CRLAMBERTJR

I've already sub to that link, a good one ! Thx, chart will come in handy. IIRC, some of the JKS are for 0-6" CAs. A bit pricy though !!! Thx for the tips and advice. I'll have to check out your build if you have one !

Basslicks

Any time... you can view my build here.... https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/we...0/#post2613213

I'm in the process of indexing it though, so give it a day or so.

CRLAMBERTJR

I haven't been up to it, finally felt like doing something ! Here's what the plan was,,, change oil, new rear main seal and oil pan gasket, distributor gasket and the oil filter adapter gasket combined with replacing the new front JK black shocks and new rubber bushings and hardware. So, I had a noisy lifter, and decided what the hell, I put 6oz of ****foam in it, I know, I know. Anyway, I warmed up the engine first, put it in and let it idle bout 20mins. After a couple minutes the culprit quietened down. As the oil got thinner, you could hear all of them about the same, but a little louder. I'm not touting the praises of Seafoam, enough threads on here as is !!! But it is great to have a can around when grass cutting season hits, and you're out of either !!! So, I hit all of the bolts with Kryloil night before. First thing I did was unhook the battery cables, lifted one side to check ball joints and tie rods, that's my next job, with the ZJ tie rod upgrade. So, not surprised one bad BJ,,, ie, ball joint, though I have had a couple bad ones, really !!! Also found a bad u-joint on the short axle. No big deal, planning on doing them along with the BJs & TRs anyway. So next , I decided to go ahead and remove my shocks,,, because someone on here, hell, may have been a Haynes comic book, said that it would let the axle drop, and make it easier to remove the oil pan??? Well that went over like a lead balloon, it didn't drop a bit !!! So next, after oil cooled, I decided to go ahead and pull the drain plug. I decided to let it drain overnight, before I pull the pan. Then started working on switching the bar pins from the old XJs to the new JKs. I did it quite admirably, with very few four letter words, using a big c-clamp and an assortment of sockets and extensions. Had to press the metal sleeves out of the JKs before reinstalling the XJ bar pins. That wasn't too bad used a big deep socket and 3/8" extension. The second one was easier as I just used the first sleeve! Getting the bar pins off the JKs was a little tougher, but manageable. I hit the sharp corners on one end of them before pressing them back into the JKs. That was a breeze. Actually, I didnt care for the fit. I thought that they were a tad smaller, maybe 3/32" ??? Wish they had been more snug. I'll see how they do, if they move any, I'll just have to lick my calf over. I'm crossing my fingers that they will be ok with the weight on them ? I had planned ahead and bought new hardware, just in case. Bought a pr of Bilstein shock stem mount kits from Summit. They came with 2 new rubber bushings, two washers and lock nut. Not really a fan of lock nuts !!! Turns out, the old washers were better! Thicker and beefier and a little larger, 1/8" dia. than the new ones. So I only had to clean up and paint the lower ones, tops were in great shape. Was fortunate today, as no bolts broke, no bloody knuckles everything went as planned and came apart easy !!! Almost wish I had started with the rear end first ! I got a funny feeling that it's going to rear it's ugly head up and bite hard!!! The worst part that I am dreading tomorrow, is all of the cleaning from oil leaks !!! I'm planning on starting with removing the starter, then doing the distributor gasket, ( plan on using Cruiser's tip to cut the side out of an old distributor cap at the 1st plug's /rotor position, to index the install, be much easier than a screwdriver in a spark plug hole!), then drop down to the oil filter adapter, remove the old filter and replace that gasket. I think I'm going to do most of my cleaning before I drop the pan. Then pull out the oil pan, remove the cap girdle, then clean the oil pickup screen and tube. Next will be cleaning the bottom of the block's mating surface to the pan. Then it's off to the the land of rear main seals !!! My XJ has 208k, I'm hoping that the crank end isn't scored ! Put the seal back in. Thinking about checking the torque on the cap bolts? Not too sure about that yet??? Reinstall the pickup screen and cap girdle. Then the main oil pan gasket. Bolt the starter back up. Filler up with some clean fresh oil ! Was wanting to go with a full synthetic, but opted for a bit cheaper Castrol GTX high-mileage 10w-30 synthetic blend. Mainly to watch for leaks and hoping the front seal is good. That'll be my weakest link at this point !!! If I have to do that, I'll just re-use this batch till I'm sure that all the leaks are history,,, for awhile anyway. I am planning on finally settling with Rotella T6 and Wix filters. After that, if I get that far,,, I always get caught up in the cleaning,,, stick the shocks back in, hook up the battery and just let the chips fall where they may !!! Will update with progress tomorrow night. Wish me luck !!!

