1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Fino's 58 Wagon

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by FinoCJ, Aug 10, 2019.

  1. Aug 10, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    So here is the 58 Wagon...brought home last night from Rocky Ford, CO.
    [​IMG]

    The biggest concern I have with these wagons is the amount of rust most of them have...this one is certainly not perfect, but it seems to be better than most. Here is the tailgate hinge area:
    [​IMG]

    The roof/rain gutter appears equally as good. The only area with rot is the rear passenger fenderwell:
    [​IMG]
    The driver side rear fenderwell is not perfect, but much better. It needs some clean-up, but shouldn't have to cut and weld any patches.

    Has a saginaw swap with power: Here is the box mount on the inside of the front driver side frame horn:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Along with the saginaw swap is the one piece tie rod set-up, and it uses a two hole knuckle...I don't know what was originally on a wagon - the cjs originally had the two-piece tie rod and single hole knuckle, I assume the wagons did as well? And while I have swapped my cj to a 1-piece tie-rod, I still use a single hole knuckle with the drag link connecting into the tie-rod...this 2-hole set-up seems much better.
    [​IMG]

    I think keys5a was asking about the spring pack...looks like a pretty thick stack of leaves, and one leaf seems thicker than the rest:
    [​IMG]

    More to come as time allows...
     
  2. Aug 10, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Wagon set-up is like that originally. That's why I say it's totally different driving a wagon. Steers better, rides better. Wider, longer and a bit heavier equals more stable.
     
    dozerjim and FinoCJ like this.
  3. Aug 10, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    So one question I do have...is there a good forum for Wagons? I know most of this forum is extremely knowledeable about almost everything jeep, but thought I'd like to have another possible resource, especially for parts etc....I know of the old willys forum: Old Willys Forum
    Is that the best one? I think MickeyKelly is on that one with Wilbur...
     
  4. Aug 10, 2019
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2015
    Messages:
    1,290
    Hey, that looks good. There will always be things to do, but drive and enjoy.:clap:
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  5. Aug 10, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Yeah, Mickey is on there, I am too but it's been ages since I actually got on. As far as I know it's as good as any.
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  6. Aug 10, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,367
    Let me clarify on the steering. On yours the second tie rod was obviously added when the power steering was done. One piece tie rod and 2 hole knuckle is original.
     
    FinoCJ and mike starck like this.
  7. Aug 10, 2019
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    Looks like they did the same placement of the steering box as I did.
     
  8. Aug 10, 2019
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    Messages:
    971
    Oh goody, another project......to watch!:susp::beer:
     
    Dwins1 and FinoCJ like this.
  9. Aug 10, 2019
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,457
    Nice find James!
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  10. Aug 10, 2019
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    Looks like a good one, I'm glad you finally found a wagon!
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  11. Aug 10, 2019
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Looks like a great start! In for more.
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  12. Aug 10, 2019
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    James - does that one have a 327 in it? It sure looks like one that was in the Springs years ago I looked at buying but was about 20mins too late with the money.
     
  13. Aug 11, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Guessing it wasn't the same one, but guess its possible...if the backstory is to be believed, and some of the paperwork does support this, it was owned by the same person/family from 58 till 2013 or so in the Rocky Ford/La Junta area. I believe the man died a couple years earlier, but it stayed with his wife for a few years and was eventually sold at an estate auction when she passed...This auction paperwork I do have - looks like it sold at auction 5 years ago for 4300 or so (guess I overpaid). The buyer was a local couple in the Rocky Ford area that knew the family of the estate and they didn't do much with it. All of the modifications were done by the first owner, and the time frame is unknown. As for the sbc....I am really not very knowledgeable about the different versions, but I thought it looked a bit like a 283 when i saw it, as did a few members here. Donny suggested it might be a 307 iteration...here are some of the pics in this thread - I will get more info in due time and try to find some identification numbers etc:
    http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/i-requested-a-pic-of-the-engine.137883/
     
  14. Aug 11, 2019
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,103
    James, on the right front (passenger side) corner of the engine block, just in front on the head, there is a flat with a stamping. Wire brush it off so you can clearly see the letter number data. With that information, you can clearly identify the engine. Chevy ID information is everywhere on the web.
     
  15. Aug 11, 2019
    dozerjim

    dozerjim Member

    western New York
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2010
    Messages:
    965
    Oldwillys forum is good and I am a member also but don't spend much time there...very good bunch of people here and very active,I have a wagon too and haven't been banned yet...nice find
     
    Dwins1 likes this.
  16. Aug 11, 2019
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    James. I just thought, now you have steering parts for your 70 CJ. :bananatool:
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  17. Aug 11, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    A few more pics as I try to learn more about the sbc...I know almost nothing about sbc's, but some of this seems like it might help with identification from internet lore...and of course, it is possible this engine is a hodgepodge of sbc stuff. Some of the stuff that might help identify:
    1) valve cover mounting bolt alignment - they are offset, indicating older
    [​IMG]

    2) canister style oil filter - indicating older
    [​IMG]

    3) intake manifold:
    Manifold number:
    [​IMG]

    does not have the front oil fill tube and I could not find any indication of a rear breather tube (road draft tube)...this indicates later
    [​IMG]

    4) oil fill is in the driver valve cove...this goes along the #3 and indicates later
    [​IMG]

    5) engine block mounts - the mounts are at the front of the block which was supposed a very early mount style, but given this is an engine swap, maybe it was part of the swap mount.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    melvinm likes this.
  18. Aug 11, 2019
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    Just because your engine is mounted off the front doesn’t indicate an early engine, however the lack of side mount pads would. Should be a triangle of sorts about mid way back on each side. That canister type filter was used until the early 70s.
     
  19. Aug 11, 2019
    melvinm

    melvinm Member

    Arvada Co. 80003
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2012
    Messages:
    196
    The Front Engine Mount is An After Market Item.
     
  20. Aug 11, 2019
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,457
    Does the block have the 3 hole boss for the side engine mounts? If not, I'm going to guess pre 59 and it probably is a 283 although it could also be a 265. Hard to read too much into the intake manifold-to easy to swap. The valve cover oil fill appears home brewed. Welcome to the best tinker toy set ever devised-----
     
New Posts