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I'm gonna let the head shop check it out. If it checks out OK, I'll have to be more careful in getting the gasket and head down using the "stud method." Frustrating!

Could be, but when the block was rebuilt, it was magnafluxed, and didn't leak until I had to pull the head and put it back on. I guess we'll know once I take it to the head shop. From what I'm reading on the internet, these vintage 2.5L's didn't have dowel alignment pins.

That's basically what I did the first time, used studs the same diameter and thread, and dropped the gasket and head down on those.

Hi Guys- Long time, no talk. Working on the 87 Laredo. I had a shop rebuilt and assemble my 2.5 a couple of years back, and I had to take the head off because it was blowing smoke, turned out to be a couple bad valve stem seals. Put the head back on myself, but unlike the Chevy v8's I have had apart, there were no dowels, so I used 4 studs in the corners to line up the gasket and head, tightened up in order to specs, and put RTV on the bolt it needed to be on. Immediately, I'm leaking antifreeze, but, not wanting to take the head off, I drove it and put up with it that way, and topped off the coolant. At warm up, and after shut down is when I would see the leaking. It wasn't blowing white smoke. A mechanic friend of mine suggested that the studs in four corners wasn't a very precise way to put the head on, and thought there should be dowels. That brings us to this weekend - I pulled the head off again (don't you love re-doing things, over and over?), and it doesn't look like the block has dowels. So, just so I don't ever have to do this again, what is the best way to get this lined up right? I'm going to take the head to a shop and have them check it out, just to make sure it's not warped or cracked. It was leaking from the driver's side rear corner, I could see the trail down the bellhousing, and the bolt threads were all wet. Getting this head on, on the bench, seems very doable. Reaching up and over the fender, it's another story! Thanks! Tom

Pm'ed you..thanks...

Well, if it ever gets warm again, want to get back to work on the MJ. Here's what I want/need: Cordovan open style headrests Cordovan wrapped steering wheel Cordovan dash (good shape, already got a cracked one) MT leafs (Hells Creek, or whichever) power steering idle control sensor Single turbine rim, in good condition Thanks! Tom

I've seen the writeups on 97+ doors on the Comanche, but I did something simpler: put on a set of power doors from a 93- Cherokee (not sure what year). What wiring do I need out of a junkyard Cherokee to make this work? From what I understand, it's a three part harness, one from each door, and a center piece linking them. Is there an existing plug in my harness that will allow me to "plug n play" these new doors? It's too hot to drive the truck with the windows closed!!! ;-) Tom

No, search Datsun LWB on craigslist. Pretty resigned to renting a car for a day here and there, since I'm only here for another week. Went to Colorado Mtn Brewery yesterday for dinner. Cool lace with good beer if you're on your way to pikes peak.

My old 86 was the best Comanche I owned! I was going to head up to Littleton to look at an 86 Datsun pickup that sounded cool. Jim is awesome for offering, I just can't be 2 hours from the airport, I don't have a way back!

Whoops. Just saw your signature. Pueblo. Duh! Let me know how I can contact you, if I end up down in Pueblo, to look at the car.

Hey Jim, Thanks for the really kind offer. I would take you up on it, I just don't know how I'd get back to the airport when it was time to go. Are you near Pueblo at all? That's where the Rampage is. I've always wanted a Rampage.

You're right, he said it won't pass emissions. When I asked him if it could be driven into Denver, he said "I could drive it there for you." Sounds like it's really running badly. It's a 2.8L, so I wouldn't be a buyer in that case. Yeah, $3500 is out of my range. If that's a $3500 Comanche, mine is $5000! :thumbsup:

Thanks for the thoughts. I have a friend who lives in an apartment in Capital Hill, I just don't know how long I could park it in front of his place, with a fictitious plate, and no insurance. Wouldn't want it to get impounded. Pueblo is too far from the airport to ask Jim, but if Troy's a big buyer, maybe he's the man!