Basslicks

Whew! That's quite a list, man! Best of luck to you for sure!

Now... this may sound patronizing, but please don't take it that way if it does... I don't know if you've ever done the RMS on these motors before so here's a little bit of advice:

1) Get yourself one of these:



Cut the "hook" end off of it so that there's only the sweeping curve and the straight piece. Grind and polish the end smooth so there's no chance of marring the crank or block. You can use this as a pusher to push out a stubborn seal. I tried everything short of completely dropping the crank before I came up with this handy little solution. It's the perfect diameter and size to fit in that hole and around the crank and it works GREAT!

2) Get yourself a drinking straw. Preferably a larger one from McDonald's or a slurpy straw. Cut a piece about 2" long and cut one end off at an angle. This will make a "shoehorn" for the new seal to thread into. Stick the angled end of the straw into the hole that the seal goes into and you can then thread the seal into the straw and it will make life much easier getting it started.

3) Apply a generous helping of dawn dish soap to the new seal to get it to go into place without a whole bunch of cursing and grunting.

Like I said... you may have already done an RMS on one of these before, but that really helped me out a lot when I did mine.

Also - the shocks aren't so much of a limiting factor in the axle drooping out of the way of the oil pan as is the trac bar and steering linkage. If you're already planning on doing the ZJ tie rod upgrade, go ahead and disconnect the steering from the pitman arm before hand. When disconnecting the trac bar, I would definitely recommend disconnecting it from the frame bracket versus the axle because that axle connection can be a ***** sometimes. Leave the swaybar connected if you can. It might help keep the axle centered so re-attaching the trac bar will be easier.

Sounds like you've got a fun day planned, man! I'm jealous! lol

CRLAMBERTJR

Thanks for the tips ! Got me a nice HEAVY
red straw first thing this morning! Well, I don't ever remember getting this dirty working on one! Years of oil leaks and grime! I didn't get as far as I wanted to. Spent the majority of the day cleaning up underneath! I used the old oil on shop rags, then dried the places off with shop towels. I just can't see to do it half arsed! I even cleaned up all of my linkage, so it will be a lot nicer to do when I get to it. I do have to say one thing for oil leaks,,, preservation ! The floor pan bottoms are clean grey steel, like a newer car! The tranny crossmember didn't have a scratch, you could wax it !!! So I did get the oil pan out w/o disconnecting a single linkage! Plus that's with zero lift and creeper, plus there's a big damn crack in the concrete, right where I always need to be!!! I pulled the starter first. Then the pan, and pickup tube and screen. Then pulled the girdle off. Got ready start on the oil filter, but couldn't find a filter wrench, most my tools are in storage. I started to drive a screwdriver through it, but I just decided to stop for the day. My arms were fried from all of the cleaning! Will get quite a bit done tomorrow I hope? I'm in no great hurry, just piddling and taking my time, and really enjoying it! I just can't do what I use to be able to. It's a **** when I have to slide back out from under on the creeper to get another tool !!! I just had a hip replacement done, can't hardly get up !!! I worked from bout 9-5 on it,,, with several Mickey Ultra breaks, the heat is killing me with the COPD !!! Will update tomorrow's progress!

CRLAMBERTJR

Just like it says ! I had to recover from yesterdays onslaught. I could hardly walk this morning. I got up about 5am, with intentions of doing something. I had to take my lady to work so I could use the car to pick up a few things. After that me and my dog went thru the drive-thru at Mickey Ds for some breakfast. Then we ran into a friend and talked to them for a minute. Then off to Oreally's for some zipties, black RTV, mineral spirits, acetone and an oil filter wrench. Then made a beer run. By the time I got back, the ol lady called needing her car. So I had to go pick her back up, she dropped me back off at the house. Now it's near 11am an all ready too hot !!! So, I just didn't feel like wallerin around on that creeper in the sun all day. I decided to take the rest of the day off !!! Plan on getting up early tomorrow morning and hitting it while it's cooler. Will post updates tomorrow night !

Basslicks

Pace yourself, man. Rome wasn't built in a day.

EZEARL

Oh but I got to hurry up get it done before the pain gets too bad. Story of my last 30yrs. lol

Basslicks

lol.... yeah but then ya can't move for the next 3 days.

I'm not as old as you guys, but I've got sports/work injuries, bad knees, and I'm about 80 lbs overweight.... I know how it goes too.

