Messages

1

Engine compartment / Distributor - advance

« on: December 10, 2023, 06:17:59 PM »

Hello all, I have an L-134 Supersonic from an early 50's Henry J.  It has a distributor with the mechanical advance.  Is there a L-134 distributor that has both mechanical and vacuum advance?  I may wish to change to the pickup - wagon - Jeepster vacuum distributor advance if not.  Ideas?

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Engine compartment / Re: Oil Leaks

« on: May 19, 2023, 02:04:43 PM »

Has anyone successfully replaced the rear main seal on a L-134 using the lip type seal and the engine still in the Jeep?  I have seen YouTube videos of someone using the sneaky pete tool and the rope seal.  Just curious. 

3

Engine compartment / Re: Reliable machine shop in PA-DE-NJ-MD area

« on: May 12, 2023, 07:52:20 PM »

Just a follow up.  Miller's Machine Shop is in Oxford, PA.  The have a fully capable shop to handle virtually anything required in an engine rebuild including more complex operations such as grinding crankshaft journals.  As I was picking up my parts I was shown a Willys L-Head they were in the process of refurbishing.  work they did for me was excellent. 

4

Engine compartment / Oil Leak

« on: April 28, 2023, 09:45:26 AM »

Greetings all.  I have a pretty bad oil leak out the rear of the engine, only when it is running.  It will dump a basketball size puddle in about 10 minutes.  I used the UV solution in the engine oil just to be sure it is engine oil (didn't smell like gear oil anyway, but just wanted to be sure).  I have purchased the needed parts and tool to replace the rear main seal (I already replaced the pan gasket hoping that was it).  In looking at the service manual it talks about not starting the timing gear with a mallet as the cam can move rearward and dislodge the plug in the block at the rear of the cam bore and oil leakage can result from this.  I did replace the timing gear a short time ago and did start the gear with a rubber mallet.  How likely is it that I have dislodged that plug and that is the oil leak?  Thanks. 

5

Engine compartment / Reliable machine shop in PA-DE-NJ-MD area

« on: November 20, 2022, 06:59:12 PM »

Hello all, I have an L-head 134 that I need to have the head machined / block decked and valves / seats done.  I will do the rebuilding.  The cylinders need to be honed, but by my measurements are not far out of round and have near zero lip at the top.  Does anyone know of a shop with this sort of capability in the Southeastern Pennsylvania (Philadelphia?), Delaware, South Jersey, Maryland (Baltimore?) area that you would recommend?  Thank you.  R.

6

Buy, Sell, Trade / Re: Best Top

« on: November 15, 2022, 05:01:07 PM »

Do you still have this top?  I am in Newark, DE but for that price and new it may still be worth the shipping cost.  Thank you.

7

Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc... / Re: Title issue

« on: November 02, 2022, 06:47:45 AM »

Hopefully the last chapter.  After speak to Kentucky DMV multiple times, a conversation with the manager of the division of motor vehicles in Kentucky, 5 trips to Delaware DMV (they did not want to release information over the phone as they required photo ID to discuss), a conversation with Kentucky State Police, Delaware DMV finally reached someone in Kentucky who helped me.  This was after someone in KY informed me that they had no record of a vehicle with this serial number was ever titled in KY, I was told that there was a utility trailer first titled in 1970 in KY that was reported stolen in 1977 and it carried the same serial number as my Jeep.  Delaware required this to be in writing with signature, so a call back to KY and he was kind enough to get that done (Fax) while I sat in the waiting area of Delaware DMV.  So the next jolt?  I had purchased the chassis with title years ago for $150.  Of course, there is a tax in Delaware when titling a vehicle that is based on the sale price / book value.  I said I paid $150 but it was documented that it was not a complete vehicle at that time.  Their "appraised" value?  $24K.  What?  That meant my title / tags were over $1000.  There is a process to challenge that assessment, but I paid it and called it a day.  What would I do differently?  1.  When the title / serial number was inspected by the Delaware State Police they asked if I wanted a new serial number or to just keep the original.  Thinking I had a clean serial number I asked to keep the original.  If I would have had them assign a new one none of this would have happened.  2.  Before going down this path I could have taken the Jeep to a local dealership and received a written appraisal of value, probably 1/2 the $24K Delaware DMV assigned.  Hope my sharing this experience helps others on this journey of keeping these old beauties on the road (and off road!). 

