Reinstalling airbox - how to deal with engine tube?!

[wirehairs]

Hopefully, this will be my last question before all my restoration work is done and I can start riding again! 

I'll be darned if I know how to reinstall the airbox while connecting that engine-to-box tube.  That rubber tube is too short to allow me to attach it before I slip it over the carb intakes, and once that's done, there's no way to reach in there and slip it on.  I give up!   

Please, oh please, explain that one to me!  And telling me to install pods if not a valid answer!   

[FJmonkey]

I gave that up when I lost the air box and installed the UNI pods. But others have used long needle nose plyers to reconnect the tube.

[ribbert]

I find these make it easy, handy for fuel lines and lots of other jobs as well. Straight ones don't work.



Noel

[Pat Conlon]

When I had my airbox, I had the same problem. I took the oem plastic nipple off the bottom and found a brass threaded nipple sized for the crankcase hose at the local Ace Hardware. The brass nipple connected to the hose and was hose clamped secure.
The threaded end of the nipple poked thru the wall of the airbox.
I could easily reach in the open side of the box and install the washer and threaded nut to hold the nipple in place.

I found this to be much easier than dealing with the oem plastic plug.

HTH.   Pat

[mr blackstock]

G'day,
I found installing a new flexible pipe onto the crankcase breather exit a good idea, I used a clear plastic as it was the only one I found to offer enough flexibility to be twisted where I wanted it to go, and being clear I could see of the tube was blocked with oil and crud.  Most plastics stores offer the tube.  It does not need to be petrol proof.  I bought a small breather filter, like the one Randy sells for the end of the breather. I used a bolt to block up the airbox intake.
Solved the problem for good.  Just route the hose and filter where there is space.

Just clean out the filter end a couple of times a year, maybe the hose too.

good luck,
Cheers, Gareth

[wirehairs]

Thanks for the input guys.  I'm going to buy the long handled curved pliers first and give that a shot.  If not, then I'll replace the tube with a longer, more flexible one.  I'll report back on my success or miserable failure!   

[X-Ray]

Yep, that tube is near impossible. On my brothers FJ I extended the tube with some reinforced silicone hose and pushed it through the hole in the air box. Very snug fit, should have no problems.

Seating those damn rubber boots onto the carbs on the other hand.........   

[balky1]

Had the same problem and I used long tweezers and a lot of patience.

I forgot it, is it possible to connect the hose first to the airbox and then on the crankcase?

Ivan

[4everFJ]

I don't really get it?

Why don't you just install the airbox before the carbs? Then you have space.

[balky1]

I don't really get it?

Why don't you just install the airbox before the carbs? Then you have space.

I couldn't do it that way because if I tilted the back end after unscrewing it, the hose was too short. I first had to put everything back together, only then the hose was long enough. It could be possible if you changed the hose and put longer in, but I don't know if it would pinch?
Ivan

[wirehairs]

I didn't install the airbox first because my manual didn't tell me to do it in that order.     I picked up some cheap Harbor Freight long nosed, bent-end pliers, and did manage to succeed in reattaching the hose in about 10 minutes. Yes, still a pain in my tookus, but that's done.

Regarding someone else's question, no, there's no way to install the airbox end of the crankcase ventilation hose first, and then the crankcase end.  All in all, yeah, life would be easier to replace this with a longer and more flexible hose.

[Ed]

Balky, it's probably too late since the weekend has passed and you have likely figured this one out. However, this may help others. The method I use is to first remove the elbow from the air box and install it onto the vent pipe from the engine so that it is back in its original location. Next, install the air box. The elbow should now be just in front of the grommet in the air box. With a flat screw driver, reach down and push the elbow rearward until it clicks into the grommet.