1957 CJ5 Willys Build With Problems

Hello all, new to the site but had Jeeps and worked on mechanical stuff for a few years. Below is a link to my build on my brother's local web site www.island4x4.com

http://monkeycage.island4x4.com/showthread.php?t=48457


I bought this 1957 CJ5 with the Hurricane F134 engine for my son's birthday and we have been doing a frame up restoration, everything was original and matching numbers. We are 90% there on the restore but are having some issues. I bought a Painless wiring harness and it is far from "painless"...currently I have a drain on the battery and having a hard time tracking it down. We think it is an ignition wiring problem, not much else in the system it could be...? As we try and start the motor it draws all power from the battery very quickly...???

The engine is a fresh rebuild and again, having issues, we are having a hard time getting it started, turns over fine and almost fires but not quite there. Lots of fuel, good spark, just not sure about timing, it was different than most engines having to set-up the oil pump to the timing. There is a new Solex replacement carb, new starter solenoid, new plug wires, new electronic distributor with new internal ballast coil and a Delco single wire altenator. I know this is not much info to go on but I am willing to expand if anybody wishes to enquire...........thanks, I look forward to "exploring" the site. Jeremy.

 

I'd like to see pics of your cj5.. but dont want to register on the island4x4 site.. can you post pics here ?

I dont have any ideas for your problems.. but, how about calling up the painless wiring people ? I've heard they have good support.

 

I had to register here to have a look...

Just kidding, I will post pics asap.

As far as Painless goes, they are too generic, no specific stuff, they talk about Jeeps from 1942 to 1966 like they were the same thing..............after having posted this I puttered a little and got it running, VERY rough but stayed going at high RPM and got a little hot.....

Battery still draining, I believe I have two issues, timing and an electrical fault/bad ground.......:?

PS. How do I post pictures? If I have to link to a download site then the pictures are linked on the site above, if not, let me know and I will post here, thanks again.

 

For the battery draining.. is something drawing amps while the key is off ? You can trace it by hooking a volt meter to the battery - read the voltage, and pull fuses one at a time.. and after pulling each fuse, if the voltage goes up.. you have found a circuit that is drawing amps.

For pics.. I've always posted my pics somewhere and pasted a direct link for them.

 

If you have the one wire alternator wired direct that will kill the battery. It should be switched from the ignition.

 

Just so's ya knows, Walck's 4WD makes their own harnesses, that ARE authentic replacements for the year you need. Even made with cloth-covered wire with the correct colors and slash marks. I bought one for my '56, and it's pretty impressive. Different than a '57 harness.

For example, my Jeep had the floor starter button, and the "ignition switch" is just an on/off switch, no "start" position, and this 1956 harness is made for this arrangement. For me to use an on/off/start switch with a starter solenoid, and to add turn signals too, I'm going to have to modify the harness. Same with the power wires for the heater, a '56 didn't have a heater or turn signals, didn't need the wires.

All pre-connectorized too, no "cut to length and crimp on connectors".

 

Thanks for all the input, we found the electrical "drain"... the Painless wiring harness was not set-up for the after-market turn signal switch we installed and I incorrectly wired it so basically it was "on" all the time, on top of thatmy main ground lead was not really grounded, when I painted the block I didn't clean off the area the ground lead was connected very well....so with all that sorted out I worked on getting it started, TDC, placed the distributor and checked the position of the rotor, directly inbetween two plug lead posts on the distributor cap, had a 50/50 chance of placing the leads correctly, luckily got it right first time.....

She fired right up and with a slight timing and carb adjustment, she runs well. Ran at 2000rpm for 1/2hr or so with the break in oil, shut her down and checked for leaks etc, dry as a bone, changed the oil and filter out and fired her up again, happy with it so far. Now to work on the rest of the wiring, exhaust system, driver's seat and windshield and she is done!

 

I agree. I have the same set-up no problems.

 

Mine has a GM 1 wire as well, with no problems (minus one alternator that was junk from the get go) Have had it that way for over 2 years. Just the charge wire to the battery.

 

Glad to hear you found your problems. I have finally taken grounds seriously as a real problem when electrical stuff isn't doing what it should. hope you and your son enjoy the jeep.