a LOT of air going through my fuel line, hence the complete replacement of that.

3. Anyone think it's a bad idea to just leave the metal fuel line disconnected? I kinda feel a little more secure knowing it's all brand new hose and everything...

Check the fuel cut-off solenoid, if it's a (stock) Aisin carb. It's powered by switched 12V, and when grounded opens up. You'll hear it click if you power it and ground the body.

What shape is the carb in? Considered a rebuild? Does it dribble fuel in the bowl or spray a mist? How does the accelerator pump look?

Mark Whatley (cruiser@mtaonline.net) is in Palmer, AK. He's a cruiser guru and he might be able to help you.

If it's a V8 then I'm not much help, I only know a little about 2Fs and Aisin carbs.

Morgan

It's the stock six, but I think a couple of mods might have been done to it, since it had a paper where it said it was dyno'd at 125hp @3000rpm, and if I'm not mistaken, the 2f is rated for 135@4600...adding 1600rpm would add more than just 10hp, I would expect.

I went out to Cruisers Only once before for a steering problem (dropped the stabilizer on a log, thought I'd blown the box out).

My biggest problem with going to his shop is I really don't want to drive 65-70 miles at 40-45 mph. The shop I have it at now seems pretty good, they were recommended by the shop we usually go to (I would go there, but they don't work on imports). If it comes to a carb rebuild (which I wouldn't be surprised if I needed), I might see what Whatley might be able to do.

Speaking of him, have you seen his rig? He's getting something like 195hp out of his 2f! (course he lives out there where they don't have to pass im's...there is NO WAY that thing would pass ANYWHERE else :D)

I went through a similar "mystery" experience like this. It turned out that I was missing (among other things) the banjo fitting on the carb for the fuel return line. When I replaced the carb, it had a different fitting and I just plumbed the line straight in. That's when I had problems. The banjo fitting is necessary because it keeps a bit af backpressure on the returning fuel and keeps enough in the bowl. Put a banjo fitting in and it worked great. Symtoms were very similar to yours but I noticed it the most going up hill. Without the banjo fitting, at full throttle I could run the fuel bowl dry.

Got my 'Cruiser back from the shop today. Apparently the mechanic tested it by going to lunch w/ it...goody...

"It's the condenser, it was too big and fried the points".
Granted, the points did turn out to be fried, but when I got it out on the highway (first thing I did, actually), it still ran like crap.

So, I went home, called Mark Whatley, and drove it out to his place. Looks like it needs a carb rebuild. Oh, well, I guess. I'm still running a smaller year-over-year repair bill than my dad's Durango...and I get better milage, too :D