My 1955 Willys Project

Since bringing my new project home I have spent all of my weekends dismantling, cleaning, buying parts (I really like ordering parts from Walck's), and day dreaming about driving down a country road--perhaps Black Bear Pass with my Willys in somewhat stock form!

Over the years I have grown so tired of the big Jeep's (I'm not being a hater!), massive high-tech modifications, 42-inch M/T's, and big horsepower, I just want to putt and mosey on down the trail and settle back into life as a Jeep "enthusiast" again!

I'm thoroughly enjoying working on my Willys on the weekends knowing I don't have to meet some damn editorial deadline right after I make some progress, or write about the biggest-and-bestest performance part that just came out--life is back to normal! My girlfriend is also in full support and helping out, she is asking what she can help me with. My goal is to have it up and running around in good working order (not looking) by 4th of July so we can tool around Huntington Beach and the parade.

Best of all, someone mentioned on this forum that if I bring the old Willys back to life I'll surly be going to Jeep Heaven--so I have that going for me too!


The Willys on the way home from Northern California. It was in bad shape, but it ran. I have to chuckle, when I was looking at it, and owner was trying to start it I was thinking "man do I really want this pile." I thought about saying "I'll be right back, I have to get something out of my truck," then driving away.


The old girl had a hydraulic system on the front and a tank for the fluid on the drivers side!



The passenger side of the engine didn't looks so bad.


The hydraulic fluid tank removed from the engine compartment.


This is what everything looked like under the fluid tank, geezzzzz.


Making some progress, and after a few weekend of cleaning, scrubbing and scrapping.


I literally scraped off pounds of grit, grime, dirt, and grass that was caked with old hydraulic fluid.



The original wiring was shot, I don't know how the prior owner said he drove it around, but I saw the Willys run so I guess!


This is what happens to old evil wiring. I purchased a new harness from Walck's and I am super impressed with its quality.


Some quick redneck frame off restoration and new body mounts/pads.


so there was a fuel pump under the gunk, I hope it works!

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k192/BetterKev/Willys Engine Work/14NewMotorMounts.jpg

New motor mounts were definitely needed.


I pulled the front apart for better access to clean, fix, and restore. Notice that the broken frame rails were repaired with angle iron, just bolted on. I love the metal shock posts! I picked up some rectangular tubing and will be welding it on in a week or two.


New water pump installed.



The oil filter can before and after!


There's always a busted thermostat housing bolt on old vehicles!


The carb is staring at me.



Sunday morning fun, I am glad I decided to take the carb apart, the were a couple of parts resting on the bottom of the float bowl.


Happy again, I hope it runs!


Air cleaner work.


I love the reproduction decals.


Looking good, need to get to the distributor.


Looking good, I test ran a beige on the firewall, I am thinking of painting the tun the old Coronado Sand color, from '53 I think.


Damn good chicken, try it!

 

That Jeep sure is cleaning up nice, I especially like the stickers on the filters.fb