New build and new to restorations

First CJ5 and just beginning restoration.

49,500 original miles. P/O used it infrequently on his farm and put in the aluminum valve cover. Most of the engine work has been done. New Timing chain, gears, water pump, belts, hoses, plugs, wires, oil pan gasket, fluids, transmission mount some brake work (replaced the passenger rear as a spring broke off and did some grinding), clutch tweaking, etc. Motor mounts need to be replaced and a new clutch wouldn't hurt. These are the before shots taken at the beginning of March, after i drove it 9 hours home - drove, not trailered.

As far as i can tell, it is mostly original. Had side mounted spare tire that P/O moved to the tailgate (tore up the tailgate - holes and warped). Have a receipt that states the decal stripes and a Warn 8274 winch (which i sold) were added in 79. Original owner needed a cane to walk, so he put in the rack on the dash to put his cane while he drove.

Not sure if the paint is original - there are some places down to the red primer and there are a few places that look like there is blue paint under. Original title stated yellow though. More than likely, i won't keep it yellow.

The shots below are from the weekend i got it home and removed the winch. I'll add some new ones shortly. Thanks for looking.

https://picasaweb.google.com/103452630397622908441/1976CJ5?feat=directlink





























Here is one of me showing some bushes who's boss.


-Ren

 

So, yesterday the clutch made a loud pop when depressed as i was starting the jeep. Now the pedal is slack for about 3/4 the way down. The clutch still engages in that last 1/4 and I am able to get it into gears with no problem, but looks like some clutch work is going to happen a little earlier than initially anticipated.

Otherwise, I have driven pretty much everyday since all of the engine work was completed and have loved every second.

 

Overall condition looks great. You'll definitely have a good time working on it. Careful, it becomes an addiction.

 

Good looking Jeep. Should be a fun project.

 

Drove it for a bit with the weak clutch. Yesterday it went totally out. Started prepping to drop the transmission and take care of the clutch. If anyone has a clutch laying around in the central FL area, let me know.

 

Here are some updated shots of the clutch replacement.


clutch cover plate


transmission is out


drive shafts, cross-member, starter, bellhousing, spacer plate, old throwout bearing, clutch fork, old pressure plate and old clutch cover


newly machined flywheel


old throwout bearing, clutch fork, old pressure plate and old clutch cover

cleaning and painting of the bellhousing and transmission and everything should be ready to put back together. Also putting in new motor mounts while transmission and all are out.

Have had quite a few other projects pop up that have kept me from being able to finish. i should have this all done in the next couple weekends. Finishing by this weekend would be nice so i can cruise around for the 4th of july holiday.

Sorry about picture quality. misplaced the digital camera and am using the phone's.

 

i am having trouble tracking down bolts for the flywheel and pressure plate cover from local hardware store. need 6 of each. i stripped a couple of the pressure plate cover's when removing and i figure might as well put in new hardware while i have everything apart.

Anyone know a vendor? i can post pics of each if needed.

thanks.

 

Thanks! I'll give a check there tomorrow.

 

Struck out at Napa. continuing the search. might end up using standard grade 8 1/2"x20 x 1" bolts for the flywheel and buy the pressure plate cover bolts i found online. was really trying to get this all finished up, but may have to wait a bit longer...

 

Still waiting on a couple pieces for the clutch, so i decided to install the new motor mounts yesterday. used the ole' jack under the oil pan method. engine is sitting high and steady now.


Old motor mounts are out. Had to drill out the nut from the bolt as it wouldn't break free and was just turning the whole bolt.


New motor mount is in. diver side.

passenger side.


i also took some pictures of some of the work done back in april.

cleaned and painted diff


engine after the initial work (New Timing chain, gears, water pump, belts, hoses, plugs, wires, etc.)

 

Update on the month long clutch replacement - followed the haynes manual for the torque on the flywheel to crankshaft bolts and ended up stripping one of the holes in the crankshaft plate (where the flywheel mounts) out. the book called for 100-110 ft lbs of torque. does this seem high for such short bolts?

long story short, i have 2 of the bolt holes stripped and a third has a thread sticking out like it is close to stripping. i am relatively new to all of this and my question is what would be the best option moving forward? steel threaded inserts? having the holes welded up, re-drilled and threaded? use of some jb weld to drill and tap?

i have been trying with some helicoil type spring inserts but do not have the hole drilled out big enough.

any advice would be appreciated. i can take some pics if needed too.

 

Great looking Jeep ! I wish I had it.

That sucks about the flywheel bolts.. I'm not sure what to do here myself.. cuz this is a balancing affair going on here. The Fly wheel and harmonic balancer is used to balance the engien's rotating assembly. So.. if you change something there, it may throw something off. I do not know if this would be enough to effect anything. Right now I'm thinking you should up a bolt size on all bolts.. by drilling all of them out and tapping for the new bolt size. Also.. then use some locktight on the bolts to prevent them from coming out next time

 

Thanks for the input bkd and Dan.

So I finished the clutch swap a few weeks ago and what a difference. At the suggestion of my brother in law's mechanic brother, I ended up helicoiling all of the bolt holes in the camshaft flange as the 2 were stripped and a 3rd was close to stripping. Next time i have to remove the transmission, i am just going to take it to his shop and let him deal with it. I honestly had no idea the t18 trans I have was that freaking heavy.

Good news, it seems to be holding up very strong and the engine is running great!

Long story short, it took my pops and I about 6 hours of fighting with the trans to get it lined up and back into the engine.

Now I am thinking about doing the team rush upgrade as i have read the Prestolite ignition systems from 74-77 are pretty weak. Also sounds like there are a few efficiency gains with the upgrade. My ignition module is oozing black gunk, so i figure it must be time to replace.

Pictures to follow... They'll be of the finish as i didn't think to take shots while we were battling to get everything back together.