1977 FJ40 Colonel Mustard

wesintl · Dec 23, 2025

This all started with Wyatt’s 40. We found a 75 rolling chassis and used the frame. Now we had an 83 2F (the 75 had an 83 2F in it) engine sitting on the garage floor. What does any sane Land Cruiser owner do? Look for a cruiser to put it in!!

My holy grail has always been a 78 mustard yellow. Casually been looking for a bit even mulling over late model 40s but it had to be rust free.

Pz10420 · Dec 23, 2025

What does any sane Land Cruiser owner do? Look for a cruiser to put it in!!

I was considering buying that nice looking fj55 bench someone has for sale, cause then I would be forced to buy a 55 to put it in...

wesintl · Dec 23, 2025

We happened across a 40 that was covered up but Wyatt could tell from the wheels and asked what’s that? “NOT For Sale”

Well, that’s fine but what is it. "A 77 mustard yellow FJ40". Our interest was piqued. “It has a bad engine”, wait what? Let’s see it. I have an engine and we just did all this with Wyatt’s. I haven’t seen a rear sill this original and rust free in some time. The dash was amazing too, original AM Radio. His original plan was to fix it and sell it.

MDH33 · Dec 23, 2025

Excellent! Where/how did you find it?

wesintl · Dec 23, 2025

Well, you know how it is, in this situation they find you. I knew what he had, he knew what he had.

It needs an engine, all the rubber, headliner, window runs, seats recovered, and suspension. I’ve enjoyed working on Wyatt’s and even more so driving it. We talked about it for a few months. It deserves to be back in the road. With wyatts truck on my resume he knew we were serious and could get it done. At the end of the day we made a deal. He entrusted me to get her running again and enjoy it.

MDH33 · Dec 24, 2025

Looking forward to the build, keep the pics coming!

wesintl · Dec 26, 2025

We drug it home and I cleaned up a few things

wesintl · Dec 27, 2025

The plan for the motor is to use the new 2f and block and head and all the accessories off the 77 and make it look period correct.

Colonel Mustard died due to #6 spun bearing. My best guess is the oil pan strike broke the oil pump pickup and starved engine of oil. You can see the heat marks on that part of the crank.

wesintl · Dec 27, 2025

All the emission gear was in tact

cbmontgo · Dec 27, 2025

Wow. That is a clean 40.

I’m partial to mustard ‘77s as well.

wesintl · Dec 27, 2025

I love your 40 and Mukkers!

Johnny Utah · Dec 28, 2025

Loving this! I’ve always been partial to mustard 40s! One of my favorite 40 colors.

shellb · Dec 28, 2025

Same! I got to see it yesterday…it’s a super clean 40. Going to be awesome when done!

mukker4life · Dec 28, 2025

Thanks guys, mine is currently getting a little love down at classic cruisers. ‘76 though
Love the stock skinny wheels

View: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSdLRfojtP4/

rover67 · Dec 30, 2025

Wow that’s a sweet project nice score you guys. Excited to see it get a new lease on life

OilHammer · Dec 31, 2025

Suddenly craving some giant pretzel. Nice mustards!

wesintl · Jan 8, 2026

I committed to having the engine in a going on the first but parts slowed me down over the holidays. One item I forgot about was the trans input seal. I could have had the engine stabbed but I decided to wait on a few parts.

I really wanted to use the oem carb off the 77. The shafts were frozen solid and every orfice was clogged with sticky varnish. Like every jet! I soaked the carb in 2 stoke with a lot of wd40 added to the mix. After about a week the shafts turn butter smooth. The jets are another thing the sticky varnish I’ve gotten mostly out through multiple rounds of untra sonic parts cleaning. The power valve had to go back into the 2 stroke mix and is now moving. Next is soaking the carb body in naphtha get more varnish. Depending on that I might go to acetone. I’ve actually read pine sol works too, lol

In the mean time I replace the pop out window gasket and the ambi door window gaskets. Hope to have the engine in this weekend.

wesintl · Jan 17, 2026

77 Carb fully rebuilt, brought it back from the dead. The sticky varnish was the worst I’ve ever seen. I had to do multiple rounds of carb cleaner in ultrasonic. Then did pinesol in the ultrasonic then back to carb cleaner. Turned out really well and all the orfaces are free and clear. I had to buy a Napco carb kit since they have a power valve in the kit. The existing one a got working really well but I think the shaft was slight bent and could stick when fully engaged. I didn’t want to risk it.

Helps to have the right OEM tools for the job!

wesintl · Feb 8, 2026

Project dirt dauber runs and driver under her own power. 83 2f with big cap dizzy and ignitor but the carb is the OEM high altitude 77.

wesintl · Feb 8, 2026

It took me a couple hours to figure out fuel delivery. Blew out the lines. The 77 fuel pump on the 83 engine had the spacer so it wasn’t pumping. That took a little bit to remember. A fuel pump with 2 lines- no spacer, 3 lines must have a spacer. Remove the spacer. Once pumping the fuel the bowl wasn’t filling. Finally took the carb top off and tried to blow through the inlet with the float down, nada. Once I adjusted the arm that touches the needle I could blow through the inlet. Popped the top back on the carb and she runs without a funnel in the carb

1977 FJ40 Colonel Mustard

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