My son thinks OUR XJ is a submarine! I think it has caused us an alternator already.

I have built some inner fender extensions and front flaps under the fans out of heavy belting, trying to keep some water and mud out of the vitals.

Any suggestions on how to further protect from water?

I have seen water lines up to mid motor, easily over the top of the starter and alternator.

Also, as anyone ever laid a bead of silicone around the distributor cap to try to keep water out?

I'm afraid to get a snorkel, he may drown!

 

Is the belting the kind that was used for old tractors to power sawmills and pumps and stuff? If so how hard is it to form, I have plenty of it in my backyard I want to use.

As far as waterproofing there is a type of grease for electrical connections but I forget what it is called. The easiest solution would be to get your son to buy his own XJ.

 

Don't use silicon use grease. It's waterproof, and unlike silicon, it can be taken apart easily when it's time for service.

 

I sealed up my dist. cap with silicone (tj) and it worked very well. I was always having issues with it running rough after water crossings and it all stopped once i sealed it. It's just a bi#$# to get it off.

I would suggest a front OEM skid plate. It'll push the water away from the fan which is usually what kicks up water/mud.

 

The belting is a black rubberized fabric that is really strong. You can drill it and install with large flanged rivets. I will bend and flex a little, but it is strong enough to hold its shape.

Thanks for the grease idea on the cap Ol' Blue.

 

the electrical grease is dielectric grease dont use it, it aids in electrical conduction and will most likely short something out use regular grease

 

ive heard of the grease trick also, i have also heard of spraying everything down with wd-40 which stands for water displacement but havent tried it

 

I had a list one time of all the things WD-40 was good for. It was a heft 2 - 3 page list. That stuff is amazing and will do just about anything.

 

Dielectric grease does not conduct electricity. It serves to seal and waterproof.


You are thinking of the grey aluminum contact paste known as "Ox-Guard" or similar products.



Joe
EndlessMtnFab

 

mhm. I have dielectric grease on all my plugs and wires, raised breathers, sealed the dist cap with silicone (and raised the breather on it), and have my intake running through the cowl. I've been up to the hood plenty of times without an issue.

 

X2

 

you guys are missing one of the most important parts, the intake, either make a snorkle or build a shield the intake from the big puddles thats how i hydro locked mine

 

Incorrect..

Dielectric

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A dielectric is a nonconducting substance, i.e. an insulator. The term was coined by William Whewell in response to a request from Michael Faraday.[1] Although "dielectric" and "insulator" are generally considered synonymous, the term "dielectric" is more often used to describe the insulating material between the metallic plates of a capacitor, while "insulator" is more often used when the material is being used to prevent a current flow across it.

 

it should be used on all connections

 

Where do you find a front skid plate? Junkyard? Dealer? If so what's a good price for it?