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Build Thread 1974 CJ5 w\304 build start.

Build Thread 1974 CJ5 w\304 build start.
project74

project74

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Location
Upstate SC
Vehicle(s)
1974 CJ5, 304v8... purchased 8/8/11
Hi all, I have started a build project with my son(14) and daughter(16) WITH A 1974 CJ5 THAT HAS A 304V8 AND POWER STEERING.The previous owner dfid not have it long and may have overstated the engine condition but it did start for with some knocking...I went into this exspecting to do a complete engine build anyway. We will be taking her down to the frame and back up again. The apx. time frame is 15 to 25 months...depending on budget and parts availability. I plan to do as much of the rebuild as possible from dissasembly to metal fab and body work prep for paint.
I have created a member's gallery to view but do not see where I can create a user's gallery of my own in order to separate pictures from different stages of the build (any instructions with this are welcomed).
This is not my first rodeo but I am sure there will be some questions on things I am not familiar with and the Transmission and tranfer cases...etc...and all answers and oppinions are appreciated.
This build was started August 12, 2011.
Later, Ed
 
Glad you decided to post a thread on it Ed. :D I usually upload my pics for my build threads from photobucket.com. Thats easiest for me cause I already used it.

Now onto the Jeep. Im glad you mentioned fab skills and such cause you will be able to put them to use on your 74 CJ5 . Most aftermarket stuff is for 78-86.

Whats the plans for your little friend?? :chug:
 
Hey Petescj,
We are going to take her down to the frame and get everything cleaned up and body blasted to see what we are working with(exactly). there have been alot of incorrect repairs and fixes done to it over the years by previous owners. I did find information on an owner from 2009 and will try to contact for some background info. There is alot of bondo and...white cauking (believe it) that will have to be removed but media blasting will do the rest. I'll keep updating as we go. Thanks for the interest...
later, Ed
 
Love my 74 with AMC 304 ! Looking forward to checking yours out as you go man...

:popcorn:

:chug:
~ JR
 
Re: 1974 CJ5 .....Houston...We Have Separation !!!

8\14\11 I have the body off the frame now, will be pressure washing the chassis and drivetrain before I start the mechanical teardown. Prev. owner a little less than honest about engine condition (expected the worse anyway) when I removed the valve covers (knocking sound when started) I found 2 pushrods for two different cylinders missing. These were either removed from valve cover or have fallen into the intake valley area...will be discovering more issues when I do the engine tear down I'm sure...was planning on complete rebuild anyway.
 
Thats nice, he sold you a V6! I buy allot of older junk, Ive been lied to with a poker face and Ive also figured out that the seller cant distinguish his bottom end from a tea cup, it really is Caveat Emptor. Occasionally I get lucky, but more often than not, wind up with some one elses problem, which is most times why things are for sale.

I know you bought this to restore, so the motor "state" is no big deal, I just thought Id share for those reading. Ive asked point blank " what does it need so it operates like new ?" answer " nothing" get there to buy it and find out its got a blown head gasket, or uses 1 quart of motor oil per 100 miles, the brakes dont work, or its got crazy blow by, rod knocking... just amazing.

The part that always pisses me off, is not so much that the vehicle has not properly represented (I've been blatantly lied too), but Im usually anywhere from 600-2400 miles from home to find this out, after lengthy communication with said seller prior to leaving to inspect/buy the vehicle, thats what really gets my goat, like how the hell did you not know it has zero brakes ? :eek: How am I supposed to drive it home ?????

Im not a gambler, but I guess I am with it comes to buying old project vehicles...
 
UPDATE 9\16\11.
Have completely dismanteld engine and delivered it to a local machine shop. will be doing a 0-030 bore and a mild cam-shaft upgrade. Have discovered 2 broken pushrods and all other pushrods bent. Found evidence of contact of one piston to head and some broken piston rings. Some pistons show wear and broken edges along with physical cracks in piston bodies. One connecting rod bearing was worn almost to the thickness of alumunum foil...Crank shaft shows too much wear to be salvaged as well as the same on cam-shaft. Will be replacing internals with a 0-030 master rebuild kit with cam and crank, will have line-bored if found needed. see pics below if i can get them to upload. While engine is out at machine shop I will begin on frame clean, grind and repair...lots of winter projects ahead.
 
Ouch! With that many problems. Why not consider a 360 swap?

