Build Thread StormRider's 77 CJ7 Golden Eagle Restoration.....

[Stormrider]

Here's the firewall picture. It didn't download for some reason.

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[Stormrider]

The past 2 days I managed to clean up all the dirt and dried mud from the engine bay, chasis, underneath the tub, fenderwell, and bumpers. I basically sprayed undercoating underneath the whole jeep including the engine bay. I did manage to paint the front and rear bumpers, rear end, front diff, and radiator today.
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I am planning on putting the motor together this week if my parts will arrive on time. I had a problem finding a flywheel but did finally manage to find on that is supposedly made for my AMC 304 with manual tranny. Let's wait and see if it will bolt up or if we have to get it balanced with the crank. If that's the case, I suppose I could just resurface the flywheel and replace the ring gear. I have been doing a lot of thinking about the lift kit and I have decided to go with the BDS 2.5'' kit with the upgraded shackles that I already have on for a total of close to 4'' total. I will also replace the stabilizer, tie rods, end links, put longer brake lines, and do the Transfer Case spacers to help with the drive angle. Hopefully I can get the parts together by the next week or 2 for the lift kit. __________________

Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/s...le-restoration-7963/index3.html#ixzz1EkYxxo00

 

[Stormrider]

I've put some thought into the color that I am going to go with and I've narrowed it down to 3 colors for right now. Although I did consider the more bright colors like yellow, orange, and electric blue, I am going to go with a less flashy color like white, black, or tan. The color that is on the top of my list right now is this tan color that you see on some hummers. I will paint the hard top, fender flares, rims, and bumpers black no matter what color I paint the body and will put on the Golden Eagle decals of course. What do you guys think?

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[polish85]

I've put some thought into the color that I am going to go with and I've narrowed it down to 3 colors for right now. Although I did consider the more bright colors like yellow, orange, and electric blue, I am going to go with a less flashy color like white, black, or tan. The color that is on the top of my list right now is this tan color that you see on some hummers. I will paint the hard top, fender flares, rims, and bumpers black no matter what color I paint the body and will put on the golden eagle decals of course. What do you guys think?

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You def have to put the Golden Eagle decal on it!!! Project is looking good.

 

[Stormrider]

You def have to put the golden eagle decal on it!!! Project is looking good.

Thanks polish85, I've been busting my rear end trying to get it ready soon.

 

[Stormrider]

So anyways I got off the phone with the guys at the machine shop this morning and they give me bad news. The block is going to have to get bored .30 over and I will have have to put new pistons, rings and all so basically a complete rebuild. Well at least he said that he will replace the ring gear and resurface the flywheel for me so I will be returning the one that I bought.
If it isn't one thing, it's another and it is adding up quick. This was suppose to be a low budget build too. I am trying to do everything myself to save some money and plus I enjoy doing it. I have now decided to do the painting myself since by buddy is letting me use his shop the shoot the paint.

 

[IOPort51]

If some low life told you this was going to be a cheep and easy way to spend all your free time for the rest of your life, you should chase him down and call him the lier that he is, to his face.
It looks like your doing well, I am a in total agreement on the flywheel decision but it would be interesting to see some one build one from an assortment of parts and see just how bad it shakes.

 

[Stormrider]

Well, I picked up the engine from the machine shop yesterday. It got bored .30 over which makes it a 309 now. Bigger pistons and rings, a head job, he also resurfaced the flywheel and put a ring gear on for me. The crankshalf got turned and we are putting in a new cam. I got him to put the cam bearings in since I don't have the tool for that. I did get a chance to paint the block and heads yesterday though. I will try and put the motor together in the next week.

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[Stormrider]

I also ordered my lift kit yesteday. I have decided to go with the BDS 2.5 in lift since I got the 1'' shackles already, so I'll be netting 3.5'' total lift and that's plenty for me and what I need. I will be replacing the tie rod/ drag link, sway bar links, steering stabilizer, putting in a drop pitman arm, Transfer Case spacers, and I put in extended braided brake lines in the front and rear. Can't wait to get them and install them next week. :drool:

 

[Jet]

Great thread going Louie.
Good to see that you are doing it right.
Some day i'ma gonna have to......... um.
Dreamer here.

