Post by dirtmonkey on Jan 6, 2015 15:22:49 GMT -5
Before I begin, a little background: I bought my 1948 CJ2a in August of 2007 and this is how it came home:
As you can see, it was rough (Im sure not as rough as some of yours) Take a look at the hood... not straight... guess why. Bubba thought it would be a grand idea to put a 2x4 under the radiator to install an external fan. Genius, right!?!? It had no brakes, the seats were not mounted (except for the hunting one, that was welded in) the grill welded to the fenders as the mounts for the grill were gone. So, its been a lot of removing bubba to try and bring back to stock. Now this isnt a frame off restoration, this is spit shine and lets drive this thing! So, after several years of TLC, this is where it's at:
Its rough, needs TLC and yes, I went with the whole army theme. I originally painted it the OD green (as it was offered during the time frame, mainly for over seas). I began taking it to shows and people would exclaim "Look at that old Army Jeep!" So, I ran with it... only us crazy people really know. I do want to keep it as stock as possible (minus the gas can and spare tire location). Everything else is standard CJ2a. The Jeep has brought home 4 trophies now, so I must be doing something right.
I have been wanting to rebuild the engine in it for sometime now to get rid of more bubba and get it all pretty, but have not wanted to be without the ability to drive it. The engine in it now does pretty well except Ive been fighting an over heating issue for sometime (thus why bubba put the fan on). So, I decided I was going to one day find a donor engine I could build in my leisure / cash flow AND still be able to drive it! I know, genius!
A while back I was scouring Craigslist and found a '46 CJ that fit the bill, however, I couldnt afford it at the time
. But, I knew that my buddy Chris (Carsandguns as some of you know him) was looking for a parts vehicle for his build, so I shot it over to him. Well, sure enough, he went and grabbed it up! And if you look REALLY closely... you can see my donor engine in the tub... with the distributor sticking out!
I did manage to grab the farm implementation bar from that rig (as bubba cut mine off and then welded it to make some crappy bumper) and eventually convinced him I needed the motor. So, he sold it to me dirt cheap (Thanks Chris!!!!) and I picked it up the weekend after Christmas (2014). Brought it home and got it up on the hoist and removed the flywheel/clutch and mounted to my new engine stand I got for Christmas.
My first priority was to actually find info on this particular engine. So, grabbed a brush and scrapped the water pump boss off to reveal this:
Now I was scratching my head, because I know that early CJ's started with CJ-2A, later CJ's started with just J, and Utility vehicles started with U... what the heck is the 3J??? Well, after some research and a shout out on the CJ2a forum (no haters
) I was given info on this engine: Its a CJ3a block that was cast late in September 1950. This engine was most likely originally in one of the earliest 1951 model year CJ-3As, like in the serial number range of 451-GB1 10001 to about 451-GB1 12000 or so." I was a bit bummed by this info as I was hoping to have a early CJ motor. But... for the price I got this block for, whats the big deal. Not going for matching numbers here and mine currently has a Utility engine in it any how.
Now lets begin this build, or should I say tear down!
My first order of business was actually research. I want to be ready for what comes and have some insight. So web searches and downloads began. The first thing I did was download the Service Manual for Universal Jeep Vehicles:
Service Manual for Universal Jeep Vehicles
Secondly, I found another site that someone has a good write-up for L head Gear driven engine and read up:
Willys L-Head Rebuild
And thirdly, lets not forget our own Haines Garage fantastic write-up! (I like to have several views and input!)
Rebuilding a L134 Chain Driven Engine
Armed with this knowledge, I began the tear down. Luckily Chris had already done some of the work for me, such as removing the head and a few of the studs. Also the Exhaust and Intake were off as well with only one broken stud. I broke out my Service manual and actually followed their write-up on tear down of the L-Head engine, removing easy stuff such as water pump, distributor, oil pump, and chain/gear cover. Thats when I found out that the 3a engine was a gear driven engine (I wasnt sure when it changed).
