my new Uglyjeep build-up

[duncanstives]

Lol... Your heater core is bypassed just like mine.
I have the new core sitting in my house... No time to install... Mostly because every time i have time I keep goign wheeling instead.

[uglyjeep]

Originally Posted by classdestroyer

Hey, What where the symptoms that told you to change the ignition?

Reason I ask, I am picking up one of two j-300's that I have recently acquired, one of them was running until something happen electrically causing it to not start.. I realize it could be one of many things, but the ignition feels like a good place to start..

Wishful thinking this is all the one requires to drive!!!

The truck would start (or try) and then die when I moved the key a little. The switch was relatively inexpensive (an air filter and the switch cost around $20), so it may be worth it to try.

[uglyjeep]

I was just rereading my thread and I noticed that the engine I am currently planning on using is not even mentioned (except in my sig). The 360 shown in the pics was overheated and the parted out.

I am now going to be using an extremely low mile goodwrench '88 j-code 6.2. I pulled it from an '82 flatbed dually c30.


I already bought the novak engine mounts, and it looks like im going to get an AA adapter (my uncle is going to get it at dealer price for me) to mate my t-18 to the chevy bell. Maybe at the end of this month, when I'm off work, I can get the engine and trans in.

[uglyjeep]

My adapter came this morning, but it isn't going to be plug and play. Partially my fault part Advanced's.

Originally Posted by Advanced Adapters website

With our adapter plates, we utilize a new front bearing retainer to obtain proper bell housing alignment. Chevy adapter plates we use a small index of 4.686”, (the larger index retainer, P/N 716051, can be substituted for the 5.125” bell housing) at no charge. The retainer must be exchanged at time of order to receive as no charge!!!

716051 doesn't fit .

The adapter itself is indexed for the smaller retainer (the one on the top of the adapter), and the larger one (on the box) will not fit the adapter.

The other issue results from me assuming that since jeep used a t-15 bell on the t-18 that the pattern would be the same. Almost, but not quite.

Here's the stock jeep adapter-


And here is the AA adapter sitting on top-


The bosses for the holes I need are there but no holes. I'm going to play with the jeep adapter tonight and see if I can (or want to) drill it. As for the bearing retainer, I'll take it in and see if I can get someone to cut an index for the adapter cheap or I'll go to the junkyard and pull an earlier chevy bell.

[uglyjeep]

Well I solved one issue. I drilled the bosses in the jeep adapter. I just have to go pick up some allen head bolts.

[Rompn]

Where are you in the high desert?

[uglyjeep]

Well I was feeling pretty good up until a few minutes ago. I took the adapter (and it's parts) along with a truckload of core VW parts into a VW shop to see what they could do for me. The said they'd machine the parts and give me $35. It turns out their machinist is an idiot. He cut down the retainer to match the smaller one, and I didn't realise that until I drove the 20 miles home. I called and since the owner isn't there right now, they can't do s**t to fix the situation.

Originally Posted by Rompn

Where are you in the high desert?

I'm in Lake LA (east of Lancaster, west of Adelanto)

[uglyjeep]

Today I went in to the vw shop and talked to the owner. Of course he tried to blame me, but after a while he offered me $40. I took it and hope to never see them again (the part they screwed up is $50 from advanced).

I was able to bolt the adapter to the trans this morning. I also just now finished bolting on a 60's cast iron bellhousing that I bought today for $25.


I may need to find a high torque starter (to clear the older bellhousing) and an older clutch fork (cast rather than stamped), but this should get me on my way.

[Rompn]

Originally Posted by uglyjeep

I'm in Lake LA (east of Lancaster, west of Adelanto)

Good deal. Your probably two hours or so from me.

[jMedia]

6.2? Sweet! Subscribed

[uglyjeep]

The engine is in!!!!

Well sort of... I have it mocked up and the mounts are tacked in.


Tomorow, after I get home from an 8hr meeting/training, I'll pull the engine and weld the mounts fully. I bought a new clutch disc today (ebay), and a "sizing ring" from novak yesterday. Once I get the ring and clutch I can bolt the original bellhousing back on (I don't want to pay 300+ for a starter that will fit the early bell) and then the engine can go in and stay in.

[jMedia]

How'd you decide where to mount the 6.2 mounts?

[cmelo]

Very cool, I've got quadratrac axles and I'm about to put in a dana 18 as well to match the offset.

What do you think about the 6.2? I wanted to pick up an old k30 dually for the axles and drivetrain but opted out when I found out they were dogs. The deal wouldn't be worth it unless I was going to use everything.

Subscribed

[uglyjeep]

Originally Posted by jMedia

How'd you decide where to mount the 6.2 mounts?

I just put the engine in and moved it around (the best I could) until I had what appeared to be the best clearance. If you look very closely you may notice that the driver's side is about 1" higher that the passenger side. I think that is because when I drilled the stock t-18 adapter one (or both) of the holes were slightly off center - which caused the AA adapter to be rotated, which caused the bell to be rotated. It doesn't present any issues, so rather than "fixing" it I'm just going to go with it (it's barely noticeable anyhow).

Originally Posted by cmelo

What do you think about the 6.2? I wanted to pick up an old k30 dually for the axles and drivetrain but opted out when I found out they were dogs.

I drove the truck my engine came from and I wouldn't call it a dog ('82 dually flatbed c-30 w/ sm465 trans and 4.11 in the rear end). It wasn't a race truck, but I didn't find it sluggish or unresponsive. I'd say it was similar in acceleration to my friend's '73 k-5 with a no-frills 350, th350, and 3.?? gears. His truck does have a much higher top speed (we've gotten his truck over 120 , that was quite uncomfortable) .

[uglyjeep]

Well it took longer to get around to working on the truck again, but this weekend I got stuff done. My GF's parents are out and her dad decided that he wanted to help. I rerouted the fuel lines on friday. Yesterday we welded the engine mounts and shock towers. We just finished the final mounting of the engine . It looks good. I'll take some pics tomorrow - I'm pooped.

[TooRisky]

man... she is going through those changes...BTW bonus find on the wrench....

[uglyjeep]

Well I lied about getting pics today… I was too busy fabricating clutch linkage. I now have a working clutch pedal!

I used the chevy bellcrank with a shortened jeep rod and a 5” tall bracket to the frame.

Maybe I’ll get some pics up tomorrow…

TooRisky - You just stick around and see what she looks like with the rest of the body on, the "new" suspension, and sporting her new shoes

[uglyjeep]

Well after getting re-motivated I figured its time to post a quick update.

I've still got a ton of work to do but it actually looks like a truck (most of one at least). If I would get off my behind and put some radiator hoses and a few wires on I could run the engine. And then I could bolt the rear driveshaft in and take it's first test drive.

Here is how it sits now.






More engine
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...l/DSCN3528.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...l/DSCN3527.jpg

gauge panel (with diesel tach)


Astro seat

[Smithers]

This may be a dumb question to ask, but I'm a little curious: why didn't you keep the SM-465 that was with the 6.2 from the C-30? You wouldn't have had to modify any spendy new bellhousing adapter or parts and you'd have kept the slightly lower granny gear ratio. May have also avoided unsatisfactory product from the so-called machinist's shop. Granted what you probably spent on the bellhousing is what you would have spent on the tranny to t-case adapter. Just seems like you could have avoided alot of work and headaches. To each their own I suppose.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

What year astro is that seat out of?