53 CJ3B It ran when parked

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This 3B was an airport crash vehicle. When it was surplused the chemical tanks and hose reels were removed. The body is in fairly good shape for its age. The add stated it ran when parked. Supposedly it would start and run if you pulled it, just not run very well.

I had to drive right by Oilleakers abode, he graciously offered to ride along. Actually he drove most of the way. (It was a good thing he went I knew how to get there, and he knew how to get back)

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Absolutely Beautiful!. I will assume you now own it correct!. I have a 53 as well, to be scrapped , so if you need one of the 5 good parts off of it, let me know...............and make sure you vote 3B on the flatfender poll . Also that is a WILL-IS CJ3B, Just say'in .

Lee

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I think Willys is stamped on the side hood. WILLYS is also stamped on the tailgate if I'm not mistaken! That IS thing has gotta be east river. Y'all have good day

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More pictures the engine ran when parked. Did a compression check #1 had 70psi it was the best #4 was 10psi #3 -0 #2 had 25psi. This was a used engine purchased from a salvage yard in California. The original engine was blown up chasing deer off the runway at LaCross Wi airport. That is what the WillYs was used for that and maintenance at the airport. When they found the replacement engine was junk it was parked in the corner of a hanger, for at least 20yrs. This is the story from the maintenance shop Forman.

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So I have spent years working in the LaCross area, why could I not have found this Jewel

Lee

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Hey! Mighty fine looking 3B willees you have there fatbender!! Did that come with a soft top Keith? Looks like the bow's for a soft top in the pictures! You have some work before fathers day I see!!
chuck

[Haines Garage]

Looks like a find Keith, and I am looking forward to seeing your Progress!

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.Rust repair it is a never ending battle. This was the only rust in my 53 3b. I feel a little guilty posting this after seeing some of the great work the guys in Haines garage does. I was truly lucky to find a body as good as this. The paint is another story it was not so good.

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I think Fat is holding back a little on this 3B. It was so intact, it still had original green paint inside the toolbox, and underneath. No , repeat, no rust in the hat channels. Also, It took a west river Willleeessse guy to find it for him and send it to him and I got a "thanks" from his wife. She will change her tune some when he rides the Rockies in it. The fun is beginning. He has until June to get it done and running. Should be no problem if he desires it. Keith can twist wrenchs with the rest of us, so it will be done. What I should have done is buy it myself and then drive the trailer around Harris Mn. until Lee saw it. . You just have to share with friends you know! Oil

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Well get crackin on that, 9 1/2 monthes to first gear in the Black Hills

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I've had a little time so I took the bottom end of the squirrel cage apart. The pistons are standard bore 3 pistons had broken rings. Rod bearings are .030 oversized. The crank will have to be turned again. #3 & #4 rods had been put in in the wrong bore. Think Bubba has been there. I'm seriously thinking about repowering. I have a couple GM power plants in the toy box. Don't think the T90 gearbox is a good choice for a V8. So many decisions. To modify or not to modify. Maybe a big block, 700R4 stretch the wheel base? Make a real WILLIS out of it.  John really understated the wife's enthusiasm about having another project vehicle!!

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Modify or not............big question!, I guess it boils down to how much power you need. Last week in Colorado proved to me a stock 4 cyl. Jeep will hold it's own off road and could embarrass a V8 rig in many ways. The V8 is not simple as the rest of the rig needs to be modified as well. I am considering repowering a 3B with a V3300 Kubota turbo diesel, 202 cubic inch 84 hp. With this engine I should have HP that the driveline will handle and an engine that is not a hole lot heavier than the F head. I also have the engine in my parts 3B if you need one, not sure if it runs but I will check that out!.


Lee

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Thank you for the offer, big block would be a lot of work. Will take the block to machine shop Monday. If it's within reason I'll have it redone. I have been dragging my feet on the engine, really been thinking about the Kubota, you'll really like that. 84 horse is more than factory f head probably way more torque also.