8

Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc... / Re: Title issue

« on: November 01, 2022, 09:11:06 AM »

I called Delaware DMV yesterday for an update.  After being on the phone (most of the time on hold) it was suggested that I use their on-line chat function to get a quicker answer.  So I tried that.  I got an answer in a matter of a few minutes.  The answer was, we do not have an answer to your question you will need to call customer service at DMV.  So, back on hold again.  I finally spoke to a person, explained my situation and she put me on hold.  She came back on and gave me the name of a DMV supervisor assigned to this issue.  I asked to speak to him and I was told that I had to go to the DMV office and show my ID as additional information would not be given over the phone.  I went back to DMV (about 30 minutes drive from me), got a number and waited.  My number was called, I gave the name of the supervisor and I was told that he was on break and I should go back to my seat.  After about 10 minutes I was called forward and a clerk asked about my issue.  I went through the various documents, she took them and asked me to wait.  A few minutes later she said she had spoken to the supervisor and that he is awaiting a return call from Kentucky DMV.  I asked if she could tell me the specific issue and she said it was reported stolen in Kentucky in 1977.  I returned home.  A few hours later I glanced at e-mail and I received a response from someone in Kentucky (I had written to multiple agencies) who stated that she could see no record of my make, model, serial number in the Kentucky DMV record.  She gave me the phone number of the state agency in Kentucky that oversees the Kentucky DMV and suggested I seek action from them.  When I spoke to Kentucky DMV last week they said it was a state police matter.  I contacted Kentucky state police but at this time have not received a response.  Will post an update once I have new information.  FYI, I share this experience in hopes of helping others.  I would think this could be a common issue with some of these old titles.  I am confident this can be fixed, but is taking some additional energy.  Thanks Rus.

9

Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc... / Title issue

« on: October 31, 2022, 09:57:11 AM »

Hello all.  My latest adventure.
I have been collecting parts for this latest project since the early 2000's.  In the early 2000's I purchased a CJ2A chassis from a man in New Jersey.  The good part of this was that it had a valid NJ title. A few years went by and I finally pulled the rears, springs, etc. off of the frame, blasted most of the rust off and painted the frame.  At that point I wanted to be sure that title would be okay with the Delaware DMV (where I live).  So I loaded the frame into the back of my truck and took it to the DMV inspection station near me where I had the serial number / title reviewed by the Delaware State Police Auto Theft Unit.  All was fine and they gave me a document stating so, however there was a note on that document stating that this was not a complete vehicle at the time of the serial number review.  This was in 2008.  Years go by and life happens.  I rebuild rears, purchase a trans / transfer case and rebuild those, add 11" brakes, purchase an engine, rebuild that and install, and so forth.  About a year ago I purchased an MD Juan body (I had already purchased fenders, grill, hood, windshield frame, used, but needed a body tub).  FINALLY, last Tuesday, Oct 25 I gather my documents, have my insurance into, and go to the Delaware DMV for the required inspection.  All went fine, brakes, lights, horn, etc. all function as they should, now just to get my title and tags.  I go the counter and I am told that the serial number must again be reviewed by the Auto Theft Unit as it is now a complete vehicle and my 2008 document states that is only a frame at that point.  The AFU will be present on site that Thursday, October 27.  I return on the 27th and again the AFU gives me a clean bill of health on the serial number and an okay on the body (I had the invoice for the body tub to show them) and again went to the counter to get my title and tags.  Next I am told that there is some "police matter" in the computer system from 1977 in Kentucky.  I have documents that show the man in NJ has owned this since 1978, but nothing prior to that time.  Delaware DMV takes my cell phone number and says they will try to reach Kentucky DMV to resolve this.  But until then, they will not issue a title.  After I am at home I choose to call Kentucky DMV myself.  The first person said they didn't know how to deal with my issue and put me on hold.  The second person disconnected me.  I called back.  Got another person who said they could not help me.  They transferred me to another person who listened then said that if this was a "police matter" it is up to Kentucky State Police to resolve.  I called the Kentucky State Police non-emergency number on 4 occasions and got a busy signal all 4 times.  So I used their on-line contact form and wrote about my situation asking for help.  I then wrote a similar document and posted to the Kentucky DMV on-line form, then went to the Delaware State Police site and asked if they could help coordinate.  I received an automated reply from the Delaware State Police acknowledging receipt of my inquiry.  No one from Kentucky has replied in any way even just to say they received my inquiry.  What have you guys done to navigate this sort of thing?  I am sure I am not the first one to encounter this.  Thanks.  R.

10

Your CJ-3B Project / Re: Finally installed the top

« on: October 30, 2022, 01:46:25 PM »

Is that a BesTop? 

11

Engine compartment / Re: Fuel delivery issue

« on: October 22, 2022, 06:37:43 PM »

Haven't seen any black bits in the filter, but todays update.  I started over.  I drained the tank.  I took the feed I had from the drain and plugged that.  I put a double flared 1/4' fitting into the outlet of the tank.  I routed the steel line away from the exhaust and up through the frame beyond the motor mount.  I installed a new mechanical fuel pump.  I used new 1/4" fuel hose where needed.  I installed a new in line fuel filter.  Ran the Jeep at idle for about 30 minutes then drove around the yard for 10 or so, then let sit at idle, then drove around the neighborhood.  Tomorrow, a longer drive on back roads.  We'll see.  I am not upset about the extra work as i enjoy that probably more than driving.  I am upset because I don't really know what was wrong!  Grrrr.  Oh, an interesting observation.  The prior mechanical fuel pump was typically filled with fuel (in the glass bowl) about 1/2 - 3/4.  This one might be 1/4 full, but you can see movement, splashing, etc.  Gracious. 

