Painted with Dupli-color engine enamel

Lapped the valves and changed the valve seals

New timing set and head gasket

Head on. Was rushing and forgot to reinstall the lifters but thankfully I could turn the engine on the stand and install them from below

Changed out the rear main seal. Get the Fel-pro on with the plastic install tool. I torn one the Mahle one I originally tried cause it didn't have it. Mains looked good.

Installed new brass expansion plugs and sandblasted the oil pan and other engine covers. Painted the silver ones with Dupli-color cast aluminum engine enamel.

 

Modified the brackets and installed a 160 amp Durango alternator. Got to have a big stereo and the 90 amp wasn't going to cut it.



New water pump and some pulleys.

I cut down the power steering support as the end piece stops you from being able to pull the valve cover with it on.

I had gotten the intake vapor blasted but it just didn't clean up as well as I would of liked so I ended up painting it.

New A/C compressor

 

Felt pretty good to get the engine in.

 

Fabricated a bracket to hold the 200 amp circuit breaker for the alternator power output and the 150 amp stereo supply. Mounts under the reciever dryer bracket and then has a support that extends to the power distribution mount.



It's a tight fit, especially with 2ga wire.

AC line runs through but should still be easy to unhook the battery terminal


Also I stalled four seasons adapters to convert to r134a

Close to firing

 

Wow. I wish my engine bay looked that clean! Well. Done.

 

WOW!
Seriously nice work and attention to detail!
I like the fact you cleaned up the fins on the valve cover too. Kinda looks like something I would do as well?

 

Your making some fantastic progress !! Great craftsmanship , keep up the good work...

 

Thanks guys! It's been slow but I'm very happy with it so far. The valve cover buff is super easy and makes it match the top of the air box so it was a win win for sure.

 

DustyWagoneer great SJ! I'm keeping my eye open for one but they're hard to find in Canada and pricey but if I can find a good one I'm gonna have to make a spot for it. 👍

 

Coated the front end with Cosmoline Rust-Veto 342



New set of Crown fender flare brackets

Got setup for powder coating, using an Eastwood gun.

Powder coated transmission Mount plate

Fenders and grill on. Added some LED headlights.


Powder coating everything now. Wish I had bought it earlier

Cleaned and installed the splash guards and installed rivet nuts so that I can bolt them on rather than weak push clips. Also started it for the first time. I had some trouble getting it going due to a leak in the fuel regulator and then the distributor being indexed just a bit out but got that all sorted out.

 

Beautiful work!

 

Wired in a converter for the trailer lights

Started going through the transfer case I'm going to use. It's a NP242 short stick out from a 94 XJ. It was caked in dirt so I'm gonna assume every seal is leaking.

Chain didn't look stretched and the gears were in fair shape so I'm not gonna change them.

 

Great job! This is coming along nicely.

I'm right with you on the powder coating. I've been doing it for about a year now and can't believe I waited this long. With the right setup I find it much easier than painting and I'm extremely happy with the results.

 

Yeah I'm still getting the hang of it down but it's nice to not chip paint with the lightest bump.

 

That is amazing looking.. Just wish you painted the whole thing Blue..

Might have missed it, why did you only paint the engine bay Blue?