Projectcrawler's project 78 cj7

[projectcrawler]

Thought I would post some before pics of my current project. It is a 78 CJ7 with a AMC 304 ,GM Turbo 400 ,QuadraTrac ,Dana 30 , and AMC20 drivetrain.(read stock) The motor has been rebuilt within past 500 miles, but has been sitting for about 5 years. My father had this jeep sitting in his garage for about 3 of those years. He bought it from a guy who got it to this point. It has a fiberglass tub, fenders, and hood. It sits on a 4" skyjacer lift, but the left rear is sagging. Planning a soa for the spring. The motor has a performer intake and carb. Not sure about cam. Will check when I pull motor to reseal. Motor runs and sounds great, just leaks from sitting. Has headers and straight duals with glasspacks. Plan on adding cat converters and changing to quieter mufflers. My first projects are to swap rusted gas tank, rewire whole jeep, rebuild p/s pump and box, add swaybars, and do soa. This will hopefully get it some nice street manners. I did the TFI upgrade with the msd 6a box and the e coil. I have a set of 33x12.50x15 baja claws waiting to go on it. The windshield frame is also sitting in the garage. I am going to attempt to swap the glass myself. Wish me luck! The list of plans for this jeep is endless, and I will try to keep my progress posted. Thanks for reading.

 

[CJ]

A great project for sure. Looks like we both will be working at the same time!

Couple of questions and observations. Why two solenoids on the RH fender? An old winch? I love the 'Bite Me' sticker in the front view? Is that a statement?
I hate the dang oil fill on AMC 8's. I plugged my fill hole with a freeze plug and added breathers to the valve covers, ever though of that?
Your garage area looks pretty clean and organized, nice job on the funnel holders...

Are you going to keep the 4" and do a SOA? That's a whole lotta lift for 33's?
I'm guessing the cats are going back on for emission checks. Are you sure you have to replace them? Some states will let you file an exemption if the vehicle is over 25 years old. Just a thought.

Can't wait to see your progress!

 

[projectcrawler]

A great project for sure. Looks like we both will be working at the same time!

Couple of questions and observations. Why two solenoids on the RH fender? An old winch? I love the 'Bite Me' sticker in the front view? Is that a statement?
I hate the dang oil fill on AMC 8's. I plugged my fill hole with a freeze plug and added breathers to the valve covers, ever though of that?
Your garage area looks pretty clean and organized, nice job on the funnel holders...

Are you going to keep the 4" and do a SOA? That's a whole lotta lift for 33's?
I'm guessing the cats are going back on for emission checks. Are you sure you have to replace them? Some states will let you file an exemption if the vehicle is over 25 years old. Just a thought.

Can't wait to see your progress!

The po had a plow on it. I believe that is what the solenoid was for. Good idea on the oil fill. I will have to add that to the list. Po put the sticker on. I have a set of stock yj leafs for the soa. I plan to run the 33's until I can swap front and build rear axle. Then i'll go to 35's That is later on my list. I have 3 more junk motorcycles to get rid of and get some things into a shed, then the garage will be ready. I don't need the cats to pass inspection, I am hoping to clean the exhaust a little. I am a semi-green person and hate breathing old v8 exhaust. I would also like to drive to it to work during warmer days. I leave at 6 am and like my neighbors, hence the quieter mufflers. Thanks CJ.

 

[CJ]

Understand completely about the cats and it is very admirable. Not many would do that due to the added expense. You can buy cats now days that really don't inhibit exhaust flow much so there is very little performance trade off.

Sounds like a great project and looking forward to watching it progress.

BTW - What is this 'plow' thing you speak of? Is it used for gardening???

 

[projectcrawler]

Thats why you never buy a jeep from the north. Snow brings salt on the roads and idiots with plows who like to ram things and break parts and frames on jeeps. I work for a Toyota dealership. I have a few cats sitting around from tundras. I figure if they can flow enough to not restrict a 280 hp tundra, they shouldn't hurt my AMC 304 much.

 

[projectcrawler]

This is a thread I started about repairing my frame. Instead of double posting, I will keep that info there, and post the rest of the info in here. http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/repairing-frame-rot-541/

Put new wheels and tires on front. 33x12.50x15 Baja Claw radials on 15x8 black steelies. I also have a set of 15x10 steelies. I figured I'd use the 8's hoping for better bead retention while aired down. Had wheels sitting around from previous jeep, and got tires with about 80% tread from a member of DEJA for $360 and mounting of his new tires. This is the rear before cleaning hubs, painting hubs, and mounting new wheels and tires.


This is the front hub and wheels after.

I will finish the rear tomorrow night.

 

[CJ]

Much better! Looks like a great job. Off topic - what paint did you use on your floor?

