Project Daily Drive 1983 Wagoneer Work Log

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  • Achilles
    350 Buick
    • May 12, 2004
    • 1177

    Project Daily Drive 1983 Wagoneer Work Log

    Project Daily Drive 1983 Wagoneer Work Log
    My youngest daughter will be driving by the first week in August 2015. I drove my truck of the show room floor so I know its full history and do not mind putting my kiddo in it to drive for a while. I have been repairing and cleaning my pickup for her to use until we find something we like and is safe for her, or I find something that I cannot do without. So I have four and a half months to have the waggy mechanically sound, inspected, registered and on the road. Thank goodness the overtime is starting to come around at work.
    Life happens while you are making plans...............



    1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
    MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
    http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
    Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925
  • Achilles
    350 Buick
    • May 12, 2004
    • 1177

    #2
    March 11, 2015
    First task: get the battery tray and battery installed so that I can try to start the Jeep. It has set for long periods of time without being started. The PO idea of safe was a hacked up tray with acid eaten bungee cord. Battery was damaged from sliding around. I pulled the old hacked battery tray. Some of the metal underneath the tray had some acid damage so I wire wheeled it and put a coat of black of black rust stop paint temporarily. I had to fabricate a bracket to mount the new tray to the core support. I finished it and gave it a coat of black paint also.
    Life happens while you are making plans...............



    1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
    MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
    http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
    Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

    Comment

    • Achilles
      350 Buick
      • May 12, 2004
      • 1177

      #3
      March 12, 2015
      I got up early and went out to see if paint was dry so that I could install the Battery Tray. It was so I went to the local lumber yard here in town and picked up some screws and washers. The tray went in with no issues. I installed the battery. The hold down jay bolts were huge and were not threaded enough even after I modified them to hold the battery securely. I was not happy with it so I let it set.
      Life happens while you are making plans...............



      1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
      MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
      http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
      Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

      Comment

      • Achilles
        350 Buick
        • May 12, 2004
        • 1177

        #4
        March 14, 2015
        I went to Lowes Home Improvement and picked up some quarter inch all thread and hardware to hold down the battery. It worked like a charm after I trimmed the all thread to size. Here is where the problem began. After the batter y was buttoned up. I put a little fuel in the fuel bowl and a little down the throat and attempted to start it. It moaned hissed and sputtered to life but would die almost instantly. I checked spark and it check out ok. I checked the fuel line connected to the carb it was dry, awesome fuel pump time. I went to the parts store and purchased a fuel hose, fuel pump and a regular and pre filter. I went ahead and picked up a cap and rotor since the one on it looked like crap. I threw the cap and rotor on it. Then I got to work on the fuel pump filter and replacing the gas line from the frame hard line to the carb. I installed the fuel pump. I put the pre filter in line right off the frame rail to catch any junk out of the tank. They are cheap Insurance. I plumed everything back up as it was. Turned the key sputtered ran for a short time and stopped. I kept messing with it until it back fired. I checked the fuel line again. It was stilled dry. I traced the 5/16 line all the way back to the tank. The line from the fuel tank to the frame hard lines was completely rotten. Thank goodness I had extra fuel line. It took me forever to get the line on. I lost skin and blood doing it I use the remote start to bump the engine over and prime the line. Bingo we have fuel. Now to address the carb and the backfire. I pulled the carb and broke it down to the metering block to check it. Power valve blown and accelerator pump diaphragm was rotten. Today’s fuel is sure hard on a older vehicle, and I am also sure it did not help it to be sitting around. I went back to the parts store for a second time today. I picked up carb cleaner a power valve and a carb kit. Got back home and called it a day. My day started at 7am I had breakfast. It ended at 9:30pm. I somehow managed to not eat lunch. I sat down to eat dinner at 10:30pm. I did not have trouble sleeping tonight.

        Video
        Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.



        Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
        Life happens while you are making plans...............