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All the years I spent in the Calgary for wheel drive club, the were lot's SBC conversions. They all seemed to work well, but if you're crazy, you can bust up anything. I built up a 55 cj5 with a 350ci. and a 450turbo, posi. rear dif. The only thing I did to the T18 was to put the tapered bearing kit on the idler shaft. It get's rid of most of the square gear whine and also the wear on the idler shaft. Yeah, if you push too hard, it can be hard on axles and spider gears allright!! And the other thing was at that time we didn't give a ratz azz about how much gas we used!! lol
chuck

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My opinion is your Jeep is way too pure to modify. I actually like them stock better than modified. You will also ruin it's value, because Bubba Jeeps bring way less on resale. I won't look at them except for parts. That said, I have a free extra crank if you want it. Only will cost Hot Buttered Rum. Crap i too have a full extra F head. Do Not Do It! You have to go to the back of the line with a V8. No exceptions. That's my final answer! Oilly

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You know that I'm on your side Oilly, you saw what I did to mine!!

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All you need Chuckie is stock rims and razor blade tires!

[Haines Garage]

Oct 4, 2014 19:01:02 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

All you need Chuckie is stock rims and razor blade tires!

Now that is some funny stuff there!

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Guess what SIR JOHN I have the originals in my shop!!!! YES!!

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I learned a lesson one day about razor blade Jeep tires. Back in High school (way back) I was out Jeeping in the snow. A guy in a brand new Toyota Land cruiser was attempting to climb up a snow covered hillside. He had to have all the poop that off roaders put on a rig to "make it their own". He had wide expensive tires and aluminum rims. He couldn't get up the hill after tearing the crap out of everything. I was sitting there watching him. When he gave up, I simply drove up the hill and left him there. I had sawdust re-tread tires on that I bought with my 1.75 per hour hard earned wages. The lighter the vehicle, the narrower you need for tires to put the weight of the vehicle to the ground. Tall skinny tires work better than wide tires until you get into sand. Mud is also like snow, unless there is no bottom to it. Either way, wide tires on a light vehicle are a waste of money. Don't get rid of those tires and rims Chuck! Just give them to me and I'll get rid of them for you--------LOL. Oil

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I had a little 2A one time that we called peanuts because a squirrel had stuffed the carb full of peanuts. I guess that it had been sitting outside without an aircleaner. I had put a set of 8" wide kellsy hayes on with a set of retreads that had a tractor tire tread pattern. The club we belonged to ran all models of 4 wheelers. We went on a run one spring Sunday when it was fairly warm, the snow was about half way up the wheels, wet and heavy. The Bronco's and Blazers ahead of me were making those horrible wide tread track's, and were always stuck!! I was probably 6th or 7th in line, and got tired of sitting there, so I started the peanut up and pulled out of the line. Climed up on top of the snow and drove to the front of the line to see what the problem was. You should have heard the language coming out of those Bronco drivers mouths!! Yes, we had some fun in those days too!!
chuck

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Oct 4, 2014 19:01:02 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

All you need Chuckie is stock rims and razor blade tires!

Round here they call them "Pizza Cutters"

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The paint on the 3b was not good but me being the el cheapo I am I was gonna leave it, and all the drill holes Bubba and his cohorts had added. The top was a good example (I was going to use it also but my co driver drove too fast and it came off) it was bolted across the top of the windshield frame,6 bolts to each side of center. The turn lights were bolted to the top corners of the windshield frame. The paint washed off of the firewall when I was cleaning after pulling the engine.  So I had the paint removed by hydroblasting. That made a muddy mess, but that's another story.

[Haines Garage]

Keith
Cool photos.
I like your new Avitar !
Did you change your user name as well?

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B-|Yes I did my lovely wife said Grumpy fit me better. Not sure what she meant by that. Had too much time and great service this morning, so I've been playing. Still can't get most of my pictures to up load. it say's they are too big, I will work on that as I have time. Took the engine to the machinist Monday, waiting to hear back.

After reading the last few posts I'm thinking the new tires & wheels I bought may not be so good. 12.5x36x22. I was just thinking 5.38 gear ratio with 36'' tires would give a good hiway ratio. The wheels are really bitchin 22s chrome hi polished spokes. Can't get the pics to upload.