 

[projectcrawler]

It is behr brand(home depot) garage floor paint. It has a concrete primer as the first stage. Then an epoxy coat you can have colored at their paint booth. I let my garage sit for 3 months after it was poured to cure, then I scrubbed it with dishwashing crystals. I kept the garage door closed with a dehumidifier in it for 2 days. I then coated with the primer which gets real sticky. Then one layer of the top coat that I stirred in grit packs they sell with the paint. It came out the texture of about 220 grit sandpaper. I spilled oil, brake fluid, p/s fluid, gas, and dexron on it. So far all wiped up except gas. It was about 20 degrees out and my garage door was open so I didn't smell the gas leaking from my tank inside the house. The gas soaked in for over 24hrs. and was not evaporating due to cold, so some of the paint lifted. I had left brake fluid on it for a couple of days, and it wiped up without hurting paint. It is a lot cheaper than most of the other brands, and so far I have been very happy with it. I have had it on the floor for about 2 years. My garage was empty for about 6 months after we moved in because I still had my old house.

 

[projectcrawler]

Finished rear hubs and put wheels and tires on. Had to replace 2 broken studs. Good news is brakes front and rear are in great shape.

Also removed the rusted tube steps. Busted up my pointer finger on my left hand a little, but it was worth it. I will put the sliders on next.

 

[CJ]

Had to replace 2 broken studs.

Looks good and your on your way. Due to work I haven't been able to work on mine for a few days... As for the broken studs, I hate them with a passion. I replaced all mine a long time ago with long Moroso studs and full open end nuts. Haven't broken a stud since then, you easily pass tech requirements at the races (if needed) and as an added benefit, unless some one has very deep socket with them - they ain't gonna steel your wheels and tires!

 

[projectcrawler]

Removed windshield to put new frame on. It was a little rusty!

I decided to remove front fenders, grill, and radiator to coat frame. Noticed a few leaks so I am going to pull motor, Transmission , and Transfer Case to reseal all leaks. Figure while they are out, a cleaning and a coat of paint are in order. Also, having motor and Transmission out will make por-15'ing the frame and axle a little easier.

 

[dalefan88]

your getting it apart pretty quick. i cant wait until we start taking ours apart. so its better to have a 8" wide rim for off road. ill have to remember that.

 

[CJ]

Removed windshield to put new frame on. It was a little rusty!

Holey Batman! That is some rust! I thought my windshield frame was in bad shape!

 

[mylittlecj5]

your getting it apart pretty quick. i cant wait until we start taking ours apart. so its better to have a 8" wide rim for off road. ill have to remember that.

theres 2 schools of thought on that one.
1) that a narrow wheel and a fat tire will work together to keep the beads intact while aired down for wheeling
or
2) a fat tire and a fat wheel will give you better flotation at a little higher air pressure and still keep the tire intact on the rim.
Personally, I'll change to a 10" rim for my 12.5" wide tires when that time comes. I understand the CJ will want to track the road ruts a little more, but the added traction off-road should make it worthwhile.

 

[projectcrawler]

Got a little more done in the past week.
Scrubbed headers, cleaned with phospheric acid(Thanks CJ), and sprayed with VHT flat black header paint.

Also coated gas tank skid plate, front bumper, and some brackets with Por-15. Wow they came out nice. Highly reccomend this stuff. I am going to post an article on coating with the Por-15, so I will post those pics there.
Pulled motor, Transmission , and Transfer Case so I can reseal, and paint them. Will also make it easier to coat frame.

I will post more as I get it done.

 

[CJ]

Looking good! That header came out great! Can't wait to see the Pro-15 review and instructions. I'm sure I'm going to do my frame with it. I'm not sure about the remainder of my running gear though...

 

[mylittlecj5]

Man thats going to be a great looking ride when you get done.
I wish I could get that deep into mine, but from prior experience, I know that if mine goes that far it will never come back to life in my hands. Something always comes up to where the budget wont allow the rebuild the way I want (basically everything brand new) and it gets put off forever...or sold.

Sometimes I wish I didnt have Lamborghini tastes on a Yugo budget.

 

[projectcrawler]

GM Turbo 400 painted and have new seals with filter. Whoo hooo!

View image in gallery

Now to coat dipstic, covers, and pan. Also weld a drain plug into pan.

​

 

[slimer]

POR 15 is great stuff. You just need to make sure you read and follow ALL the directions on the can. When using it, keep in mind that it won't come off ANYTHING it gets on. That includes your skin. You'll need to scrub your skin with a wire brush or sand paper to get it to come off. You're actually taking your skin off by doing that.

 

[dalefan88]

lookn good. cant wait till i have the $$$ for a new tub so i can tear down.