1991 Grand Wagoneer Build Thread *pic rich thread*

[jwalton23]

Okay so here is my build thread. I have a 91 waggy and I have lifted it, added bigger tires, redone 80% of the interior has been repaired or replaced. I started to hear some knocking from the motor that sounded like it was coming from the bottom end. So I figured it was time for a rebuild.

here is the truck


here is the pic right after hood removal.


this is the empty engine bay. which I will be cleaning and painting.


Here is the bare block...well the crank is still in until i get the timing cover off. (no pulley remover to get harmonic balancer off.


Will have a lot more pics coming soon.

My plans are as follows.
Bored 30 over
clean and paint
intake and 4v carb
maybe a cam

Just a little refresher and some upgrades.

[p@55w0rd]

Thanks for sharing. Where did you get the mirrors?

[jwalton23]

The mirrors are the factory ones.

[jwalton23]

So i could get it all in one place i decided to post a link to my lift kit installation.
http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showt...nstalling+lift

and a link for the paint shop thread.
http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showt...ighlight=paint

will have more engine removal pics soon. and then it will be prep and install!

just wanted to throw this in here too.. http://youtu.be/AbPFh9cteiE

[Ristow]

where's the torque converter?


maybe a cam? surely you aren't gonna reuse the stock cam on a rebuild.

[jwalton23]

I should have said maybe an aftermarket cam... it will be new either way. and the torque converter is there it was bolted to the fly wheel. it looks to be new and in good shape.

[Hud]

Very nice! Love the way it all came together. Like the fact you left off the roof rack, did you weld the holes or bondo them?

[jwalton23]

Originally Posted by Hud

Very nice! Love the way it all came together. Like the fact you left off the roof rack, did you weld the holes or bondo them?

I did the jb weld with pennies and threw some finishing putty over it. it turned out better than i thought it would. i did weld the screw holes up.

[jeepjerry]

Very cool looking wagoneer!

You should at least go with a mild rv/torque cam. You would be suprised how much it would wake up across the board.

[Bjtgtr]

Your Wagoneer has turned out looking great! I looked at your paint thread and really loved the transformation of the rig. Overall great job

[CutterN55]

Fender cuts look real good. How did you finish the edges? Is it painted or is there some sort of trim along the edge? (maybe it's just me...)

[jwalton23]

thank you for all the compliments! On the fenders I used a sawzall and a grinder with a flapper wheel on it. Then on the front I used door edge guard until I get the money for the bushwhacker flares. I used expanding spray foam on the rear to fill the gap. I got the marine kind so it's water proof. I just hope I didn't cut away too much fender so the flares may not work. But heres hoping. I ordered my pre-runner front bumper from bj's last week and I also got the one inch lift shackles to compensate for the added weight of the bumper and winch. It will be awhile before I get the rear bumper because the wifey is cutting off funds to the jeep after I finish my motor...lol. Atleast til after summer.

[jwalton23]

Just some more pics of engine removal.

[grand_wag_85]

Originally Posted by jwalton23

That's cheating! I've never had much luck pulling motors with the converter still attached, looks like you've got the magic touch!

[jwalton23]

Originally Posted by grand_wag_85

That's cheating! I've never had much luck pulling motors with the converter still attached, looks like you've got the magic touch!

ha getting it out is the easy part. Lining it back up when it's going back in is going to be the challenging part. I really just got lucky. Once I chained it and lifted it to clear the motor mount bolts it fell right out.

[addicted]

Horrible way to separate an engine and trans. Hopefully you didn't destroy anything but the converter seal pulling it like that with the power of a hydraulic crane. You need to put the converter back in by hand to make sure it is seated properly or you will destroy the front pump.

[jwalton23]

I only did the lifting with the crane. And only enough to clear the motor mount bolts. Pulling forward was done by hand and it slid off the spline quite easy. No forcing was required. That is the first automatic I separated. I didn't know it was different. I will put the converter on by hand. Should I replace the seal that you say could be damaged or will I need a new converter? Also is there any special technique when filling the converter back up with fluid or just dump it in there?

[addicted]

You most likely only damaged the seal. Pour a quart or so in the converter stick it in and spin it with one hand and push with the other you should feel it move in a couple times as things line up as the converter goes in. When you put the engine in it should bolt up to the trans with little effort and the torque converter should spin freely and need pulled to the flex plate before the converter bolts will start to thread in. If not pull the engine out enough and turn and push the converter until it goes back in the trans all the way.

[FSJ Guy]

Replace the converter seal "just because". It's a $10 part that requires transmission or engine removal, so it's good insurance.

Remember that the torque converter and flexplate are KEYED and only connect ONE WAY. And you CAN NOT rotate the converter once the engine and transmission are mated. Matchmark them so you don't have to pull the engine out twice.

If the age of the converter is unknown, it's cheap enough to replace.

Fill the converter with as much transmission fluid as you can before installing it.

EDIT: Typos. They bothered me.

[77_chief]

Great looking rig Love the color scheme and really digging the Rino grill. Was it hard sourcing the parts it? I would love to go that route on mine.