Another one: http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3696017389.html

I'm out here on business for a couple of weeks, and I was toying with the idea of buying a cheap vehicle, to use while here, rather than get crushed with car rental rates. I'm looking at a Comanche (of course), a Dodge Rampage, and a 1980 Toyota King Cab Pickup. When it's time to go, I thought maybe I'd drive the vehicle home, if it was that roadworthy, but I don't think I'm going to have enough days to get it back to NJ (1800miles). What I was wondering was if anyone with some land could help me out. I'm planning on flying back out in July for a visit, then driving it back, taking my time. Can anyone help a travelling member out, and babysit another Comanche (or other vehicle)? OR does anyone want to buy another Comanche (or a King Cab)??? Here's the Comanche I'm looking at: http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/3807739997.html. My budget is about a grand, so I think this one, since it's not running right, could be had for that. Any thoughts would be cool. Storage is a very expensive option; even the Rampage would need a 15' deep storage unit, and they're a couple hundred bucks a month. Thanks Tom

Don't wanna hijack drase but I could use these on both sides too. I have the jamb end and bolts. Need the part that goes inside the door, the rod, and pin. How do you get the roll pin back in after beating the hell out of it to get it off? Tom

Just swapped power doors on and I don't have the wiring in my 87 MJ ...I assume there's a harness in cherokees, anyone have one? Also could use the 2 door cherokee power window switch for the drivers side. Thanks Tom

If you have a smartphone, download the free Ulysses Speedometer, and it will calculate your speed based on the satellites used for GPS..

Thanks for the thoughts. It has the stock 4.10 gearing. I will try giving it a little more gas. My mechanic friend said that AMC/Chrysler probably didn't want the flywheels machined, because they would be too thin, and subject to warping. I've done some heavy pulling with the ol 4 banger, so maybe next time it's apart, I pop a new flywheel in there.

Hey Guys- Been away awhile. Got a question, a little embarrassed to ask, so I can take the jokes. I got this 87 MJ with the rebuilt 2.5, .030 over, roller rockers, header, runs really nice. All of my other vehicles are stick shifts, and the Comanche gets the least driving of them all, as I finish the never-ending projects and plan on painting it eventually. ANYWAY, it seems that the 2.5L in this heavy truck on 32's has a VERY narrow catch on the clutch. When I had the engine rebuilt, I put in an ax-5 from a 2000 XJ and a new clutch, 25K miles ago. I've had the truck for almost 10 years, so I don't remember much from when it was stock, but nowadays I'm always starving it when I take off in 1st. Not major bucking, but you know that not-so-smooth feeling of taking off, like coming off the clutch too fast. My other car, a monkey could drive, the clutch just grabs, and she goes. Have I lost my touch? Could I have done anything wrong on install? The engine builder did machine my flywheel (didn't ask him to), even though they have the stamp on them NOT to. I know some guys install inertia rings on these trucks for off-roading, but my truck is strictly on highway. Go ahead and laugh, I probably deserve it, but it's frustrating as hell! Any insight or opinions would be appreciated. Not exactly tech, not exactly pub..... :rotf: Tom

That's what I was concerned about! It is so difficult finding something that old that isn't shot, unless you get lucky and find one someone rebuilt. Maybe I should just pull it and change the seals....ugh.

I know about the spline count, I'm more concerned about the speed sensor, linkage (not included at most boneyards), the disconnect, and the yokes from a newer case being able to be "retro fitted" to my 87 setup. I had a 2001 TJ and I thought I remembered the rear shaft having a boot on it??

After replacing my noisy NP 231 with a leaky one, my next obvious question is, can I use a late model NP231 from late 90s/early 2000s XJ/TJ? My AX-5 is already out of a 2000 XJ, so I think the answer is yes.

Valve cover is bone dry. I just put in a "good" used transfer case, then the leak started. Unfortunately, it seems like I'm going to have to pull it again.

...so my concern is that if it was something simple, like the breather, it would be ATF leaking; I would guess that the input/output seals - there are two? -- would leak the Synchromesh I filled the tranny with