 

[Stormrider]

Great thread going Louie.
Good to see that you are doing it right.
Some day i'ma gonna have to......... um.
Dreamer here.

Thank you Jet. It was suppose to be a low budget build....hahaha. Like I keep telling my friends, I'm in so deep now, I can only go forward......I can't go back. I don't know how many people actually read my thread but I'll keep posting as I tackle my project.

 

[Stormrider]

Here's a few pics of the assembly of the motor. I am making sure that everything is torqued down to specs. It's coming along slowly but surely. Should be done with the motor in a few days. I am waiting for a piece called an oil slinger to come in since mine got tore up bad.
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[Daniel1381]

great job..love the tan color!

 

[Stormrider]

great job..love the tan color!

Thanks Daniel. I love the tan myself so I have decided to go with it. Some people chrome out their Jeeps but this one will basically be tan and black. My next project hopefully will be a restoring a Chevelle and I am going to chrome the heck out of it.

 

[Daniel1381]

and i cant wait for pics on that next project!!! think i will paint my 76 cj either matte black or matte tan with black parts... what rims did you go with...few ppl i talked to say on older jeep stick with the old style rims.. do new rims even work with the old 4x4 hubs?

 

[Stormrider]

and i cant wait for pics on that next project!!! think i will paint my 76 cj either matte black or matte tan with black parts... what rims did you go with...few ppl i talked to say on older jeep stick with the old style rims.. do new rims even work with the old 4x4 hubs?

I am not sure if the hub and the bolt pattern of the newer rims will fit on older Jeeps. I am just going to paint the rims that I have on it right now. I think they are Eagles with 8 holes. I am not really trying to show off these rims that's why I am just going to paint them gloss black leaving the center cap chrome off course. Here's what it looks like now before the paint job.
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[Stormrider]

Here's a couple pictures of what the engine looks like now. It seems like there's a lot of blue but once the headers, carb, distributor, wires, and everything else gets bolted on, it won't be so blue.
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I also picked up my lift kit today. I will try and install it on Monday if not Tuesday.

 

[Project86]

If some low life told you this was going to be a cheep and easy way to spend all your free time for the rest of your life, you should chase him down and call him the lier that he is, to his face.
It looks like your doing well, I am a in total agreement on the flywheel decision but it would be interesting to see some one build one from an assortment of parts and see just how bad it shakes.

X2 on that, My "buddy" said "oh yeah, you need a jeep and we'll go do some wheelin' blah, blah, blah" He worked on P86 one day and headed to the hills. But that's cool cuz' P86 is beginning to take a turn in the right direction. Two things, 1-I will finish my project and he'll will get roost on his hood. 2- I will post some pictures once I get further along. These threads keep me going. If ya'll can do I can do it. Good luck on the build.

 

[Stormrider]

X2 on that, My "buddy" said "oh yeah, you need a jeep and we'll go do some wheelin' blah, blah, blah" He worked on P86 one day and headed to the hills. But that's cool cuz' P86 is beginning to take a turn in the right direction. Two things, 1-I will finish my project and he'll will get roost on his hood. 2- I will post some pictures once I get further along. These threads keep me going. If ya'll can do I can do it. Good luck on the build.

Sure you can do it! Just take it one step at a time. I divide mine up into smaller projects like engine, suspension, brakes, body, paint, and interior etc.. so I don't get overwhelmed with how much work is needed to be done and when I need help or advice, this forum has plenty of nice people who are willing to help out a fellow Jeeper! Good luck on yours!

 

[Stormrider]

I got some work in yesterday but not as much as I would have liked to. I did order a new voltage regulator, starter solenoid, coolant temp sensor, and oil pressure switch. I eliminated all the wires relating to the distributor and ECM since I will be putting in an HEI distributor. I also cut all the dried up wire loom in the engine compartment and traced most of the wires. There were a lot of wires that were just cut up. I did manage to find the wires for the coolant temp and oil pressure switch. I will have to order the Haynes manual because I am getting tired of taking the laptop with me in the engine bay. Plus it will come in handy once I tackle the bird's nest that underneath the dash.
I also did manage to clean up my Holley 2300 carb and install the electric choke that I bought for it.

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