        1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
        MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
        http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
        Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

        Comment

        • Achilles
          350 Buick
          • May 12, 2004
          • 1177

          #5
          March 15, 2015
          I woke up at 10 went straight out to do a mini rebuild on the carb. Finished it primed the fuel line. I turned the key and she fired right up. Did I mention I hate Holley carbs. I set the float level and did not have to mess with anything else. It was running really good. I checked the oil decided to change it. I went to the store in town and picked up 6 quarts of oil. I already had a filter on hand. I need to quit putting the filters on so tight. Slapped a filter on filled her up and she was purring like a kitten. I moved it forward about ten feet so I would not have to lie down in the dirt to work on the rear brakes. The brakes felt like they were stuck. This was the first time it had moved in about 4 or 5 years. First victory and many more battles to come.

          Video
          Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
          Life happens while you are making plans...............



          1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
          MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
          http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
          Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

          Comment

          • Achilles
            350 Buick
            • May 12, 2004
            • 1177

            #6
            March 20, 2015
            We made it back from spring break vacation. First order of business is to see if I can get the gauge cluster working again. I disconnected the big red and yellow power wire and temporarily connected them together, done with ammeter gauge. I pulled the gauge cluster and found a burnt trace.








            I put it all back together, temp and oil pressure gauge are working. None of the lights are working and gas gauge is still not working. I pulled the cluster again and cleaned up all connections and plugs with this.





            I swapped in the gas gauge from my spare cluster reinstalled it. Everything worked this time with the exception of the disabled ammeter gauge. I have a little less than ½ a tank of fuel left the majority of it is new gas I added. I am not catching any trash in the clear pre filter.
            Life happens while you are making plans...............



            1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
            MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
            http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
            Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

            Comment

            • Achilles
              350 Buick
              • May 12, 2004
              • 1177

              #7
              March 21, 2015
              I reassembled the rest of the dash from yesterday. I spent most of the day emptying trash and junk out of it. I ended with vacuuming the inside of it. It started to rain so I called it a day.
              Life happens while you are making plans...............



              1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
              MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
              http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
              Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

              Comment

              • Achilles
                350 Buick
                • May 12, 2004
                • 1177

                #8
                I worked on the electric choke most of the morning. The fast idle cam was sticking. Got that sorted out will get up and check it in am to verify it is working properly. I dropped the spare tire.










                I also removed the carrier to make room so I can have access to work in the back.










                This Wagoneer has a rear sway bar. It looks after market to me. I don’t know if it is worthwhile to keep it or not. All the bushings are in real bad shape.










                I found out how and why my brakes were not working. The above mentioned rear sway bar sits right on top of the rear rubber brake line and damaged it. The Sway bar is going to have to go if I can’t figure out a solution for this problem.






                I think it has a factory trailer hitch on it.the markings on the hitch are: Valley HU2 V5 2208-07






                I was surprised at the lack of major rust underneath. Light surface rust in spot which will be easily taken care of. Now I have all the access I need to do work out back.

                This catches me up to date.
                Last edited by Achilles; 03-24-2015, 07:43 PM.
                Life happens while you are making plans...............



                1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
                MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
                http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
                Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

                Comment

                • Achilles
                  350 Buick
                  • May 12, 2004
                  • 1177

                  #9
                  What do you guys think, Should I remove the rear sway bar or not?
                  Life happens while you are making plans...............



                  1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
                  MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
                  http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
                  Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

                  Comment

                  • Achilles
                    350 Buick
                    • May 12, 2004
                    • 1177

                    #10
                    I decided to pull the rear sway bar since it was boogering up the rubber break line until I figure out a way around it. I pulled both rear shocks first, and then the sway bar and links.



                    Here is a view with the sway bar gone. Did not put the shocks back on yet.



                    New rubber break line



                    Today's Carnage



                    1 sway bar and hardware
                    2 shocks
                    1 rubber fuel line
                    1 Axle breather tube. I have to figure out how to get the metal connector to stay in the axle and then I will replace with new hose.
                    Last edited by Achilles; 03-26-2015, 07:42 PM.
                    Life happens while you are making plans...............