Pretty cool! So I then removed the oil pan and found a little present Chris left for me. Also, I believe this is the reason this engine wasnt working anymore. No one ever replaced the mouse when it fell off its wheel!
After that, began removing the bearing caps and the nuts off the pistons. Everything came off and apart with no issues! Surprisingly this engine has come apart pretty easy. And I wont lie, I have learned SO MUCH just tearing things down and going... oh, that what that does, or that make sense! For example, who knew thats how the valve springs were held on!!! (you'll get that if you've had to replace them or rebuilt your engine!) I dont have the cool valve spring tool (yet) so I improvised and used a C-Clamp to lift them. It was a bit interesting, but worked! (back off, I didnt want to purchase the tool yet... I did just manage to convince the wife to let me buy the engine!) Managed to get them all off and out and all the tappets (but one) were free and clear. One was so rusted in there, it took a day and a half of spraying and banging to get it to finally move. Thank goodness for BFH's! Then managed to get all the head studs out without breaking a single one. Wasnt so lucky with the manifold studs... broke 2 + the one Chris broke! So, I was left with this... 3 broken studs and a stuck tappet:
Here is the head, valves, pistons and studs removed (also managed to get the dang tappet unstuck):
It looks pretty clean and Ive been inspecting the best I can with a super bright light and so far, havent found any cracks (finger's crossed). I am currently at the point where I need to pull the cam gear, but unfortunately, dont have the proper tool for that. So, need to go rent it here shortly and will then get that off and remove the cam and then just a few of the oil gallery plugs that I havent touched yet. Then, it will be time for the machine shop. After thinking about it... I may and try to go after those broken studs myself since time isnt a factor and Ill just lace them with PB!
Updates to come! (now some of this may take a while, as I have no time frame on rebuild... just to do it myself and get my hands dirty and learn a LOT!) I have done one other engine rebuild in my life... that was for my 1971 Chevy Nova, but that was back in highschool and had a master mechanic helping me! (And no, it wasnt auto shop) So, will be relying on my documents and my trusted Jeeples!
As you can see, it was rough (Im sure not as rough as some of yours) Take a look at the hood... not straight... guess why. Bubba thought it would be a grand idea to put a 2x4 under the radiator to install an external fan. Genius, right!?!? It had no brakes, the seats were not mounted (except for the hunting one, that was welded in) the grill welded to the fenders as the mounts for the grill were gone. So, its been a lot of removing bubba to try and bring back to stock. Now this isnt a frame off restoration, this is spit shine and lets drive this thing! So, after several years of TLC, this is where it's at:
Its rough, needs TLC and yes, I went with the whole army theme. I originally painted it the OD green (as it was offered during the time frame, mainly for over seas). I began taking it to shows and people would exclaim "Look at that old Army Jeep!" So, I ran with it... only us crazy people really know. I do want to keep it as stock as possible (minus the gas can and spare tire location). Everything else is standard CJ2a. The Jeep has brought home 4 trophies now, so I must be doing something right.
I have been wanting to rebuild the engine in it for sometime now to get rid of more bubba and get it all pretty, but have not wanted to be without the ability to drive it. The engine in it now does pretty well except Ive been fighting an over heating issue for sometime (thus why bubba put the fan on). So, I decided I was going to one day find a donor engine I could build in my leisure / cash flow AND still be able to drive it! I know, genius!
A while back I was scouring Craigslist and found a '46 CJ that fit the bill, however, I couldnt afford it at the time
. But, I knew that my buddy Chris (Carsandguns as some of you know him) was looking for a parts vehicle for his build, so I shot it over to him. Well, sure enough, he went and grabbed it up! And if you look REALLY closely... you can see my donor engine in the tub... with the distributor sticking out!I did manage to grab the farm implementation bar from that rig (as bubba cut mine off and then welded it to make some crappy bumper) and eventually convinced him I needed the motor. So, he sold it to me dirt cheap (Thanks Chris!!!!) and I picked it up the weekend after Christmas (2014). Brought it home and got it up on the hoist and removed the flywheel/clutch and mounted to my new engine stand I got for Christmas.
