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Bad Engine News … Anyone have an extra v6 crankshaft?

• CATEGORIES: Biscuit This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Last October, I bought a 1980 buick v6 with approx 50k miles that had been built to put out approx 250hp. The engine details included:  "9.1 Compression, Hypereutectic Pistons, Balanced, 288 Duration Cam, Head is Ported with 174-150 Stainless Valves, Aluminum Edelbrock Performer Intake 4 Barrel, Holley Aluminum Valve Covers,High Volume Oil Pump".  Those are the kind of v6 specs I wanted, so it sounded ideal.

The guy I purchased it from (off craigslist of course) said it would likely need new rings and cam bearings, but everything else should be good to go.  So, I've been looking forward to the engine rebuild as I figured it would be pretty straight forward.

So, yesterday I started taking apart the engine.  Everything looked as expected until I pulled off the heads.  Inside number 1 & 2 chambers were some rust, thick carbon deposits and dust (see upper right pick — it's not horrible, but dirtier than I expected).  At that point, I decided the entire engine needed an inspection, so I pulled everything out.  When I got to the crankshaft, I could see there was definitely some wear — I would need to take it to a machine shop and have them review it.

This morning, I did just that.  First we discovered it had already been turned 010 and, after pulling out his micrometer, he determined that we'd have to go at least to 030, but he wasn't sure there was enough metal left to make that work.

So, I'm on the hunt for a cheap v6 with a good crank, or find a crank by itself (perhaps at a junkyard?), or buy a new one — approx $500 that I didn't intend to spend.

Stay tuned … 

 
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1963 M170 Ambulance Gig Harbor, Wa $2500 obo

• CATEGORIES: M-170 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I’ve never heard of this type of jeep (this is becoming an all to familiar statement!). Here’s some more info on this jeep from the Olive-drab.com website

“I am moving and need to get rid on this project, its a military ambulance. It comes with a fuel injected 4.3 with NV 3500 and NV 231 case, Wiring harness and computer, steering column, peddle assembly, Ford 9″ with Strange 31 spline shafts, HP Dana 30, the original top and doors (brand new), tailgate, windshield frame, hood, grill, gas tank, fenders. The frame already has YJ leafs mounted to it and they have been out boarded for a better ride. The jeep just needs to be put together. Have title. 2500 obo”

Here is a pic of the M-170.  Note the extra wide entrance on the passenger side vs.  the normal looking CJ-5 looking entrance on driver’s side.

 
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Builds — Chris Olson

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is a build done by Chris Olson that I found at the BC4x4 website.  He found a beat up '48 CJ-2A, made a variety of mods, and ended up with a highly modified, but ordinary looking, CJ-2A.

"At first glance, Chris Olson's 1948 CJ2A Willys looks rather plain next to his brother's LJ80 Suzuki. Your first impression would be that it's another flat fender Jeep with big tires and a spring-over-axle conversion. But like his brother's Suzuki, Chris' Jeep isn't what it appears to be. In fact, it is more Toyota than Jeep. This flat fender reflects Chris' pragmatic attitude toward building a 4×4. Choices were made due to cost, availability and functionality. He has no loyalty to any make or model of vehicle and because of that, he has ended up with a very unique vehicle.

When Chris first set eyes upon the Willys in 1997, it was sitting in a backyard, partially hidden by knee-height grass. It had a seized engine, the front axle housing was gutted, all four tires were useless, the interior was a rat home, and it sported a rollbar made of old driveshafts (including the yokes!). The important thing to Chris was that the body was in pretty good condition, especially for a vehicle built half a century earlier. For $400, it was his."

Read more at the BC4x4.com website

 
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My Build — Fixing a Power Steering Leak

• CATEGORIES: Biscuit, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

One of the minor fixes on my list of things to repair (a never ending list it seems) was to replace the seals on the input shaft of my power steering unit to stop a small fluid leak.  At $15 (from my local NAPA dealer) for replacement seals this is an inexpensive fix. So, to make the fix more interesting, I taped my efforts for your viewing amusement and edification.

 
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1960 DJ-3A South Paris, ME **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-3A • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

” Condition –  Used.  Good condition.  “Jeep C” is painted in script of the door.  Repairable approx 2″ tear in Willys roof.  Visor hem is loose. Roof is Cerulean and white stripes. Fringe, seats, roll down/up windows are in good condition.  Expected paint wear on pedals.   Hub caps are cerulean blue with “W” in the chrome.  Has spare tire with cover.  Stored in self-contained Car-Mate (PA)  It has a side door, roof window and ramp.  Car-Mate is included in the price to tow your surrey.  Important:  Gallery picture is generic.  My Willys has black side steps, not blue!

Features:  All original as far as I am aware.  Windows, braces, visor, steps and keys are in the vehicle.  Frame and serial numbers match.  Plate is on fire wall.  NOTE:  Historical records on surreys are sketchy.  According to hand written notes from factory 1959-1960 start and end numbers are 16643-19367…..”

 
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Builds: Brian’s CJ-3B resurrection cont.

• CATEGORIES: Builds This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Brian from Michigan sent me some updated pics from his efforts to bring his CJ-3B body back from the dead. Here are several body pics (some I’ve posted before).  Below the body pics you’ll see his latest unexpected issue, the engine he’s dropped into the jeep has an oil pan that hangs too low — a problem seeking a solution (note his clever use of some plastic pipe in place of a yet to procured front drive line).  Finally, he shows a picture of his unabashed stripping of a parts Blazer.

 
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1956 CJ-3B Olympia, Wa $1000 **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE:  This sold quickly …

This looks to be a great price.  This jeep should go quickly.  The tires and rim are worth probably $500 themselves.

“I have a 1956 Willys CJ3B for sale. I bought it in Europe when I was stationed there. It was owned by the Swiss Army in its previous life. I planned on restoring it but the project has ground to a halt. The F-134 engine does not run but all of the pieces are there and when it did run there were no mechanical problems. It also had the T-90 and Spicer 18. The axles are Dana 27 in the front and Dana 44 in the rear. The body is in rough but fairly solid shape. It has rusted through in a few areas but the rust was stopped when I had it sandblasted and coated with POR-15 paint. A Google search will show you this is really amazing (and expensive) stuff. It also has the ventilating windshield, a not too common option.”

 
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Mb-4 JEEP? $3500

• CATEGORIES: MB This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Anyone know what the -4 designation means on the MB?  I'm thinking $3500 is way outside the ball park unless there's something I'm missing.

"This Jeep needs total restoration. It ran when parked a few years ago. fenders are missing. Clear title. this is an Mb-4 JEEP not a CJ2a. call 509-258-4542"

http://spokane.craigslist.org/car/661754192.html 

 
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Dana 20 with Dana 18 gears rebuild

• CATEGORIES: Biscuit, Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A couple weeks ago, after finally ordering and receiving my Bronco Dana 20 rear sliding gear, I got my Dana 20 with 2:46 ratio Dana 18 gears put together.  I decided to videotape the build and despite a few setbacks (such as trying to install the wrong dana 18 intermediate gear) I got everything together.

The video is hardly a complete document on how to rebuild a transfercase properly.  Clearly, I won’t be quitting my day job to go into TV!  However, I hope it’s educational and a little amusing.


A few related links:

This is a low resolution video, but is still 49mb.  It runs approx a half hour.

 
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Flat fender roll cage Snohomish, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Roll Cage • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $100

This looks like a very nice roll cage.  You’d be hard pressed to make this cage for 3 times that price.

“6 point roll cage from willys flat fender jeep $100”