                    1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
                    MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
                    http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
                    Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

                    Comment

                    • Achilles
                      350 Buick
                      • May 12, 2004
                      • 1177

                      #11
                      March 27, 2015

                      Started this morning out checking out the fast idle cam on the Holley 2300. it is functioning properly. Started on the driver side front wheel rubber break line. What a pain in the Expletive Deleted!Expletive Deleted!Expletive Deleted!. Finally got it on.



                      Pulled old shock and put the new procomp on.

                      [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y133/iqsr/Wagoneer%20build
                      /ProComp_zpsj0xvfna1.jpg[/IMG]

                      Repeated on the passenger side.

                      Put the shocks back on the rear also.



                      Had problem getting the rear breaks to bleed and ran out of time. Will address it when I am able to get back to work on it.

                      Today's carnage
                      2 rubber break lines
                      2 Shocks

                      Life happens while you are making plans...............



                      1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
                      MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
                      http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
                      Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

                      Comment

                      • Achilles
                        350 Buick
                        • May 12, 2004
                        • 1177

                        #12
                        Did a little work when I got home from my job today. I continued to try to get the breaks sorted out. Brakes 2 Me 0 I still could not get the rear brakes to bleed. I will sleep on it and try it again I the morning.
                        Life happens while you are making plans...............



                        1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
                        MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
                        http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
                        Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

                        Comment

                        • Heep-J4000
                          350 Buick
                          • Feb 09, 2014
                          • 856

                          #13
                          Bleeding those rear brakes could be a to do!
                          It could be a big help if you have somebody to help to pump the brake pedal.

                          There is also a proportioning valve that could give you the trouble when the brakeline was empty.
                          Jeep "because mother nature hates flat roads to"

                          http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=180974

                          99' Dodge ram 2500 4x4 crew cab 5.9 Cummins ,backup work truck for now
                          73' Jeep J4000 (named Heep or Desert Dragon) amc 360 V8 converted to LPG with T15/D20 (was my daily work truck for thirteen years and is getting major overhaul at the moment!)
                          80' Jeep cj5 350 V8 Chevy/sm420/D300 project
                          70/71 Jeep J4000 parts truck with Buick 350

                          Former vehicles:
                          85' Volkswagen caddy mk1 1.6 diesel.
                          83 Toyota land cruiser BJ42 3.4 diesel.

                          Comment

                          • Achilles
                            350 Buick
                            • May 12, 2004
                            • 1177

                            #14
                            Decided to pull the rear drums and have a look. The wheel cylinder were in bad shape and leaking and the shoes were worn. Y=The drums actually looked pretty good.



                            This was my first drum break repair. It took me a while but it went well.





                            I multitasked. I also cleaned up the drums and painted them.





                            Today's Carnage



                            And a Special Thanks to Heep-J4000, I took your advice and had my youngest daughter help me. It was a success they bleed the first time using this method. Me 0 vs mighty vac 1 , me 0 vs Harbor Freight pneumatic bleeder kit 1. I did fashion a tool to hold the pin open on the Combi / proportioning.



                            Vitamin water and rubber hose to the rescue. That is not the color of the vitamin water, that is the nasty old break fluid.
                            Life happens while you are making plans...............



                            1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
                            MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
                            http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
                            Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

                            Comment

                            • Achilles
                              350 Buick
                              • May 12, 2004
                              • 1177

                              #15
                              Made it in from work. Had a box on the door step. It was my gas cap for the Wagoneer. I went out and put it on. It Looks nice and fits well.
                              Life happens while you are making plans...............



                              1983 Wagoneer Limeted, 169k 360 AMC, NP 229, 727,
                              MODS: 2003 Durango bucket seats:
                              http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=159286
                              Build Thread: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=174925

                              Comment

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