CRLAMBERTJR

I feel ya man !!! Hell, I'm hurtin when I start !!! I slung Pepsi for 30 yrs !!! I've had some weeks that were over 6500 cases !!! That's just draggin it in off the truck ! Then you had to rotate it, fill all of the shelves, coolers and vending machines, plus building and filling the store displays !!! So you are actually handling it at least 2x !!! So, today's been messed up, HOLIDAYS!!! I did get a bit more done. Found out that my two sets of Torx sockets were too long !!! So I ordered a set of Ez Reds stubbys! So, I'll just have to wait till those get in to do the oil adapter gasket ! Pulled the cap off, got the lower half of the gasket out. Tapped the top on out easily! Layed underneath cleaning, a bunch !!! Did you know that the flex plate cover is silver ! If I ever have to do this again, it will be much easier ! I hate dirty engines! So next I cleaned the cap, cap bolts, cap girdle and it's bolts. The started on the starter. It had so much dirt and grease on it, that I had to use a rubber mallet, then a cold chisel, just to get it to break free after the bolts were out !!! When I started cleaning it, I had to use a plastic scraper, the crud was so thick, you couldn't find the screws on the solenoid! Was getting ready to start on the rest of the bolts and oil pan, but got interrupted by a 4hr nap !!! Can you believe it ! The oil pan has one spot on the edge that is curled up ? Looks like something has flew up and bent it? The gasket mating surface looks ok. I'm going to check it with a straight edge. May have to bend it down before I put it back in? Doesn't look like I'm going to be able to do anything tomorrow or possibly the next day !!! Holidays were always a PIA when I worked,,, far as I'm concerned , they still are !!! Whenever I get at it next, I see no reason why I won't be able to button it up !!! I always hated taking crap apart ! Now that everything is clean, it will be enjoyable !!! I'm hoping that the cleaning/semi-flush with the Seafoam has fixed my noisy lifters! If not, that will be another fun project. I do, really enjoy working on the jeep. Especially since I am in no hurry to have to use it. Will update with progress later.

CRLAMBERTJR

Just look at what you've got to look forward to when you're our age !!! A quote, from Jack Nicholson,,, ( Never pass up a bathroom, never waste a boner, and never trust a fart !!! ) 😁

Basslicks

Yeah... bring on the golden years! lol

CRLAMBERTJR

So, after sitting around for a couple hours, nobody was doing anything different, same ol rut ! So off to the jeep I ran !!! Ok, I was trying not to get as dirty today. First thing I did was tackle the main culprit that has been a thorn in my side since I bought the jeep! I had the cap clean and ready. So I decided to go ahead and replace the lower gasket and let the RTV skin over just a bit while I did the top one. Ok, so I did use the straw trick, got it started easily ! I had it pushed in 3/4 of the way,,, then I got the punch and a small ball peen to tap it on in. Just when I was about 3/4" left, a drop of oil lands right on my glasses !!! What the hell I figured, the hard part was over, nearly had it in all the way, so I prematurely ejaculated and instead of stopping to clean my glasses off, I just took them off, and proudly tapped er on in !!! I climbed out to get the cap and bolts, and cleaned my glasses off. Jumped under there and torqued the cap down !!! Crawled back out to take a breather, looked down at my shirt and saw a small sliver of orange !!! The same color as the gasket !!! Now I'm thinking, I just screwed up that top gasket !!! I sat there a couple more minutes, couldn't stand it anymore!!! I grabbed the ratchet and took the cap back off, drove the just new top half back out, and low and behold, I was right !!! I had put just a tiny divet, about 3/16" long and maybe 1/32" at the deepest part!!! So, off to Oreally's, $20 and 20 minutes later, I have a shot at redemption!!! I got the second started even easier this time, but this time, I broke out the KY Jelly !!! Nah, just yankin yer chain !!! I pre-greases this up, just like the first one, clean oil on the crank side, Dawn on the outer edges! I got this kitten slickern a frogs hairs !!! This time,,, I did a quick dabbing for any drips. I kept putting Dawn one the leading edge as it entered, but this time, I pushed the gasket in towards the crank, and pushed the majority of the way by hand. Now I am at about the same distance in, as I was before when I **** in my hat !!! So, I kept up the pressure against the crank, and just tapped it on in with just the weight of the chisel !!! Ahhh, success !!! So, I quickly cleaned up all of the mating surfaces of the cap, lightly reapplied some more ATV, socked that dude in there and with 100% confidence, torqued er back down in 20ft lb increments to 80. Stuck the cap girdle on real quick and torqued er down to 35ft lbs. Took a short break to catch my breath, then back down under with Scotch-brite #96 and mineral spirits. Cleaned up the block in no time. Then the fun had to stop, and they called me back into the house !!! That was an unnecessary $20 lesson, that I had learned long ago,,, patience !!! I'd taken all this time to do everything right, and blew it in less than ten seconds !!! So, reluctantly, I put the tools up, closed the garage door, and went into the house. So now, my worst part is trying to remember the exact combination of twists and turns that I used to pull the pan out, and simply reverse it !!! Bought some small zipties to secure the gasket to the pan while I do a Houdini number on it. To get it back in, I'll have to rotate the oil pick-up tube and screen, get the pan into position part way, then straighten the pick-up tube and put the bolt back in the pump and bracket. When I have the pan, nearly into position, I plan on hittin the corners with RTV. At the front of the block, just past the corners, there's a line, like a transition from the end, to the sides of the block. Wasn't like that at the rear. So I'll be watching to get that area too. At that point, just torque the pan bolts up, finish a little more cleaning on my starter. I'm going to remove the solenoid and clean up under there good too. I know one thing is for sure, next time this should be easily done within a day or less. I now know what all tools to take under the first time. Cleaning will be pretty much wipe it and go. I will say this,,, if this puppy leaks,,, and I'm going with a synthetic blend oil at first,,, if it leaks,,, I'm gonna drop a log !!!