My first priority was to actually find info on this particular engine. So, grabbed a brush and scrapped the water pump boss off to reveal this:
Now I was scratching my head, because I know that early CJ's started with CJ-2A, later CJ's started with just J, and Utility vehicles started with U... what the heck is the 3J??? Well, after some research and a shout out on the CJ2a forum (no haters
) I was given info on this engine: Its a CJ3a block that was cast late in September 1950. This engine was most likely originally in one of the earliest 1951 model year CJ-3As, like in the serial number range of 451-GB1 10001 to about 451-GB1 12000 or so." I was a bit bummed by this info as I was hoping to have a early CJ motor. But... for the price I got this block for, whats the big deal. Not going for matching numbers here and mine currently has a Utility engine in it any how.Now lets begin this build, or should I say tear down!
My first order of business was actually research. I want to be ready for what comes and have some insight. So web searches and downloads began. The first thing I did was download the Service Manual for Universal Jeep Vehicles:
Service Manual for Universal Jeep Vehicles
Secondly, I found another site that someone has a good write-up for L head Gear driven engine and read up:
Willys L-Head Rebuild
And thirdly, lets not forget our own Haines Garage fantastic write-up! (I like to have several views and input!)
Rebuilding a L134 Chain Driven Engine
Armed with this knowledge, I began the tear down. Luckily Chris had already done some of the work for me, such as removing the head and a few of the studs. Also the Exhaust and Intake were off as well with only one broken stud. I broke out my Service manual and actually followed their write-up on tear down of the L-Head engine, removing easy stuff such as water pump, distributor, oil pump, and chain/gear cover. Thats when I found out that the 3a engine was a gear driven engine (I wasnt sure when it changed).
Pretty cool! So I then removed the oil pan and found a little present Chris left for me. Also, I believe this is the reason this engine wasnt working anymore. No one ever replaced the mouse when it fell off its wheel!
After that, began removing the bearing caps and the nuts off the pistons. Everything came off and apart with no issues! Surprisingly this engine has come apart pretty easy. And I wont lie, I have learned SO MUCH just tearing things down and going... oh, that what that does, or that make sense! For example, who knew thats how the valve springs were held on!!! (you'll get that if you've had to replace them or rebuilt your engine!) I dont have the cool valve spring tool (yet) so I improvised and used a C-Clamp to lift them. It was a bit interesting, but worked! (back off, I didnt want to purchase the tool yet... I did just manage to convince the wife to let me buy the engine!) Managed to get them all off and out and all the tappets (but one) were free and clear. One was so rusted in there, it took a day and a half of spraying and banging to get it to finally move. Thank goodness for BFH's! Then managed to get all the head studs out without breaking a single one. Wasnt so lucky with the manifold studs... broke 2 + the one Chris broke! So, I was left with this... 3 broken studs and a stuck tappet:
Here is the head, valves, pistons and studs removed (also managed to get the dang tappet unstuck):
It looks pretty clean and Ive been inspecting the best I can with a super bright light and so far, havent found any cracks (finger's crossed). I am currently at the point where I need to pull the cam gear, but unfortunately, dont have the proper tool for that. So, need to go rent it here shortly and will then get that off and remove the cam and then just a few of the oil gallery plugs that I havent touched yet. Then, it will be time for the machine shop. After thinking about it... I may and try to go after those broken studs myself since time isnt a factor and Ill just lace them with PB!
Updates to come! (now some of this may take a while, as I have no time frame on rebuild... just to do it myself and get my hands dirty and learn a LOT!) I have done one other engine rebuild in my life... that was for my 1971 Chevy Nova, but that was back in highschool and had a master mechanic helping me! (And no, it wasnt auto shop
) So, will be relying on my documents and my trusted Jeeples!
