Too rusty to save?

[1955CJ-5]

I found this today while getting the engine parts together...a cracked exhaust manifold..



Time to order more parts!

[1955CJ-5]

The transmission is sort of installed

First the mount is installed on the transmission



Then I put the crossmember in

[1955CJ-5]

Here I double checked the fit of the mount before trying to make it fit while holding the transmission..(Thanks Jack!)



Fortunately I had two mounts, on the one the studs were about 1/8" too far apart...the other fit perfectly

Ready now...trying not to scratch things up..



(almost) nothing to it!  The transfer case is liable to be a different story, it's a heavy hard to hold lump...

[1955CJ-5]

Yesterday I finished up the brake install and replaced the steering bellcrank bearings, and hooked it all up..I bought a brake line kit from Walcks. It fit beautifully...all the right bends..



It goes fast when everything is clean and ready for assembly..

The machinist called and he will start assembling the engine on Tuesday.....

[1955CJ-5]

Ready for the transfer case..



In position, sorta...



It went to the frame rail, then to a step-stool with a pad, and then it was just a gentle lift into position..



My wife aligned the clutch cross-tube and started the bolts while I held it on place...

[1955CJ-5]

Then the brake/clutch cross-tube..





And finally the rear drive shaft



It's been years since the driveshaft had been installed....

[1955CJ-5]

Here is a shot of the master cylinder way back when...February or March..



And one today...

[athawk11]

Randy,
You are really flying along.  It's really looking good.

Please tell me you're retired...

Cuz, if you're not, you're making me feel like a real schmuck.

It took me a year and a half to get where you're at.

Tim

[1955CJ-5]

Retired and working on old jeeps...what could be better?

I need to tell myself to slow down and enjoy this part because it took lots of time and effort to get here....

[1955CJ-5]

I see it's been nearly a week since I posted an update...I have been working on the tub and frame but it's mostly little stuff like sanding and scraping and a little assembly here and there..

But I did disassemble, clean, lube, reassemble and paint the distributor...maybe not in the correct order but I wanted to put it back together right away after cleaning so I would not get the parts mixed up...

[1955CJ-5]

I've been looking at the throwout bearing and slider/carrier..

The old one is on the right in both pictures..





You will notice that the return spring fastens in different places on the two carriers, and the section where the bearing rides is larger/taller on the old carrier.

Is there any reason for this? Should I use one over the other?

The old one is really a better fit on the front bearing retainer....and there is no good reason to not use it that I can see.

[1955CJ-5]

Some people may not consider this art....but I think it is beautiful!

A 4 1/2" side grinder and one of those wire wheels can do some serious paint-bondo-rust removal....



The ongoing battle with the overlayed side panels...



Really if it hadn't been for the overlayed sheet metal this repair would have been so much easier...I should have just cut it all out right off the bat....live and learn!

[NoCoWillys]

Where did you get the replacement throwout bearing?  If I remember my replacement, it was nearly identical to the one I pulled off. 

[1955CJ-5]

I got the bearing and carrier set from Walcks...it fits and would work just fine, it just isn't exactly the same as the one I took out.

[1955CJ-5]

Closer and closer to paint....



More cleaning and wire wheel work, then epoxy primer..and then I get to play with the body filler, then some primer-filler and then the color coat!

It's going to be gray. Kind of a medium-dark shade. I have a sample on the tailgate, I'll need to get a picture...

The engine is being assembled. The crank is in and he will do the cam/valves and pistons tomorrow....after that it'll be nearly ready to set in the frame....