Messages

1

Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: March 28, 2016, 05:45:51 PM »

There have been three concerns/issues:

1. There is a small coolant leak, just drippy but the location of the leak has been located to be where a joint connects to the front of the engine block.

2. The right side brakes squeak when get hot after a 30 min drive. (I think we just need to loosen the shoes).

3.
And the biggest concern,
There's an oil leak where the engine mates with the transmission bell housing. I've been reading about this issue and I'm hoping its from the transmission rather than a rear main seal engine leak. The oil only leaks after driving the car, and leaks much quick after the oil (engine or transmission) is warm. We need some help with diagnosing this.

A rear main seal leak would require removing the engine and practically rebuilding it right?

And a transmission/gear oil leak seem like an easier task to fix but maybe I'm wrong...

If anyone who had had experience with this problem please feel free to reply, Thanks so much!

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Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: March 28, 2016, 05:33:36 PM »

Now, we've finished the the primary tasks and are now onto bodywork! This past weekend was spent grinding and sanding the old paint off and cleaning the body off. We only accomplished the exterior of the body. All that's left is some patching and fixing floor panels and the rear of the tub, sand the interior, and then we paint the whole thing! As of now the the car is primed and doesn't look so bad grey, so we are deciding between a darkish hunter green and some kind of machinery grey. We installed a new front bumper by the way, it really looks good.

3

Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: March 28, 2016, 05:21:22 PM »

This is long over due. Since the last time I've posted, LOTS of progress has been made. We fought our way through installing a new wiring harness and turn signals on the Jeep and in the process discovered that our voltage regulator was garbage and wrecked 2 batteries, but on a positive note, a new voltage regulator have been installed along with a fresh battery. We've had no electrical hiccups since then.

Next, we completely overhauled the suspension, replacing the old terrifying ready-to-snap-in-half leaf packs, and the shocks. This process took 2 weekends to complete but it is refreshing knowing that you won't die when the suspension breaks in the middle of a drive.

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Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: February 05, 2016, 09:46:48 PM »

Just got in a couple hours of working on the Jeep, we finally fixed the brake dilemma. It turned out that I bled the brake line poorly, so after another bleed we have a strong brakes! What a relief... although we haven't taken it for a proper test. We'll do that tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, we are going to be installing a new gas tank with a new sender gauge (the old one had a pinhole leak). If all goes well this weekend I might be able to drive the 3a myself!

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Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: February 05, 2016, 05:55:06 PM »

Thanks for explaining it to me Dre. We'll be sure to try adjusting the pushrod, because as of now the brakes don't feel like they are engaging. It'll hopefully fix it!

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Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: February 05, 2016, 05:44:09 PM »

Make sure you have the correct free play on the plunger rod going into the master cylinder when you push the brake. In relaxed position you should have 1/2 inch of free play. If no free play you may not be pushing enough fluid to all 4 wheel cylinders.

Thank you so much for helping out! When you say free play do you mean the play of the pedal between when no brakes are applied and full brakes are applied?

7

Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: February 04, 2016, 06:31:04 PM »

Over the past three weekends, my dad and I worked in the heated garage sheltered from the freezing cold. The hours and hours of work were spent finishing up all of the brakes. We replaced the three remaining drums, shoes, springs, and wheel cylinders. Most of the brake lines were replaced aside from the main line going from the master cylinder to the axle.

Then we took a test drive ...... It was so much fun when we went out in the neighborhood. Although, the brakes still aren't the best. They were soft and the pedal is a little spongy.

Here's where I need some advice, what's wrong with the brakes?

We bled the lines in the order; passenger's rear, driver's rear, passenger's front, then driver's front. Could there still be air in the line even though they were bled until no air bubble could be seen?

The shoes were adjusted so that they rubbed a little but could still move freely. We only used the middle adjusting screw and the bottom adjusting screws are so that the shoes are brought in all the way. 

My dad suggested the idea that maybe the brake pedal are needs to be adjust so that it pumps more pressure into the master cylinder. Is he right?