Basslicks

Hey, I know how that is, man. That's the tip I forgot to mention....

...get two seals. I honestly can't remember if I was lucky enough to not mess up the first one or not, but everyone I talked to said to get 2 on your first time doing it because you'll more than likely mess up the first one.

I remember the feeling I had when I had all the leaks squared away. High as a kite, buddy!

CRLAMBERTJR

Ok, so, I haven't been feeling well enough to do much work. In fact , I haven't touched it in about a week ! Well for one, I ordered a nice set of stubby torx sockets, for the oil filter adapter. I didn't really want to put the oil in till I replaced the gasket. They may be here on Monday ? I've already cleaned the block and the oil pan. I want to finish cleaning the starter and all of the bolts, so that won't be too hard finishing them up. I got a little crazy and just started ordering a bunch of stuff !!! Struts and brackets for the hood, Akebono ceramic pads for the front and rear. The rear are for the ZJ disc brake swap ! Spicer 5-760x u-joints for the front axles. A front end service kit for tie rods, plus another set for ball joints. I ordered the 9/16 x 3/8 torque wrench adapter for the new exhaust manifold. A new Magnaflow cat, both NGK o2 sensors. A Spicer tie rod adjusting sleeve, just got a new Spicer ZJ long tie rod end and the matching short tie rod. Getting ready to do that upgrade. Centric smooth coated rotors for the front, watching for the rears ! Dorman, exhaust manifold bolt set. Just got a sweet deal on a new Omix heater core, opened box,,, $25 shipped!!! I'm pretty sure that there's more from EBay that I'm forgetting ??? I have a set of HD nutstrips, 62mm throttle body and 4awg battery cables upgrade coming from XJWONDERS. Another set of OEM valve cover torque spacer grommets , plus I bought a nice set of American Racing AR23s w/ BFG Long Trail Touring TAs, but I have to go pick them up at the Cherokee Crawl event in Harlan, Co. Ky in July 4-7th. I also have a nice set of the Infinity tweeter pods coming, with brand new tweeters ! Uhhhhh, I can't even remember what I've bought ! I'm working at it from all angles !!! New rubber motor and tranny mounts, brakes, ball joints , tie rods, axle u-joints, new header and exhaust system with 62mm throttle body and 784 injectors, I'm also waiting on another person, to get a used set of Banks Revolver Headers with a Magnaflow muffler??? All of the engine leaks, new RMS, oil pan, distributor and oil filter adapter gaskets. I think after this, before I do my lift , I'm going to concentrate on the creature comforts. All new A/C components and new heater core while I'm in there. Headliner, seat covers and floor liners. Then fixing all the broken wires, window, door locks, new door checks and a killer stereo with sub in the rear cubby hole ! Then comes the lift !!! This XJ is a lot like owning a boat !!! A boat, is just basically, a hole in the water that you throw money in !!! I know, I'll have a bunch more to spend on other stuff, when I get done !!! Still yet, with my jeep, I'm a kid again !!!