Build Thread Aussie CJ7 - 78

[JAG811]

After much deliberation ... I decided to pull to auto out too ...
I only got it on the floor today.
So here are the photos. Top bell housing bolts were a nightmare, and I asked why I was doing this when I intend on having the tub off in 6 months ....

 

[JAG811]

Excellent thread! You have a great CJ and do great work!

Thanks mate

 

[JAG811]

First picture is of the GM Turbo 400 /QuadraTrac adapter.
The QT hangs off this adapter and man it must take some weight
It also houses the rear bearing and it's a cracker. Very strong.
Novak sell an after market one with two bearings and it seems like a good idea so if anyone had theirs bust - Check out Novak.
I made my own gasket and used some goo.

 

[JAG811]

Then it was time for the real work. I made a cradle for the GM Turbo 400 and QT.
Last thing left to do now is find the centre of the weight or pivot point.
It rolls but what I have to do now is weld the brackets the bottom and a centre pin so I can take the cup out of the roller jack and raise the whole lot ....

Last picture is off it all together but as shinny as the GM Turbo 400 looks I need to give it another clean before the clear. Then it's black dipstick and rest.

 

[JAG811]

First picture - Is of that rear bearing in the adaptor.
Second picture - Is all of the gear off the auto.
Being a GM Turbo 400 Repco sells a gasket and filter kit but I needed to ask for a HQ Monaro with GM Turbo 400 V8. THeeennn they'll be able to get the right numbers, to type into the computer to tell them if they have one on shelf ...
Third - Why it's a HYYYYDRO MATIC, why it's a Greased Lightning !!

 

[JAG811]

Ok so there's two very thick layers of clear coat on EVERYTHING !!
Pan and new filter on.
Oil cooler hoses back on and the elbow for the modulator in.
It's a bit tricky with the elbow - There is a flat leg that bananas in to sit in on the end of the cam and rest on the roller.
If anyone wants to add more on this please feel free.
The modulator is drying and the last thing left to clean up is the dip stick.

Cheers,

Jags

 

[83cj7]

Great write up with pictures. I like the way you don't half <-BAD WORD-> it back together.
I did notice on the pictures at the start of this thread that you may what to move the steering wheel. Someone put it on the wrong side

 

[JAG811]

Great write up with pictures. I like the way you don't half <-BAD WORD-> it back together.
I did notice on the pictures at the start of this thread that you may what to move the steering wheel. Someone put it on the wrong side

Ha ha ha
I'm at home sick today and I just wondered out to look at the shinny auto sitting there ready to put back in .... I really need to get off my <-BAD WORD-> and whack it back in now !

 

[JAG811]

Ok so I've been fiddling at home sick today .... I feel like an knumpty unable to do anything,... anyhowss ...
Cradle is done !
These pictures simply demonstrate the whole lot a foot in the air
I had to find the centre balance point for the lot, and there is a bolt through the cradle and the jack cup.
So I'll clean up the under body of grime and grease and look to slide her back in over the weekend

 

[JAG811]

Five hours later and not much progress
The GM Turbo 400 is back in with torque converter bolts and a couple of bell housing bolts in too. All needs more work though ..
Picture of the new springs and hangers and a picture of the shackles that came on the Jeep.
I've sprayed the springs in flat black. Once the auto is back in, I'll move to fitting the springs.

 

[JAG811]

Alright,
GM Turbo 400 is back in.
1st picture is the torque converter bolts all done.
2nd - Bell housing bolts - Anyone with a QT/GM Turbo 400 you'll need to drop the motor and allow the Transmission to drop too, to pivot it right back to get to those bellhousing bolts.
3rd - I undid the left hand front engine mounts to lower the donk.
I'm waiting for the Transmission skid plate to come back from being galvanised. So once it's back I can spray it up, drop in the new Transmission mounts and get on with taking her for a spin.
4th - Grabbing a couple new bolts for the started and hooked up the auto cooler lines - Still don't know if they're on correctly

 

[JAG811]

The Bad News Post

Ok here's the bad news post, and unfortunately when you buy a 30 year old vehicle, many people have worked on it before you.
So when I pulled the auto out there were wrong bolts everywhere. Well it looked like someone had just randomly picked bolts from a mixed bucket
So I've been slowly putting it back together with new bolts to match everything back up.
Random hoses where here there and everywhere, so the right hose for the right job as it all went back together.
You'll notice the torque arm bolt stripped Have to order a new one.
And the top alternator thread was only about 2mm because it had been stripped out too.
After thinking about re-tapping a bigger thread, or paying to have it sleeved with a new thread I had a bright idea to just drill it out and get a longer bolt with a nylock nut ... It's not rocket science I know ...

 

[JAG811]

Three on the Tree

I hooked up the column shift linkages and that turned out to be 30 minutes of first class fiddling. Adjust underneath, get up and try the column shift, then get back underneath and adjust again, and so on, until you're happy. The adjustment is the second picture - One 1/2" nut and you move the shifting rod up and down till your happy.
Note on the first picture the linkage mounts to the chassis. It's really loose and needs some attention, so although I'm happy with the adjustment I'll be going back to pull all of the linkages up and try to find new rubbers, ect to give me a tighter shift.
I the column shift but once you start to look at everything it's easy to see why everyone goes to a B & M Shifter. When I have a look at tightening up all of the linkages, if I can't get the desired improvement I may just go to the B & M.

 

[JAG811]

I also picked up the Transmission skid plate and exhaust shield from the galvanising shed this week.
Problem is it got sent back and I had to clean it up some more and then take it back in. In the process ... I have lost the torque arm
So I'm now measuring up to make my own ...

 

[fishinfool98]

why all of this work before a frame off?
why not wait and do it all at once?

By the way awesome work
keep the pictures flowing

 

[JAG811]

why all of this work before a frame off?
why not wait and do it all at once?

By the way awesome work
keep the pictures flowing

Thanks,
1- Because I'm a little bit backwards ( I live down under)
2- When I worked out which way I was going to go about it, I knew there would be some double handling ... But I rebuilt my very first CJ at 18 and got all the way to full complete rolling chassis ... and sold it. This time I didn't want the vehicle off the road for 2 years.
This way I still get to drive the dogs up the river every couple of weeks, so it's one job at a time.
But yes, some real double handling going to take place in the next 6 months.

 

[fishinfool98]

As long as it makes sense to you thats all that matters

Welcome to the site by the way. Im in and out with work
but will be keeping tabs on your build

 

[JAG811]

I've just had to spend $700 on parts for the JK and I keep thinking of all the gear I could have got the CJ .....

 

[JAG811]

Alright, we had a long weekend in the land down under so I got the torque arm made and it fits great, so I sprayed it up and she's drying in the garage.
I've got a new torque bolt in the mail, so once it's here, it should all be ready to bolt back up.
Next job .. pinion seals on both diffs

 

[JAG811]

Ok we're starting to get closer to taking the old girl for a run again ..
Torque arm is up and looking good.
First Transmission skid plate is after the hard anti rust gloss black,
right before the flat black coat in the second.

Just waiting for the torque arm bolt to arrive .......... still waiting ........