It's finally here

[OlDaz]

Thanks for comment. It's way stronger than the original cable mount with heavy wall thickness, seems to work fine so far.

[OlDaz]

Dare I temp fate and comment? The electrical system is now completed apart from connecting the wiper motor when it arrives. Finally got the rest sorted and the high beam indicator light was the last piece of the puzzle. Brakes all done, wheels, tyres, mudguard (fender) flares done, windscreen fittings done. Think I only need to fit the wiper motor, connect the vacuum gauge, give it a service and it should be ready for roadworthy check, then I can get it on the road. Will add more pictures when it comes out of my workshop soon after Christmas.

[Rus Curtis]

Well now you've done it.  Not paranoid at all, but for this reason I hold back until it has happened.  lol

Hopefully, all the pieces will fall in place.

[OlDaz]

Only need to grease the front drive shaft and front drag link joint and underneath is finished. New oil and filters right through and back to waiting for parts - rear view mirrors and new vin tags on the way.
Someone was asking about the firewall modification for the 6 cylinder engine, so hopefully I've attached a picture of each side of the firewall.

[OlDaz]

Finally down off the jack stands and ramps. Underneath is finished and chassis number confirmed. Had to pull the right front fender to get at it. Now waiting for some parts, also waiting for the canvas guy to return from holidays so he can stitch up a bikini top for me. Got the design and canvas, just need to add dimensions.

[OlDaz]

Well things get in the way sometimes. Went to book in for a roadworthy check and first question was "does it have the original engine?"  Life went downhill from there. Even though it had been previously registered with this engine, things have changed. South Australia (where the Jeep came from) updated their registration system to digital in 2010 and all old records of previously registered vehicles were "lost". Further downhill we go, sinking feeling in pit of stomach - Victorian registration branch has updated there requirements for motor vehicle registration - any modifications from original need engineering approval and they quote several papers and give you a list of approved engineers. Following down this path and due to the power increase % and capacity increase % it turns out Jeep will need a minimum of dual circuit brakes, collapsible steering column, approved roll cage, approved seat belts, etc, etc. I added up the costs associated and it would be close to $10k to put it on the road legally. I moved it to the back corner of my workshop and it stayed there until early this month when I bought a used F-134 engine from another Jeep guy. I'm now in the process of restoring this engine and of course waiting on parts again. No engineers certificate if fitted with an original type engine, so hoping to get it on the road sometime this year.

[SteveKfl]

Another "government gotcha" trying to drive out "motoring enthusiasts and DIY hobbyist"... IMO. 

[Rus Curtis]

Good times.....

So you've got an "inspection" engine to prep.  What happens after the inspection/registration is complete?

[OlDaz]

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.

[OlDaz]

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.

[OlDaz]

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.

[Bruce_W]

  Check the flat part of the aluminum neck that bolts to the block and supports the screen. They are always warped and dont fit flat on the block, resulting in an air leak. File it flat.
BW

[OlDaz]

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.

[OlDaz]

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.

[OlDaz]

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.