Also, a stock AMC 304 shouldn't have valve / piston contact - the lift is not great enough to facilitate when ':dung:' happens... :)
 
Hey CJ,
Keeping the original stock AMC 304 was the direction I was going. If upgraded to another motor I would have to spend good money on a turnkey engine or put money into same type rebuild for worn down (bigger) engine...
With the stock engine i dont have to fool with changing engine mounts or anything else that would be needed for a swap.
My AMC 304 block appears to have been worked on in the distant past but looks to have never been bored over stock...plenty of meat left on the bone! So we will go the 0-030 route with a mild cam upgrade.
Also this is "supposed to be" a slow project...so after spending for the engine work and rebuild kit I can slow things down over the winter and $ wont seem like it's flowing out so fast.
Afterall, I gave less forn the entire jeep than the motor work will cost.
 
how long did it take you to get the tub off? How did you get the tub off, help from several people?
 
Hey Mag, so far I have done just about everything by myself...as far as the tub...you have to disconnect anything that attaches to, thru it, around it, etc...then you have the body mounts...the normal options for any rusted bolt are wrench, pipe extension on wrench to break, torch and\or cutting wheel.
Look at pic attatched, years ago I bought some helping hands in the way of a 2-post lift!:chug: p.s. it doesnt hurt to have a real strong son...hahaha
 
project74 said:
Hey CJ,
Keeping the original stock AMC 304 was the direction I was going. If upgraded to another motor I would have to spend good money on a turnkey engine or put money into same type rebuild for worn down (bigger) engine...
With the stock engine i dont have to fool with changing engine mounts or anything else that would be needed for a swap.
My AMC 304 block appears to have been worked on in the distant past but looks to have never been bored over stock...plenty of meat left on the bone! So we will go the 0-030 route with a mild cam upgrade.
Also this is "supposed to be" a slow project...so after spending for the engine work and rebuild kit I can slow things down over the winter and $ wont seem like it's flowing out so fast.
Afterall, I gave less forn the entire jeep than the motor work will cost.
Click to expand...
Just an FYI, AMC engines / blocks are all the same, a 360 or 401 would not need an engine mount change.
 
December 13th....Happy Hollidays to all...
Update, Finished all my weld repairs, installed new shackle end spring hangers on all 4 corners, replaced front upper shock mounts, weld-repaired all cracks..mostly looked like result of steering stress or real hard off-roading in the past, frame was a little "tweaked" so I straped to one lift post...heated rail and pulled opposit direction and got her worked out good...I rust prepped and primed the frame this past week and got some epoxy enamel black paint on her....starting to move in the right direction with the build.
later, Ed
 
Happy New Year.
Some slow progress, Have the axles up on saw-horses waiting on parts to arrive. will be doing a complete bearing and seal rebuild on front 30 an rear 44...diffs, axle tubes and spindles. Gotta grind off some poor attempts by P.O. of spring-over-axle locators and clean up exterior of axles and diffs. Rear 44 vent hole was welded shut so I will drill out and re-fit vent tubeing, once these axles are done I can have a rolling chassis and keep moving in the right direction...
later, Ed (12\30\11):chug:
 
CJ said:
Just an FYI, AMC engines / blocks are all the same, a 360 or 401 would not need an engine mount change.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking! :rolleyes:

Pretty cool resto anyway, I'm jealous of the power steering!
 
1\19\12 update.
I have both axles torn down and have the 44 housing cleaned and painted. Now working on removing all old seals and bearings from axles. Looks like they have been there for a while if not since new??? I am cutting thruough the cage and then the inner race of outer tube bearing as well as the solid bearing retainer, then heating with plumber's torch and tapping lightly to loosen with a hammer and flat screw driver placed in new cut groove....so far it's working very well.
All surface of the axle shaft look very good.
I sure do look forward to the day all the "dirty work" is done and I'm bolting on the shiney stuff!
Ed

ps....to MadMax....gotta love your avatar :chug:
 
1\27\12...STILL fighting these axles....Got preload worked out on pinion and carrier for rear 44, dont have a press so having to slowly work the outer axle bearings and solid retainers into place...what a pain!
If I had all the right tools this would go quicker but I would need a much bigger shop.
later, Ed
 
3\13\12
Axles done, diffs restored and painted(finned alum.), brakes rebuilt on all 4 corner with drums freshly turned, waiting on new e-brake cables front and rear, front hoses and new e-brake bars for inside the drums...
Rinsed a little shop dust off the frame to remind me that it DID have a new finnish still on it.
 
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