Messages

1

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: March 23, 2024, 07:36:22 PM »

Been a while since I posted, but bottom line is I eventually got the Jeep inspected and passed earlier this year. My hopes for having it done by Christmas had to take a back seat due to family issues, then the apprved guy who was to do the inspection pulled out "not enough time and you're putting too much pressure on me" he said?? Anyway, got the inspection done at another shop, now have historic registration on it. Learned a lot about the oddities of the Australian Jeeps along the way and some of it updated in the files section. Had problems with carburettor, so full rebuild only to find most of the trouble caused by electric fuel pump. New mechanical pump obtained and fitted, so running reasonably well. Now looking to upgrade the ignition system so once again waiting on parts, this time for the Lucas distributor, but at least it runs and drives now. Don't know if these things are ever "finished" but this one is pretty close for now.

2

Engine compartment / Re: Oil Leak

« on: April 29, 2023, 05:25:30 AM »

Did it start leaking like that as soon as you started it up after the work you did on it? Or was it OK for a while, then just started doing it?? Either way you're going to have to investigate by either pulling the engine or the trans. Personally I would pull the engine as I find that easier. I know that with a bit of messing around you can replace the rope type seal without pulling either, but IMHO I would pull the engine, then the flywheel so you can either eliminate or prove the cam plug is the culprit. If it's not, then you are halfway into it to replace the rear main seal and you'll get the peace of mind that you have eliminated one possibility.

3

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: April 27, 2023, 06:32:11 AM »

I updated in the mechanical section, but short version here. Wiring loom modified, new radiator installed, engine running, all body panels back in place. Still need to do exhaust, then it's about ready for inspection. Still waiting on some minor parts, should arrive early May, so project right on track. Hoping to have exhaust done by the time the remaining parts arrive.

4

Engine compartment / Re: Cylinder head stud conversion

« on: April 27, 2023, 06:26:16 AM »

More installation issues sorted, engine bay and under dash electrics sorted, all wiring for the old engine was on the opposite side to the F-134. New ally radiator arrived - it was a 3 core unit for a MB, so I had to make a support to go under it and a brace back to the firewall. Cranked engine over without plugs to get oil circulating, installed plugs and it fired right up. Carb needs an overhaul as a bit of sputtering happening. I'll wait to finish the air cleaner install and see if that makes a difference. All front panels now back in place, had to make up a new shroud between the grille and the radiator as what I had was modified to suit the previous engine. I was surprised how much the gearbox moved when I removed the other engine, seems the people who originally changed the engine must have levered the engine/gearbox assembly about one inch towards the back of the Jeep - pulling that engine allowed everything to de-stress and return to normal, so that was a bonus.
What's left to do is refit the floor panel over the gearbox and refit the shift lever boots, a bit of messing around to make it all fit right now things are more where they should be. And the exhaust, I got a new header pipe made up from the exhaust manifold and it currently ends about level with the back of the gas tank. I need to make up a new pipe to go from there, across the back axle then turn 90 degrees so I can fit a muffler in there somewhere. My aim is to have it on the road around mid year, so on track to get there.

5

Engine compartment / Re: Cylinder head stud conversion

« on: March 27, 2023, 07:44:54 PM »

Engine now complete and finally installed in my CJ3b. A lot of fiddly jobs to do now before I can fire it up. I'll update when I get to that stage.

6

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: March 27, 2023, 07:41:59 PM »

Holden engine out and F-134 is in. Now repairing clutch linkage/s, then onto wiring "adjustments" - Holden engine wiring is all on opposite side, so have to strip looms and re-route wires. Radiator no good so have to find a replacement, another Jeep enthusiast donated an air cleaner - it's even got a metal label on it with 'made in Australia' on it, so perfect for this Aussie Jeep. Also figured I will need a new exhaust system, at least the muffler is re-usable so that's a bonus.

7

Engine compartment / Re: Distributor Issues

« on: March 20, 2023, 02:51:05 AM »

Points distributors have been used in Jeeps for a long time and most people who use them don't mess with them very often. Seems your hi-tech solution is causing you more downtime than a points unit would. In reply to your suggestion of earthing the negative side of the coil, it's a no-no and likely to damage your coil. Low voltage can cause severe damage to hi-tech distributors. You can run an extra earth wire from the distributor body to the block if you have doubts. The distributor with rubber ring(?) that wouldn't seat properly? Some distributors have an "O" ring part way down the body to seal the crankcase and there are a couple different clamps styles that don't interchange and only apply to some distributors. If you have the wrong clamp, it can prevent the distributor seating all the way down, if it had an "O" ring tight up at the top, chances are it wouldn't seat and you could just use a thin gasket. There's a good article on distributors in the files, but it doesn't include all the available brands.

