Build Thread 85 CJ7 Rebuild, Labor of Love

[Ultrunner]

Looks good and Fall Is In The Air...

Thanks! Yeah, the leaves are really coming down. I’ll be raking soon


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[Ultrunner]

That is a bump stop for your front axle. Some D30s (I can't remember what years) had a bigger piece of metal on it horizontal to the ground and it would strike that extra mount up front if the axle went up too far.

I had one on my frame, but my Dana 30 didn't have that extra tang to it, so I cut off the mount when I did my 351w swap.

That’s helpful info. I’m gonna go ahead and say, if my suspension is flexing enough for the differential to contact that bump stop, other things are broken.

Ima go ahead and cut that bracket out to make room for the 350 motor mounts.


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[Ultrunner]

Small Victories.

I was researching something about my rebuild and ended up down the internet rabbit hole only to come across a picture of a CJ7 gas tank and skid plate. I noted the photo stated it was a factory 20gal setup.

I had been set to purchase the MTS 21gal tank, but something triggered me to take a second look at the tank and skid plate that I pulled from mine. It was a match to the photo. So just like that, BOOM! I’ve got a 20gal tank and the skid plate is in pretty good shape.



I power washed both and hit the skid with a wire wheel.



Ready for paint this weekend. I cannot believe this slipped my observation. Just glad I didn’t already pay for the MTS tank.


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[Ultrunner]

After working on it every weekend for the past month I finally got the beg liner removed from the donor tub and it’s now ready to have all the YJ to CJ conversions done.




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[Masscj7]

Now that all the liner is off, how does it look? From the pic, looks pretty darn solid. Maybe some minor rust in seams but major panels look pretty good?


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[Ultrunner]

Now that all the liner is off, how does it look? From the pic, looks pretty darn solid. Maybe some minor rust in seams but major panels look pretty good?


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Masscj7,

Yeah it looks pretty good. Some areas that need to be banged into shape (a few dents and bends). The seams need the body filler to be dug out and properly filled.

Here’s some detail shots. You can see the driver’s side floor pan along the sill is rusted quite a bit.




And the rear step up is banged up. Not sure if that’s an easy fix or has to be replaced.



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[Masscj7]

Considering what a lot of tubs look like, that doesn’t seem bad at all. Plus roll bar mount area looks good, that tends to be a big one. Good score!


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[Ultrunner]

Plumbed my rear brake lines today. I used double flare (I know a lot of guys do the A/N flares). I’m happy with how it turned out.






I used NiCu line, this stuff is so easy to work with. Almost don’t even need a bending tool.


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[Ultrunner]

Something went wrong with my previous upload. Here’s the other photos.






Still waiting on a longer rear brake hose.


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[CJ]

Double flairs are correct with standard fittings. You did good.

 

[Ultrunner]

Double flairs are correct with standard fittings. You did good.

Thanks. This was my first time plumbing brakes. I’ll tackle the fuel lines next.


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[Ultrunner]

I know it’s only 8 bolts, but it’s progress. I have been working on the fuel tank and skid plate.

Just got it cleaned and repainted and all back together and the new strap cut and attached.

Tank is now up under the frame and bolted it. Ready for new sending unit and check valves.






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[Masscj7]

Remember it’s an ultra marathon , not a sprint lol


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[Ultrunner]

Remember it’s an ultra marathon , not a sprint lol


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I see what you did there.


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[Ultrunner]

Lots of waiting on engine parts, but my shocks showed up this week so I went ahead and installed them.

I think they look good and the project is really starting to take shape.






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[Allen Clark]

This build keeps you productive for years now, I am hoping that it will be worth it.

 

[Masscj7]

Looking good and nice to have a full roller. In my best Brad Pitt impersonation, “what’s in the cup? Just tell me what’s in the cup?”

Hopefully the reference is not lost.


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[Ultrunner]

Looking good and nice to have a full roller. In my best Brad Pitt impersonation, “what’s in the cup? Just tell me what’s in the cup?”

Hopefully the reference is not lost.


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Oh I go it it. SE7EN.


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[Ultrunner]

Okay it’s been a while. I’ve been working over the winter on building my engine. Here is some progress.

New pistons and rings. Cleaned up the deck surface in preparation for the head gasket and heads.



I totally missed that I needed a lifter bracket. I used red thread locker (max hold) for the bolts.



Heads installed and torqued down. I used ARP head bolts.


I got basic rocker arms. They received very good ratings and I saw no need to spend a fortune on them when I shelled out some more significant cheddar for other things like intake manifold and throttle body.


Once I torques the timing gear bolts I installed the cam button. The machine shop who did my block set me up with this cool cam button that swivels as the cam rotates to avoid rubbing against the timing cover.


Almost all sealed up.


So this is the most interesting part of the build. The intake manifold is a Holley fuel injector manifold with Holley injectors. However the aluminum brackets on top of the valve cover is something I fabricated.

I cut and drilled them out of stock I had to be able to receive a set of LS ignition coils. I also have a 24x reluctor gear with a sensor that connects to the timing assembly. My SBC 350 will have LS ignition and fuel injection. Pretty cool.



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[Masscj7]

She sure looks purdy and now you’re talking motor science! Well done sir