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Post by 06blackmax on Sept 13, 2014 22:43:58 GMT -6
Went and picked up my new project today. A buddy called me last week and told me he had the perfect Jeep project. After a couple phone conversations and some texted pictures. I pulled the trigger on this. It's a '88 Wrangler Sahara 4.2, 5spd. Never been messed with apparently. The nuts are still on the half doors like they've never been off the Jeep. It's only got 103k miles, even the door buzzer and interior lights work when the doors are open. The soft top was completely and utterly destroyed from age and the elements so we scrapped it. But the interior is clean and in great shape for its age. The engine is locked up for reasons unknown yet. Story is guy bought it three weeks ago and changed oil and made it three miles down the road and it stopped. So I'm prolly looking at a crank kit at the least maybe a full overhaul to while I'm in there. That will be determined at tare down. I'll get more pics up tomorrow in the light as I unload It.
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Post by c2 on Sept 14, 2014 7:31:12 GMT -6
cool!
What are your long term plans for it?
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Post by 06blackmax on Sept 14, 2014 11:32:21 GMT -6
First get it running, of course. Then build up a reliable, trail/expo based rig that I can drive to and from trails and camping areas without so much trailering. So either rebuild or replace engine. Basic SOA (spring over axle) lift, wheels and tires, gears and lockers. That will get me good and started in the direction I want to go. Maybe down the road some body armor.
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Post by davidsyj on Sept 14, 2014 12:32:31 GMT -6
Can't wait to see this thing. Nice rig to start with Tim!
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Post by Somebody on Sept 14, 2014 13:19:31 GMT -6
Very nice... Should be an interesting build! Keep us posted!
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Post by 06blackmax on Sept 14, 2014 22:17:38 GMT -6
WOW! Y'all ain't gonna believe this.
I drove it!
Yep, this afternoon unloaded it and pulled it in the shop. Got it on jack stands and dropped the oil pan. Found the reason it was locked. No. 5 main journal had spun and the crank was stuck. Here's where it gets good. I bumped the key to spin the crank and get the bearing out, it hit! Did it again and it fired up. So I shut it off and checked everything else and put the main back on and tightened everything up and reinstalled the oil pan and put oil in it and started it up. Ran good for the mains to be like they are. Drove it around my lot for a few minuets , let it get up to operating temp and checked for leaks. No smoke but some backfiring thru the carb which is from the timing chain slack I found when the OP was off. But all in all I'm pleased.
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Post by Somebody on Sept 15, 2014 8:32:47 GMT -6
That spun main probably got so hot that it locked it up.. I wouldn't run it like that for very long without a rebuild..
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Post by 06blackmax on Sept 15, 2014 11:23:58 GMT -6
That spun main probably got so hot that it locked it up.. I wouldn't run it like that for very long without a rebuild.. I'm not. It was just a freak thing that it ran. I was going to just do a compression check and it fired up. The no. 5 main cap is cracked from the stress so I'm looking into options now. I have a plan we'll see if I can make it work.
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Post by Somebody on Sept 15, 2014 13:36:28 GMT -6
That spun main probably got so hot that it locked it up.. I wouldn't run it like that for very long without a rebuild.. I'm not. It was just a freak thing that it ran. I was going to just do a compression check and it fired up. The no. 5 main cap is cracked from the stress so I'm looking into options now. I have a plan we'll see if I can make it work. Well hopefully it's nothing major or expensive.. Good luck!
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Post by mike on Sept 16, 2014 21:40:50 GMT -6
Sounds like it could just need a crank kit !! Good buy. can't wait to see how it goes
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Post by 06blackmax on Sept 18, 2014 14:08:38 GMT -6
Sounds like it could just need a crank kit !! Good buy. can't wait to see how it goes Unless I get very, very, very lucky with getting a main cap that doesn't need much fitting and machine work I may be finding a new block. The cost of fitting and machining a main cap line bore and hone to center line of rest of caps for true center line of crank has really gone up since my hotrod days. One quote I got was almost $300! Then I found a pull out 4.0 that would have to be rebuilt for $200. But......... I have thought about getting the 4.0 and building the poor mans stroker that I've been reading about. It's a 4.0 block and head that uses the 4.2(258) crank and rods with 4.0 pistons and you get a 4.6L engine. They say very good low end power which is where you want it to crawl or trail ride with. Then you use all the stock accessories and it's a bolt in. No fab work for motor mounts or changing cooling systems and no extra weight on the front axle. So that's where I'm at.
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Post by 06blackmax on Sept 18, 2014 14:13:44 GMT -6
Oh and I also scored a Besttop soft top from a Junk yard. They were pulling the motor and trans for someone else and the top was still on the Jeep. I got everything but the soft upper windows. No fares or rips. Only one seam has a few threads coming out but nothing that keeps it from sealing. Now to find soft uppers with round corners for a best top in black denim.
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Post by 06blackmax on Sept 30, 2014 5:22:48 GMT -6
Installed my junkyard soft top. Needs cleaned but in pretty good shape. Have to take to an upholstery shop for some stiching that's coming loose but no tares.
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Post by davidsyj on Oct 2, 2014 8:45:36 GMT -6
Can't beat those junkyard finds!
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Post by 06blackmax on Oct 3, 2014 5:49:08 GMT -6
Yeah I just wish I could JY find some soft uppers!?!
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