My 58 CJ3B Rebuild

[JohnK]

 This rebuild has been going on for quite a while and I haven't had the time to transfer it over.  I  haven't tracked down all the photos on my computer and Photobucket is currently holding them hostage on their site.  So for the time being - Here is the link to my prior rebuild thread on our old forum. 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/cj3b_bulletin_board/my-58-rebuild-t4655.html

However, I will add all new updates and photos here.  All bearings, Crank, Cam, pistons, timing gears, oil pump, dist, oil pickup, and pan all installed.  Putting the head on over the next couple of days.  Once the rockers are in, it will be time to wait for a warm day to paint the engine.  Just broke 32 degrees here in Northeast Ohio for the first time in 3 weeks.  My goal is to get the Willys back up and running before the end of April - but I'm going to need a 50+ day for painting the engine.   

Finished project before cracked block.

https://www.mywillyspics.com/image/juBKD
https://www.mywillyspics.com/image/ju08A
https://www.mywillyspics.com/image/ju318
https://www.mywillyspics.com/image/juztM

[Rus Curtis]

Glad you posted the link!   I'd forgotten some of the details.  It was a good read to go back through it all. 

[JohnK]

Thanks Rus,

I hadn't been through the thread in years myself.  Reminded me of your help getting it to the '15 reunion when it was just completed.  Also reminded me to get it back on the road after 5 years of delay with the cracked block.  However, there were a couple of kid's weddings, a first grandchild, and other events along that 5 year path.

John

[JohnK]

Head and block prepped...  Created some alignment studs from old head bolts.  Metal side up.

[JohnK]

[JohnK]

UPDATE:

The Willy's has made a few trips out and around to debug things.  Re-indexed the oil pump, now have good power.  Got the roll bar on.  Low oil pressure solved.  Fuel pump was leaking at the glass dome - the custom cork gasket made 8 years ago failed.   I used a neoprene washer that I had to cut up a bit but it looks like that will last a long time.  I have a lot of little things to put back on and fix- bad ignition switch, no brake lights, no tail lights, no mirrors, etc.  Definitely need new tires, ouch.  When I do that, I want to paint the rims black. 

[JohnK]

recent pics

[JohnK]

In May 2012, one of the first things I tried to do was to service the rear bearings but the hubs were stuck and I just couldn't get them off.  Well here 11 years and 4 months later I made another go of it.  No luck, 5 leg puller, heat, hydraulic puller, heat, lever bar, heat.  So I had to remove the backing plate and sent the whole thing off to a machine shop.  They used a big press and a lot of heat - without success. 

[JohnK]

Well the hub is off - cut off with a torch.  Now the next side with I'm sure the same result. Interestingly, the setup lacked any shims and the inner oil seal.  I wonder if the lack of shims is what caused the hub to get forced so securely to the axle.  Fortunately, back in 2012, I bought some hubs from Oldtime, so I don't have to go searching for replacements.

[JohnK]

The engine seemed a little low on power, checked the compression and had 0 on #1 .  How does this happen? Top of push rod fused to adjustment screw.

[JohnK]

Sad side note - had to put down my 15 year friend - Natalie (Natty).

[Rus Curtis]

Well the hub is off - cut off with a torch. 

Glad you're through that hurdle.  I've read some have popped them loose by loosening the nut and driving around a while.  I've also read that to help prevent that from happening again, you can apply some anti-seize to the shaft before assembly.

[JohnK]

Hi Rus,

I just pulled the axle on the other side.  Again, the hug wouldn't come off so I removed the 6 bolts holding everything in.  I'm going to tell them to just cut the hub off since I already have a replacement.  I will apply the anti-seize on reassembly. I'm going to work on the lights and turn signals while I wait for my replacement parts.

[JohnK]

The Willy's is going to spend some time in Austin with my son.  He'll be able to enjoy it while the snow flies here in Northern Ohio.  The Willy's arrived two days after Thanksgiving hours before we were scheduled to fly home.  While it ran decently and only has 5 miles or so on it, it required the choke half open to stay running.  It was delayed in shipment and I had planned to work on it in Austin over the holiday using the full set of tools I sent down with it.  To my son's disappointment upon his return from a airport run for family, he returned to find that I had removed the carb.  "Geez Dad, you finally finish and have it running after 15 years, and you make it non-running ! I've could have taken it to a mechanic for the carb". 

My son's aren't really experienced with tools and auto repair in general and frankly my daughter is better and fixing and figuring things out.  So I made an executive decision - I'm confident in my rebuild of the engine, however 8 years ago I "rebuilt" the carb with a good kit.  But now it was in Austin and the carb obviously has issues that I can't address from a 1000 miles away.  I envisioned him spending 1000's of bucks with mechanics trying to fix it in Austin- it's not a cheap city, everything is two to three times as expensive there.  So, Scout Pilot has the carb now.  I know that Rick will send back the Carter is perfect condition.  I'll walk my son thru the carb re-installation - hell maybe I'll fly down and we can have fun together putting it on.  In the end though, I know I made the right decision to get it back running well quickly as opposed to my son spending big bucks on unknown mechanics.   

[JohnK]

BTW, I did not torch off the other rear hub.  I cleaned and re-loaded it with grease. Axle nut on but not torqued. Gonna try Rus's suggestion to see if it pops as it puts its first 500 miles on in Austin.  My son said "how will i know if it pops" - I said, I don't know exactly but I expect you will when it happens.  All the new parts for the rear hub rebuild (bearing / cup / grease retainer / shims etc.) are there.  So maybe I'll have a reason to escape the winter cold here and perform the last major part of this restoration of this Willy's that I inherited in 2008.