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Help, 86 simple restoration

Started by FJTate, June 10, 2025, 01:42:20 AM

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FJTate

Hello everyone,
I'm going to try to make this short:
-86 FJ bought from original owner
-Sat for 10 years not running
-17K miles, garage kept. Looks sweet.
-Just replaced carbs
-got it started up today and runs killer.
-Has an oil leak I need help with:
Seems to be coming from filter housing, and I just replaced the filter. O-Ring on the K&N was little bigger than housing, but was able to squeeze in.
My question is, do these housings ever warp? Have you had the o-ring be difficult to place? Or what else could be issue, might be pan gasket. Let's hear it. Cheers guys.

Billy Bananahead

Welcome to the forum.
Not heard of a filter housing warping before but what does happen is that the neutral wire gets trapped behind the filter housing when it gets replaced and so it doesn't seat properly causing the oil leak.

T Legg

On my oem oil filter housing the drain screw stripped and started leaking oil  that coated my rear tire while on a ride. Luckily Randy from RPM was on the ride and we were able to make a temporary repair. The next morning I took it by The RPM shop and bought one of their spin on oil filter adaptors which Randy installed for no charge.
Changing oil is much less messy with spin on filters.
  I wouldn't change a pan gasket unless I was sure that it was leaking. Removing the old pan gasket can be a difficult job especially with the engine in the bike.
T Legg

86FJNJ

I've been restoring an 86 I got 10 months ago that sat for 15 years, from the 2nd owner. So similar situation. I fully agree with TLegg to get the RPM spin on oil filter, way easier and no worry on leaks. Links below.

Also if you didn't know, you can reverse the gas tank on the bike when working on the carbs or taking valve cover off, it bolts right into the same mounts when reversed. I just converted my 86 to have a fuel pump so not sure how well a gravity fed 86 will run with tank reversed but it's worth a shot, way easier than disconnecting everything and putting the tank somewhere else each time you need to get in there.


https://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=spinonfilteradapter&cat=39

https://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SpinOnOilFilter
1986 FJ1200 converted to Fuel Pump

FJTate

Man, you guys are awesome, I have to get the spin on filter. I will update when it comes in. Thanks!

red

Tate,
the spin-on oil filter is the way to go, no doubt.
To find an oil leak, clean away any visible oil and spray that area with aerosol body powder.  The leaking oil will blacken the white powder at the leak before the oil can go everywhere.
How old are the tires?
Tire Age Decoder
Cheers,
Red

P.S. Life is too short, and health is too valuable, to ride on cheap parade-duty tires.

FJTate

Red,
Thanks so much, I found the leak, but have no idea what this thing is or where to find it. See attached picture, it's leaking big time that the seal in between the filter housing and the sprocket. Let me know your thoughts. Tires are brand new (Metzler) I haven't been able to ride it yet because it leaks about a quarter quart every minute it runs, no leak when not running. The shaft is just behind the "hydraulic unit" or at least that's what the manual calls it. Something to do with the braking system.

Pat Conlon

This has been answered in your other post.
1) Free Owners Manual download: https://tinyurl.com/fmsz7hk9
2) Don't store your FJ with E10 fuel https://tinyurl.com/3cjrfct5
3) Replace your old stock rubber brake lines.
4) Important items for the '84-87 FJ's:
Safety wire: https://tinyurl.com/99zp8ufh
Fuel line: https://tinyurl.com/bdff9bf3