Cali emissions junk

[UglyCreep]

Even though I'm here in the clean, clear midwestern air I've got a California emissions compliant FJ. Is it reasonable to remove the extra plumbing and canisters to simplify the thing? I'm trying to get the thing to start easier and I'm sure most of the issues are carb and perhaps weak battery issue, but I'm wondering if all the extra vacuum lines and connections could play a part if not working 100%. Secondly, would an '87 have a fuel pump? May be dumb or obvious question because I don't see one listed anywhere on the parts listing. There's a small unit that's part of the California emissions piping that at first glance looks as if it would be a pump, clicks when key is "on", but is listed as a "filter" and it's only on the California model, so I'm assuming it's not the actual fuel pump. If I could eliminate it it would make carb fiddling a bit easier since the bracket it's mounted with blocks the bowls of #'s 3 and 4. I have to admit, with the Uni pods it's the easiest four cylinder bank of carbs I've had to work on  . Thanks again ahead of time. Love the forum, informative and entertaining!

[simi_ed]

You could remove the CA emissions stuff, but it's really not worth it, IMHO.  You have 2 charcoal canisters, a pair of solenoid valves & some extra plumbing/lines.  This IS NOT the cause of any running problems, unless you have a vacuum leak from the hose off #2 intake manifold to the solenoid (I don't remember where it lives, under the airbox?). 
Sorry, I'd look elsewhere for your driveabilty issues.

Ed

[Arnie]

The 87 didn't have a fuel pump.  IF you did have a fuel pump it would be located behind the right sidecover and would be the first connection of the fuel hose from the tank.

Cheers,
Arnie

[UglyCreep]

Thanks, guys. That keeps it down to the carbs and battery. I checked out the battery and it seems to have a good charge as per Arnie from a maintenance posting, so I think I'm back to biting the bullet and giving the carbs a thorough cleaning. There is one open T right next to the solenoid that I'm guessing went to the original airbox, but now with pods it vents to the atmosphere. Once running it runs good, just a bear to get started. I know it's not too far off, though. 23 year old bike, bound to need some wrenching!

[RichBaker]

Best way to check the battery is measure cranking voltage when it's fully charged...... if the voltage drops below 9V, it's toast. Put it on the charger overnight, static voltage should be 12.8-13.2V.

[Mark Olson]

rip the cali stuff off , don't need it. causes weird running problems.

[UglyCreep]

So, I was losing my mind a little. Charged the battery all night, pulled carbs and replaced all the float valve o-rings, ran fuel into it from remote source and bammo! Starts right up and runs like a charm. Get all excited, put the tank on (checked petcock and it works as should) started her up, all good then I shut it down and fuel pouring from the air filters! After much cursing and removal of the tank, went back to the funnel into fuel line: no issues. I was all ready to add a shut off in line before the carbs and thought, "hey, it only starts to flood after I plug in the vent pipe in the very front of the tank". It appears to be part of the Cali emissions stuff, so obviously not vital to running as long as there's no unnecessary vacuum leaks, so I plugged every thing in except that hose and voila! Starts and runs beautifully. I guess it may have been creating some sort of pressure in the tank forcing fuel under pressure past the float valves until it was equalized. The possible pooling of raw fuel where it shouldn't might have been keeping it from firing, and by the time the thing cleared out a little the spark was weakened from cranking making it very difficult to fire. Anyway, long story short, back on the road and smooth as ever. Back to my happy place!