12

Engine compartment / Re: Fuel delivery issue

« on: October 22, 2022, 09:09:50 AM »

I had originally gotten a piece of fuel hose from the local NAPA store.  This problem arose and at some point I removed the hose and tried to blow through it.  I could barely flow through the hose.  I took a piece of solid core wire and started to see where a problem might be inside the hose.  Sure enough, the hose was collapsed about 2 feet from the fuel tank and continued to be collapsed for about 16".  So I went to Advanced Auto Parts and got a piece from them.  I have not checked that hose as yet.  As far as a the fuel tank.  I purchased that tank new about 20 years ago and it sat in my shop in a box all this time.  Before finally using it, I did blow it out with air.  I first put non-alcohol fuel in the tank as I wanted to run the engine but I had not fully wired the Jeep, put in the gauges, etc and I thought it might sit for a bit between running.  So time goes by and I have the gauges hooked up.  I knew that I had about a gallon in the tank, so I added another gallon and looked at the gauge, then 2 more, and looked at the gauge.  Since I had to cut the arm for the float to length I wanted to see how close the gauge was to accurate.  So then this problem with it shutting off after about 20 minutes running came up.  So I drained the tank and I put that fuel into my car and have since used all of it.  And in the meantime, after changing the hose and whatever else, I put about 5 gallons of fresh 10% ethanol fuel back into the Jeep.  So long story, but wanted to point out - tank never used before and still looked like new steel when I looked into it with a flashlight before installing, has new fuel in the tank, has hole drilled in the gas cap (and I have tried taking the gas cap off when this happens and it changes nothing).  Oh well, today is a new day.  Off I go for the next experiment.  Oh, and I am taking your advice about the steel line and using the tank pick up instead off the drain opening.  Thanks again.  If nothing else just communicating with someone who can relate is quite therapeutic.

13

Engine compartment / Re: Fuel delivery issue

« on: October 21, 2022, 07:49:34 PM »

Thanks so much.  I thought I had a gas cap issue so I drilled a .032 hole through it.  I have a new aftermarket gas tank, that isn't to say it doesn't have issues.  My next move is to run a metal gas line to be sure the rubber line isn't collapsing (which happened during this journey!).  My next move is to run a 1/4" copper line inside the 5/16 rubber line to the fuel pump.  I also ordered a new fuel pump, just in case.  I want to run the copper inside the rubber to insulated it and use the copper to be sure the line doesn't collapse!  Good grief!  More to come.  Thanks for the feedback all.  R.

14

Engine compartment / Fuel delivery issue

« on: October 21, 2022, 03:40:17 PM »

How could a system that is this simple be making me pull the little hair I have left totally out?  Anyway, after 2 different electric pumps, replacing the feed hose twice.  Blocking off the tank outlet (the one with the flared fitting) and changing to the drain port (NPT), and reinstalling the mechanical pump...  I have having the same problem.  Jeep runs for maybe 20 minutes and then quits.  Prior to this I could see in the fuel filter that I had no fuel.  This up by the carburetor.   Now that I have the mechanical pump I also have the glass top on it.  This time when it quit I have no fuel in that bowl at the fuel pump either.  So, I pulled the hose off that comes from the gas tank to the fuel pump.  Initially it had nothing.  Then I pointed it down toward the ground by a couple of inches and quickly got fuel flow.  I plugged the hose back on the fuel pump.  I could turn the key and look directly at the pump.  I cranked for about 15 seconds, nothing.  I stopped for a moment.  Cranked for another 15 seconds and suddenly I started to have fuel in the fuel pump bowl.  Stopped for a couple more seconds.  Cranked and got fuel into the fuel filter.  Stopped for a moment.  Then lowered the hood, jumped in.  A couple pumps on the gas pedal and Vroom!  Fortunately I was only about 100 yards from my barn.  That is where she is sitting for the moment.  Any ideas at all?  I ran the hose inside the frame rail and added a couple of brackets to keep it away from the exhaust pipe.  All ideas welcome!  Thanks.

15

Engine compartment / Re: Engine temperature

« on: October 21, 2022, 03:32:26 PM »

Just an update.  I moved the temp  sender to a new hole that I drilled and tapped into the top of the thermostat housing.  It has a 170 degree thermostat and now tops out at about 185.  That is when the electric fan kicks on and it drops back to about 180 or slightly below.  So all seems okay, or at least I am going to drive it that way.