You guys shoulda said something.....

[racer 1]

Love this string!  Just what a new Willys fan needed!

  Dan  

[BMIC]

Welcome D, if you own a Willys you just landed in Jeep nirvana... If your CJ3A is not running make sure your computer is, you'll be on it a lot. As a fellow new guy I can tell you that you will need to know at least 3 things to get started:
#1 Bringing a new CJ3A to these pages is like bringing a new baby home to the family. It can have 3 toes and be crosseyed and everyone here will tell you how beautiful it is.
#2 Learn PhotoBucket
#3 Learn PhotoBucket
Others will help you start you Willys ...
PS #4.. Read between the lines, besides having some very smart people here there is also some people with histories as rich as the Willys CJ3A.

[racer 1]

Amen brother!!!!!!!!! �

 ï¿½I picked it up at the local bone yard sittin out by the road. By rights she should be a parts doner but I have a vision!!! Don't we all? �Rusty as all get out, Brand new looking goodyears if you ignore all the weathered cracks. Came with a plow minus any way to lift it. Plow frame is still under my little cutie.
Even has what I've searched to be a Koenig Cab. It stops just behind the seats not the all the way to the tail gate version. �

First evening home was a real treat. My 19yr old son was at his auto tech class so I started without him. Soaked the head with WD around the plugs didn't even give it a try the way they looked. Been there-Done that. �checked the dip stick and was surprised to find a fresh batch of nice clear oil. Gulp! Why would this be? Found 93 chaulked on the radiator shroud. Last oil change me thinks. Tossed in a 12 volt battery. Then a toggle switch with resistor to the coil. About then sonny boy rolled in from school. Time to turn it over! �Pulled the plugs, all snapped loose just like I planned. Layed them on the head to see about spark. Had junior give it a shot with the foot pedal and it turned over like nobodys business! �No Spark though. Pulled the cap which looked good inside and made my way to the points. Didn't think the green stuff was factory so I scratched them clean with my pocket knife and gapped them as best as I could remember a match book thickness. Still no spark, Put them back in to see how she would turn over with compression and tossed a little fuel down the carb for good measure. Much to our surprise she fired! �Original fuel pump had been abandoned and an electric pump had been added but nolonger functioned. �Can anyone say gravity feed!!!!!!!! Put the can on the radiator and sucked some fuel to the carb. Still cant believe it ran. �warmed it up a bit and then started pushin in the choke. It idled down and purd like a kitten. � STill at half choke so I'm guessin the idle circuit will need some attension! �What a riot, were hooked!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://s1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh625/DanErikson/?action=view&current=Willy3.jpg
 

[F Bill]

Great story, Dave.  Can't wait to hear more!

[Chasm]

I had to respond to this thread... humor and some good Jeep advice combined!

Rule #1: When you get married the 2nd time, be sure she owns a Jeep! (It worked for me.)
Rule #2: Explore options for alternative shipping addresses for your parts. It may save you tax if you work in one state but live across the border like me. It also keeps the parts boxes (and receipts / packing list) off the front porch. You know... out of sight, out of mind!
Rule #3: Tell her that you are restoring a piece of American automotive history and be sure to show her how much that Willys sold for at the Barrett Jackson (sp?) auction out west!

My wife accepts my Jeep addiction, but she also refers to my CJ3A as "the blonde *" (read: other woman), however, I like to refer to the CJ3A as "Old Yeller!"

I like my Willys Jeep for a lot of reasons. She lets me take a ride whenever I want. She doesn't care if I leave the garage door up or down. She doesn't get mad when I look at other Jeeps. She doesn't get mad when I look under the hood of my buddy's Jeep. She actually likes the calendars and magazines with photos of other Jeeps.

(I can go on...!) �;)

[racer 1]

The resto saga continues!

 ï¿½Well, she runs! Next step,lets go for some gears. �Sonny boy stepped on the clutch pedal but all he could get was some grind. �Ouch! Hate that sound. �Called it a day. �Chatted with a few buddies at work and we all agreed the pressure plate must be stuck on the flywheel. Gotta pop it some how. �Before we parked it against the nearest tree we decided just try rocking it. �Sonny boy #2 was home from college so he jumped in put it in gear and stepped on the clutch. My mechanic trainee and I started pushin and pullin, SNAP and she rolled free!! �Fire it up! �She moved in all gears and the trans feels nice and tight. �Clutch felt pretty good too with plenty of pedal. �Everybody took a turn makin the 8' trip back and forth in the garage. �Found one issue though, NO BRAKES. � The next day we thought it was time for the 100' trip back and forth down the driveway. Turned out she works in both high and low ranges. �Back to the garage to the jack stands to test the 4WD! �All worked well.

 Now she �sits on the stands with all the hubs pulled and brakes stripped out of her. Shoes had a bunch of meat on them so we left them hang.

 Now we're waiting for the tax return to replace all the hydraulic parts of the brake system. �Got all the parts already on the wish list!

Thank goodness for all the stash some cash ideas you guys have perfected!

 ï¿½Dan

[calvinhunt]

Welcome Dan,

  Enjoying your posts already.  It's great to relive past experiences through someone else.  As BMIC stated a bit earlier, Learn PhotoBucket.  We'd love to see some pics of your new acquisition.  Being born in the BC (before computers) myself, it was difficult to master the technique, but I did.  With your young sons at home it should be a since.  

  Again, welcome.

[RandyA]

Dan...good stories...also good memories your making with your sons...sounds like you have all  ready adopted a new member ....with a Willys logo....good luck with your project....