What Did You Do To Your Jeep Today?

My old 33x10.50 BFG MT's finally gave up(one separated) so I bolted on the 33x12.50's skins slated for the YJ I'm putting together. These will work until I figure out what I'm going to put on it.

 

Got back at the 231 tonight. None of the FLAPS had oil pan gasket last week so didn’t get anything done before we left for Bluegrass Festival over the weekend.



Tonight I started with the oil pan gasket and got the engine installed and mostly ready to test run.



I have maybe an hour of work to make it run then another hour getting the radiator installed. another 10 minutes of Cam break-in. Then several hours of other assembly.

I’m sure hopeful that I got rear main seal right this time.

 

What seal? I'm having much better luck with the Enginetech seal vs the FelPro. Its a few thous tighter.

 

It was a FelPro. I think my biggest issue was the cavities on the sides of the main bearing block. One side had an air pocket and one side the RTV didn't ever cure past about the first .25" . I wiped 80% or the the RTV out with my finger a week after I installed it.

 

Crazy as it sounds when doing the all rtv method without using the supplied side seals, after injecting the rtv insert toothpicks soaked in water. Similar to driving the steel pins in the rubber side seals. Cut them off flush then.

 

I used a wet wire and re-wet the wire coated with RTV, poked it around a few times. Instructions from Lockman. Didn't ever hear of the wet toothpick method but I'd guess that would be very effective. Hopefully will not have to pull this engine a fourth time to try it!!

 

I looked under the blue 6 because I saw and smelled gas. when I got it up on the lift and looked under it, I found this

Probably why the fuel pump was leaking at the fitting.

 

Torque, raw Dauntless torque.

 

After running the engine last nigh, bringing up to temp 2x, there is zero oil on the floor this morning,!!

 

Is there any oil in it?

 

Good question...I put oil in it... but I'll check.

 

I finished up all the adapters for the Ford NP435 to Rover LT230 T/C. Cleaned up and painted the Tranny.

Then did a final assembly and made up a bracket for the High/Low range and 4X4 levers. I found

a 5/8" shoulder bolt to pivot the levers on. I then made up a pair of levers that look like the Dana 18 levers, and should fit the same Dana 300 twin stick biit I'm using.

 

The Bestop that I thought was on back order actually came in a few days ago. I was planning to wait until this fall to put it on but I had to see what it looked like. Turned out pretty well I think.

 

I got a little more done this afternoon. After the paint dried on the T/C levers. I got them installed and found a castle nut the was the correct size and pitch, so I drilled the pivot shaft for a cotter pin.

I found a pair of red knobs that had been sitting a box for decades. Not my first choice, but I had them in stock.

In the same box was a chrome T handle that I had to make a 1/2" by 3/8" adapter for. But there again, (In Stock).

Now I need to figure out a sling that will balance this monster and use the overhead hoist with a chain through the floor to install it.

 

x2 please.

 

I called them directly and told them what I had. Here’s a pic of the page from the instructions that came with the top that shows the part number. This top came with the two piece doors included. Price out the door was $1256.36. They are doing a price increase that goes into effect early April. The one I bought is called “Black Denim”

 

Here's Bestop's web page for the early CJ5 SuperTop: https://www.bestop.com/products/sup...p-1955-1975-cj5-willys-1952-1962-m38a1-clear/

 

She’s back, baby!!
Made a 30 mile round trip to Mod Pizza and it felt like I just drove her yesterday. So good to have her back on the road.