Build Thread Deerejeep's '81 CJ7 Iowa

[Deerejeep]

Ummmmm headers!



Wondering what prep if any to-do? VHT paint?

 

[Deerejeep]

Oil mods complete on 360. Balanced, cam is in house. Little head work and assembley. Hope to bring her home soon...

 

[Petescj]

Cant wait to see it. As far as the header paint I cant say Ive found any that stands up over time. Now its been about 15 years since I bought headers so Im sure the process has improved , but if not your just painting over whats going to burn off anyway. My brother is a Harley guy and has some flat black pipes on his for years. Maybe I can dig some info outta him Friday.

Oil mods complete on 360. Balanced, cam is in house. Little head work and assembley. Hope to bring her home soon...

 

[Deerejeep]

Steering shaft is out. Should have just u bolted the column to begin with! Now do I need an upgraded borgeson HD shaft? Looks like a new steering shaft and powersteering box is about $415. Just Empty Every Pocket!

Jeepfest in Georgia with the JK next weekend. If y'all are out there shoot me a PM, would be good to meet y'all.

 

[Airstrike]

Ummmmm headers!



Wondering what prep if any to-do? VHT paint?

I recommend a 2 inch body lift or your feet will sweat.

 

[Deerejeep]

With the engine nearing completion I'm feeling a little behind with little to no actual work on the CJ for 2-3 weeks. I want to get the steering box replaced while I have the space and easy access. I'm thinking that to conserve space I may just mount the engine on the frame instead of using the engine stand..

So, how do I really get the steering box off? See this thread to help out.


http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/so-how-do-you-remove-steering-box-20123/

 

[Deerejeep]

Steering box is out.



If anyone is curious a 1 5/16 was needed to take off the pitman arm nut. So of course I needed an autozone run to get it and a 1/2-3/4 adaptor. Pitman arm came off without a fight with a HF $9.99 puller and an impact.

No cracks that I can see.


Now I think I'm going to put a M.O.R.E bracket on and just a replacement box from autozone. Opinions or other options welcome.

Time for some Advil.

 

[Deerejeep]

M.O.R.E bracket and steering box showed up this week. So I need to get that on because the engine is coming home next week. Ain't she pretty, with oiling mods and all.

 

[Deerejeep]

Acquiring some additional parts for anticipation that I get the engine this weekend. Thinking through a couple of things.

What's the best way to finish building the engine. Should I put on the stand or just mount in the jeep? There's no fenders grill etc. in the way and it would take up less room.

What's the best way to drop into the engine bay?

 

[rr41mag]

Primer and paint with high heat paint and let them sit. The longer they dry the better.

 

[Deerejeep]

M.O.R.E HD bracket is installed along with the reman steering box. Easy install, attached it to the box on the bench then installed. Got too busy this week to pick up the engine. Likely next week. Motor mounts in tomorrow. Still wondering if I need new solid mount or poly.



I opted to drill the 3rd hole for additional support. (1/2")


Great to see my ratchets still work in the install position.

 

[Peanut Butter]

On your headers, the only ones that I've seen keep paint on is a ceramic paint. Not sure what brand of ceramic paint will work the best. Here is what Eastood sells. I have not used this, so proceed at your own risk. But for only $27, it might be worth it. Rod
Satin Black High Temp Coating Kit

 

[Deerejeep]

Loosely fit my totally sainless hardware on the engine mounts and frame. Looks sharp. Decided to go with the stock motor mount replacements too. Well that quick stop at summit also resulted in a new DUI distributor, fuel pump, water pump. Also fit in my classic tube brake lines for the front.

 

[Deerejeep]

Just a little bit different looking

 

[Petescj]

Ha, Slightly different!

 

[Hedgehog]

The first engine is beautiful, a great hard working engine, hopefully with some life left in it. I'd like to know more about the engine behind the shinny one in the third picture, the one with the water pump already on it.

So, tell us more about the shinny one with all the Edlbrock stuff on it.

.................. Ahhhhhh I can't do this, there is an urge to pick on you for having such a shinny piece going in a Jeep, but I simply can't. If I had the pocket change I would have done the same thing except for the Edlbrock parts. I would have used the stock valve covers or a set of cast covers. With the cast covers it would be easy to cover the fact that I really wanted the bling by saying that compared to the stamped stock cover, they are stronger adding stability with the reduced chance of oil leaks. Looks very nice indeed.