Thanks to those of you following our journey as we attempt to restore this jeep!

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Your CJ-3A Project / 1950 CJ3A in Chicago (Version 2)

« on: January 14, 2016, 11:46:09 PM »

NOTE
This is the second time this topic has been posted, I stupidly deleted the topic while trying to delete my PMs (it was an accident but still stupid of me). Sorry to everyone that posted here! Now to rewrite my whole story here...

ORIGINAL
Here is where it begins ... the inspiration for this come from two of my Grandparent's neighbor's that both have Willys MBs that were military surplus after WWII. My dad and I have looked on craigslist for hundreds of hours for the perfect Jeep to work on as a project for my first car. We finally ended the search in December, it happened to be a 1950 CJ3A in Indiana that was originally from golf course in Michigan. Generally, its in good condition, there is a patch panel in the floor on the passenger's side and patch panels on the back of the body. The jeep came with an era correct Blackhawk plow system and a soft top in ok condition.

LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
*Replace brakelines, wheel cylinders, drums, and e-brake
*Wire up turn signal kit
*Add passengers tail light

LIST OF EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE
*Oil line from filter to block has been replaced
*Passengers front right drum and shoes have been replaced

I will re-post the pictures tomorrow

9

Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago

« on: January 14, 2016, 07:16:51 PM »

Thanks John for fixing the pics! Ill be sure to try the software.

UPDATE:
*My dad and I bought a Harrison Heater that came off a 1953 CJ3B.
*The passengers front right brakes have been completely replaced
*Brakes still won't work until we install the new lines we got from Kaiser Willys
*An oil line leak from filter to the block was fixed, replaced the line

SOME INFORMATION THAT I LEFT OUT FROM FIRST POST:
*Speedometer and Odometer both aren't working (not sure when they stopped or why but it probably has to do with the rust)
*Gas gauge won't go below reading half a tank of gas
*Ammeter doesn't work
*I believe the oil pressure gauge does work (at least the needle isn't stuck) it reads 40
*Some good news - The temp. gauge works! not sure how accurate it is but that's a plus for me.
*The pins holding in the windshield vent and under-seat tool compartment are both snapped (not a huge deal but means you've always have AC when driving)
*The Vacuum Wiper line is not attached. I have no clue whether it will work. However, it does move freely when spun by hand)
*The lights and everything were working but we plan to replace most of the wires, as we are going to be installing a turn signal kit and a passenger's rear tail light

I hope I didn't leave anything out. I'll post more when I get time to work on it. Finals are coming up next week so I'll be busy in the mean time.

10

Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago

« on: January 11, 2016, 09:40:54 PM »

Sorry about the upside down pictures. Does anyone know why they appear upside-down? On my computer as I upload them they are right-side up.

11

Your CJ-3A Project / Re: 1950 CJ3A in Chicago

« on: January 11, 2016, 09:14:49 PM »

Yeah for the most part it's rot and rust free! I'm working on posting more photos.

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Your CJ-3A Project / 1950 CJ3A in Chicago

« on: January 11, 2016, 08:59:19 PM »

This project was inspired by my Grandparent's Neighbor's Willys MB surplus cars that they own. My dad and I both agreed to get some sort of Jeep as a project car to work on to learn more about cars and the way they work. Willys Jeeps are more simple than newer cars with electronics and such in them (Less things that can possibly go wrong).

But anyways, fast forward a year of looking on craigslist for the perfect jeep and WE FOUND IT! It happens to be a 1950 CJ3A with two previous owners that I know of, but probably more though. The first owner (that I know of) was a golf course in Michigan, they used it to plow snow. The second owner (the guy that sold it to us) was located in Indiana. The guy we bought it from restored his own MB.

We got this Jeep in mid December with plans to restore it to the point to be drivable as my first car. My dad and I have an imaginary deadline for the jeep to be completed mechanically and be licensed and registered by June.

The main thing that we've been working on is the brakes, we've decided to replace everything (drums, cylinders, and lines). That has been our main task for the time being.