Muddy Waters in my engine

Topher

Jeep Owner
Pretty much...water pump, radiator, radiator cap and thermostat ordered. I still need to order a intake/exhaust manifold gasket. I've got some exhaust bolts near the transmission skid plat that need drilling out. Two of the three broke when removing. Haven't taken a close look yet, might be able to press them out ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 

Topher

Jeep Owner
The engine will be ready today, hooray! I have to work tomorrow morning from 8 to 11ish and plan to pick up the engine after work. I'm taking Monday off so I can get more wrench time in. I'm equally nervous and excited. I still have a lot of work to do before dropping in that engine. I'm not going to rush it. I could see this taking a while. You never know I might get lucky and everything goes into place without issue the first time.....LOL like that would happen.
 

Topher

Jeep Owner
Got the long block (a month ago) and it looks amazing. Life has been busy, which has resulted in slow progress on this adventure. Adding clutch release bearing and crankshaft bearing to the list. The clutch release/throw out bearing is shot. I've got a lot of cleaning done and still some to go.

After this post I'm creating an inventory and a checklist for install. I need to do this to help me finish.

I recently bought a website for the Jeep to share its history. Once I secure email services I'll open some media accounts and launch the site. Hehehehe, launching a website sounds official. This site will just be for fun so don't expect much.

Hope everyone had a nice day with family and friends.
 

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Topher

Jeep Owner
Progress has been made. I've purchased many more parts and tools along the way. I've stopped freaking out over spending money and just getting what is needed to make this happen. I attempted to install the motor with the transmission still in place. I got really close, but couldn't get that angle just right. Once I dropped the trans, I had the motor mounted in no time. As usual stuff happens for good reason. One of the boots on the nv3550 was torn up bad. Had I not dropped the trans I might have introduced debris threw the worn out boot. Friday night a couple of my friends helped me mount the trans. They did most of the work, it was a huge help. So far the bolts are just hand tight. The replacement bolts I got for the two e12 bolts weren't long enough, 1 1/2 inch long. I have some 2 inch long bolts that helped to get the trans and engine to meet, but I'm afraid they are too long. I plan to find some 1 3/4 inch bolts tomorrow during my lunch break. I could go on and on about all the wonderful challenges I've had the pleasure to overcome 🤬. Saturday morning I took the catalytic converter and muffler to my local Triple A Muffler shop and asked the guy to remove and replace the 3 broken bolts I broke off. I went back in the afternoon and he didn't charge me. It made my day :cool:. Today I installed the exhaust & intake manifolds, ac compressor & power steering. I also drained the front diff and the fluid was fine. I know I should have done that back in February or March, but I didn't. I spent at least 50 minutes today on the wire wheel cleaning bolts. Each time I think I can get something done quickly, I learn there's work I didn't account for. Positive thoughts plus one bolt at a time has made this a good experience. I think I'm within a week of getting this baby rolling again.
 

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Tuley11

Weekend Wheeler
Progress has been made. I've purchased many more parts and tools along the way. I've stopped freaking out over spending money and just getting what is needed to make this happen. I attempted to install the motor with the transmission still in place. I got really close, but couldn't get that angle just right. Once I dropped the trans, I had the motor mounted in no time. As usual stuff happens for good reason. One of the boots on the nv3550 was torn up bad. Had I not dropped the trans I might have introduced debris threw the worn out boot. Friday night a couple of my friends helped me mount the trans. They did most of the work, it was a huge help. So far the bolts are just hand tight. The replacement bolts I got for the two e12 bolts weren't long enough, 1 1/2 inch long. I have some 2 inch long bolts that helped to get the trans and engine to meet, but I'm afraid they are too long. I plan to find some 1 3/4 inch bolts tomorrow during my lunch break. I could go on and on about all the wonderful challenges I've had the pleasure to overcome 🤬. Saturday morning I took the catalytic converter and muffler to my local Triple A Muffler shop and asked the guy to remove and replace the 3 broken bolts I broke off. I went back in the afternoon and he didn't charge me. It made my day :cool:. Today I installed the exhaust & intake manifolds, ac compressor & power steering. I also drained the front diff and the fluid was fine. I know I should have done that back in February or March, but I didn't. I spent at least 50 minutes today on the wire wheel cleaning bolts. Each time I think I can get something done quickly, I learn there's work I didn't account for. Positive thoughts plus one bolt at a time has made this a good experience. I think I'm within a week of getting this baby rolling again.
So close!
 

Topher

Jeep Owner
It's alive!!!!!!!!!!!! My first start attempt on Thursday January 9th 2020 and it was a fail. My battery was 3.5 years old and had not been used in 11 months. I attempted to charge it a few days before attempting a start, but it was still a bit weak. After the first attempt I thought maybe my cable grounds were not ideal. I moved one ground cable to a new location, but still no love on the start. By this point it was almost 10 PM, so I opted to rest up for the next day. I got released from work early on Friday due to possible bad weather, so I got a jump on replacing the battery and permanently relocating one of my grounding cables. The weather rolled in before I could finish. My next door neighbor (awesome guy) has been around to help me out from time to time. We got to talking about the failed start and he asked how does the motor know when to dump fuel in and ignite a spark? There's no distributor so how does that work. I told him I don't know, but that sounds like my problem. Back to researching. I forgot that I had read plenty of posts about the importance of not altering the camshaft position sensor. At this point you can tell I only know just enough to make stuff work. I understand a lot, but there's so much more I don't. Anyway I found that I have to locate top dead center of piston #1. Enter youtube and some guy showing a way to location this via the crankshaft pulley and some numbers on the engine. Mine didn't look like that, but there was a metal indicator next to the pulley and a small notch in the back of the pulley. I figured this must be what I need lined up. I got it really close to the indicator. At 2:30 PM on Saturday January 11th 2020 Scratchy started up with no issue. I can not express how much joy this brought me. I still feel amazing when I think about what I've done. It's somewhat unbelievable that I actually did this. Sunday morning my wife (Lesli) went to the front window to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She said it was just like the day after buying a new Jeep. You have to look at it the next day to make sure it's still there.

I did about a minute initial break-in then proceeded to a 30 minute break-in for the cam shaft. I based what to do off of information I found on jeepstrokers.com After the 30 minute break-in I replaced the oil filter and topped off the oil. So far we've put 145 miles on Scratchy. Lesli is the primary driver and understands the break-in procedure. She like me feels like a dope stilling at a stop light revving the engine to keep is from idling at any RPM.

Failed start -

Winning start -

I'm pretty sure I started the website and Instagram account to help me stay motivated. By the end of February I'll have the website updated with a list of all the parts and tools I purchased to make this happen. I have a lot of plans for the website, we'll see if they happen. Right now it's only one photo and a link to the IG account.

I've approached Scratchy's IG account as though the poster is the Jeep. Kind of dump, but also kind of fun. I've been digging through all my personal Jeep media and posting it in chronological order. Turn on the sound when watching the videos.

Here's my personal Instagram account. Currently more photos of our Jeep here, but that will change soon enough.

Thank you for the support. This has been a welcoming forum to post my story.
 
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