Edit: Did you keep your stock cam gear or did you think ahead and get a matched set of gears like those offered by MSD? If not make sure you get the stock gear from your original distributor to put on it's replacement. If for nothing else it will give you peace of mind knowing that the gears have lived a happy life together so far and are likely to continue to be happy.

 

[Deerejeep]

The first engine is beautiful, a great hard working engine, hopefully with some life left in it. I'd like to know more about the engine behind the shinny one in the third picture, the one with the water pump already on it.

So, tell us more about the shinny one with all the Edlbrock stuff on it.

.................. Ahhhhhh I can't do this, there is an urge to pick on you for having such a shinny piece going in a Jeep, but I simply can't. If I had the pocket change I would have done the same thing except for the Edlbrock parts. I would have used the stock valve covers or a set of cast covers. With the cast covers it would be easy to cover the fact that I really wanted the bling by saying that compared to the stamped stock cover, they are stronger adding stability with the reduced chance of oil leaks. Looks very nice indeed.

Edit: Did you keep your stock cam gear or did you think ahead and get a matched set of gears like those offered by MSD? If not make sure you get the stock gear from your original distributor to put on it's replacement. If for nothing else it will give you peace of mind knowing that the gears have lived a happy life together so far and are likely to continue to be happy.

Hedge, yeah guess I'll never know if that first one was a good engine or not. Never heard it run! As for valve covers I wish I could have afforded the ones I really wanted. Some heavy cast ones with AMC on them. I still have the stock covers and I'm going to put them in the cabinet soon and clean them up. Doubt I'll put them back on but I'll prep and sell them to someone who wants them.

I've not done the cam gear yet. When the shop rebuilt it he put in the old gear so your right. I either need to pull the gear on the old distributor or get a new cam gear in there to match the blue DUI in the garage.

You can't help not give me a hard time. I mean seriously I took a iron duke (chevy) out and stepped up and paid to put an AMC into a Jeep. Also matched it with AMC blue. Classy, classy.

I know I'm crazy. Wheel my JK and planning to just cruise with my CJ. Well for a while, still making sure it will be great on the trail.

 

[Hedgehog]

I can't really pick on you, I painted parts of my 360 Old Ford Blue. I saw so many different blues on AMC engines it was decided that I like Old Ford Blue and that's what I used. Interestingly enough the stock engine color on my 360 is/was black.

I decided against the Blue cap because I thought it would clash against the Ford Blue. My DUI is black like most of the stock engine.

Your rebuilder already replaced the timing cover and it would be a shame to pull it now. He must have inspected the stock gear, so it must be good. Make life simple and reuse the stock distributor gear. That is if you'd be comfortable with that.

 

[Deerejeep]

I can't really pick on you, I painted parts of my 360 Old Ford Blue. I saw so many different blues on AMC engines it was decided that I like Old Ford Blue and that's what I used. Interestingly enough the stock engine color on my 360 is/was black.

I decided against the Blue cap because I thought it would clash against the Ford Blue. My DUI is black like most of the stock engine.

Your rebuilder already replaced the timing cover and it would be a shame to pull it now. He must have inspected the stock gear, so it must be good. Make life simple and reuse the stock distributor gear. That is if you'd be comfortable with that.

Hedge, yeah I'll have to tackle that once I get the engine home. Hope to be later this week. I'll be sure to ask 1000 questions too.

This week so far I've been working on cleaning up the Transfer Case housing and pieces. All the guts are out to as I'm rebuilding it. Plus it need to be drilled for the adaptor to the T-18 . I totally purchased something I did not need today.

Twin stick from JB custom. Tonight I'll fit up the Morris 4x4 motor mounts. I think they are the correct ones. I'll post up again later in that thread.

 

[Deerejeep]

Preparing the garage for the arrival of the 360 tomorrow. Well the hardware nuts from the original motor mounts don't fit the new motor mounts, seems they have a larger thread. You think this needs to be grade 8 or will 5 do? It looks like a 5 stamped on the bolts, but not sure. Off to the hardware store.

Anyone know what size bolts I can get for use with an engine stand? Need these for a backup in case I can't get it mounted in the frame. I only have a few hours to get it in and then I have to take off. Last resort is to set it on a tire for a couple days until I can get back to it.


Guess I need a chill pill (or big glass of scotch and a cigar). I've never installed an engine before so here we go. Fingers crossed. All pointers welcome. Hardware loose. Support the back of engine.