8

Engine compartment / Re: Cylinder head stud conversion

« on: March 20, 2023, 02:34:59 AM »

The top deck of the F-134 block is a known weak spot in these engines. The head bolts put enormous pressure on the thin cast iron surrounding the water jacket. All but 2 of the head bolts go into the water jacket and suffer from varying amounts of corrosion, making them unsuitable to re-use. In case anyone is interested in reducing the incidence of deck failure (especially in engines that have been decked), the 132mm long Ferguson tractor head studs are the right length to replace the F-head head bolts. ARP makes a small head stud about right for the inlet side under the carb, but I opted to make my own. A couple of pictures attached showing the studs fitted. If you look closely you can see the previous deck repairs and some other fine cracks in the same area - the reason for going to studs. One other thing I learned doing this conversion is that I would advise anyone doing this modification to set the head in place when fitting the studs as some mis-alignment can happen.

9

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: March 20, 2023, 02:21:04 AM »

Finished rebuilding the F-134, now started pulling the Holden engine out. Stripped all the front off today, the Holden 6 will be on the floor sometime later this week. Then have to remove the modified mounts for the trans to move it forwards to where it's supposed to be, service the clutch shaft and put the F-head in place.

10

Engine compartment / Re: Cylinder head stud conversion

« on: March 16, 2023, 02:08:12 AM »

Many parts arrived since last post. Bottom end closed up a few days ago, biggest issue was repairing the oil pickup float - previously had a hole drilled in it??? so it filled with oil and sat in the sludge in the bottom of the pan. Getting the old oil and sludge out of it was actually harder than repairing it. I bought some T-20 Ferguson tractor head studs 132mm long and fitted them with red thread lock yesterday, I made a new G8 short stud 65mm long to go under the carb and fitted the head today. It was a bit of a bear to fit as some of the studs tilted a little when fitted - future note to self - put head in place before fitting studs, more difficult but possibly a better option. Torqued head to 64ft/lb and set inlet valves at 18 thou. Another issue to be aware of is that the new made G8 nuts are not like old head nuts, they only have around 10mm usable thread where old made nuts have around 13mm usable thread - so IMHO the new nuts will be single use only.

11

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: March 11, 2023, 05:09:27 AM »

Thanks Bruce, but already done, something I learned a long time ago. Closed up the bottom end yesterday. Made a new short head stud today to replace the bolt under the carb, being grade 8 it wasn't the easiest one I've ever made - will test it tomorrow, but should be OK. Still waiting on the other 14 new long studs so fitting everything below the head. Will start removing the non-original engine during the next week and several small jobs to do while the front is off before the F head goes in.

12

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: March 07, 2023, 06:37:36 PM »

Found the tiny little holes in the rods, so that's all good, rods had been installed correctly, further investigation on the pistons showed they can go in either way around. New rings are due to arrive today, cylinder head studs ordered to replace the head bolts, due in about another 8 days, gaskets have arrived, oil pickup float cleaned and repaired so it will float - it had a small hole drilled in and was full of old oil, so it sat in the gunk in the bottom of the pan. All parts cleaned, painted and repaired where needed, all replacement correct size bolts, nuts and studs sourced, now ready to start assembly.

13

Engine compartment / Re: Cylinder head stud conversion

« on: March 07, 2023, 06:23:48 PM »

Finally located and purchased some suitable studs to replace the 14 long head bolts, still chasing a short one for under the carb. Will see how they go when they arrive. Gaskets have arrived and rings are due to arrive today, so slowly making progress. Will update info as parts arrive and get installed.

14

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: March 04, 2023, 06:58:36 PM »

Interesting is the best word I can find for this engine. It's a '61-62 F-134 and as I've stripped it down I've found some things like new and others worn out. It's been bored 40 over and bores are in good shape. Ring gaps about .125" and oil rings worn right down into the expanders. Non-original pistons - no T slots - and so far no oil holes in the con rods to lubricate the cylinders. Most unusual.

15

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: It's finally here

« on: February 21, 2023, 10:54:11 PM »

Hi Rus, it was going to be an "inspection" engine, but now I've gotten into it, it will stay there and I'll sell the non-original type engine. It will be initially offed to other Jeep people complete with adaptor plate and engine mounts as a "bolt-in" deal - it would be ideal for a pointy nose conversion. The 6 cylinder was brand new when fitted in the early '80's and has only done 3000 miles. It runs fine and has just had a full service, but I can't see the value of swapping it back in again.