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North AtlanticMaine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC
Justin, I posted a few videos on my YouTube channel. Sadly I don't have one of you almost rolling. He also didn't get the one of me tagging that tree coming down that nasty dropoff.
Well, after several starts and stops it looks like I've got the XJ back among the living. The replacement of the head with a Clearwater piece went well and I was starting to get a little cocky when Murphy showed up. When I went to reinstall the intake manifold I noticed that the flange that has the bolt hole closest to the firewall was gone. Cleanly broken off right where the bottom of the runner for #6 cylinder meets the manifold body. Since I've never had the manis off before, it must have been the mechanic that replaced the cracked exhaust collector in order to pass inspection when we bought it 4 years ago. He probably got a little zesty during the reinstall. Found a replacement on EBay for $65 and two days later resumed work.
Again, I was moving along nicely until last night when I did the test fire and the serpentine belt started screaming like a banshee. Checked the belt and the pulleys and since the current belt was of unknown age and had just gone through a traumatic experience, opted to pick up a new one.
This morning, while installing the new belt, I find that the alternator pulley is seized up tight. Bad words were said. I replaced the alternator and reinstalled the belt and the electric fan and tested again. Apparently Murphy had moved along. The Jeep started up fine, idled smoothly and the 10 minute test drive in 97 degree heat plus another 10 idling resulted in 210 on the gauge and correct operation of the clutch fan and the electric fan.
Now I'm working on getting the Jeep guts out from under my nails and patiently waiting on the Programbo package with some rebuilt injectors. After that, it's on to the much needed rework of the suspension. And the brakes. And the exhaust. At this rate by the end of the summer, the boy might have a reliable runner back.
Parts list for this evolution:
-radiator, stat, rad cap & hoses
-water pump
-coolant temp sensor
-power steering pump and lines
-cylinder head
-intake manifold
-alternator
-clutch fan
-electric fan
-distributor cap, rotor, plugs and wires
-750 ml bottle of Breckenridge whiskey
Thats awesome. Good job.
I know how much fun all that work is, took me 6 tries to get the intake seated correctly. And two head swaps to get the coolant out of the engine.
Went to All Breeds today and met up with e_hall. After all my head and coolant issues this is the first time ive driven the jeep more than 15 minutes. Drove one hour to the show, wheeled the obstacle course about 4 times, drove 30 minutes to Hanover for a friend, then back home one hour. The Jeep did great.
I drove the Jeep around a little today and I did hear some belt/pulley screech. I'm thinking it's the idler on the adjuster since the water pump, PS pump and alternator are new and the AC compressor seems fine. I know how good it must have felt to drive yours for as much time as you did over the weekend. I'm shooting for a shakedown cruise on Friday just to prove that it's good to go.
I drove the Jeep around a little today and I did hear some belt/pulley screech. I'm thinking it's the idler on the adjuster since the water pump, PS pump and alternator are new and the AC compressor seems fine. I know how good it must have felt to drive yours for as much time as you did over the weekend. I'm shooting for a shakedown cruise on Friday just to prove that it's good to go.
It was great. After not being able to drive it for 3 months, I missed it. I drive it more than my daily driver now.
Since my last post I decided to do the rear brakes. They were clearly contributing zero stopping power and I'm kinda surprised. I would think that rivets would do a better job than they were. :-/. Drums were called for.
Engine: 4.0L HO I-6, 703 Injectors, Brown Dog Super Engine Mounts
Anyone wanna buy my trailer hitch?
Reese Towpower Class III Pro-Series Hitch, Fresh coat of paint. Solid as a rock. No hardware currently, but I can get you most of it once I swap in my new bumper mounts. $75 OBO
07-06-2016, 08:10 PM
