knever3

Bummer about the car, looks to be easily fixed with a new bumper and tail light though. I went up pikes peak before and it sure is nice up there. Thanks for the pics.

Keywords: Beater :shake:

Wow. The only problem I had with Fram was partially my fault. I put one on my '98 XJ and started it, watched the oil pressure heard a hissing noise and noticed fresh oil squirting all over the ground. I shut it off to find I forgot to remove the old gasket that stuck on the block. Oops, my bad. It just was strange the oil pressure never came up before the gasket failed. Fram never again. As a side note I use Ams oil filters on my car, Bosh distance on my Comanche and chrysler filters on my Hemi GC. This is what I have found to be the right filter for my application and use.

Thanks! Last night I thought I'd get crazy (with the help of my wife) and remove the whole drivetrain in preperation of the new motor. The engine bay is extremely clean, I will probably paint it anyway but the prep is cut down to just a wash and scrub. No oil residue on anything either.

Thanks!! I always like compliments. :waving:

More updates on the motor build progress. I got the majority of the accessories installed today. I still have to transfer over the renix alternator, distributor, and A/C pump. Intake manifold heat shield applied, that took some time!! Myself, final torque of Brown Dog motor mounts brackets. Gettin there. And I won't forget to mention that my wife was home today to help me with the intake and exhaust. I had some company and some admirers.

Got the oil pan on tonight after work. I cleaned the block and used a little ultra black rtv to the ends and such. I took some pictures of the business end just for kicks before I installed the new pan. The pan fit perfect I was very impressed.

Do you have a pressure tester? If so check your radiator cap and pressure test the system to make sure you have no leaks. After all as you probably know if the system isn't allowed to get up to 16psi your coolant will have a MUCH lower capacity to cool because it can boil quickly since water/antifreeze mix boils at around 225*. Check it out: Fluid - Freezing Point - Boiling Point Pure Water: 0 C / 32 F - 100 C / 212 F 50/50 mix of antifreeze/Water: -37 C / -35 F - 106 C / 223 F 70/30 mix of antifreeze/Water: -55 C / -67 F - 113 C / 235 F The temperature of the coolant can sometimes reach 250 to 275 F (121 to 135 C). Even with ethylene glycol added, these temperatures would boil the coolant, so something additional must be done to raise its boiling point. The cooling system uses pressure to further raise the boiling point of the coolant. Just as the boiling temperature of water is higher in a pressure cooker, the boiling temperature of coolant is higher if you pressurize the system. Most cars have a pressure limit of 14 to 15 pounds per square inch (psi), which raises the boiling point another 45 F (25 C) so the coolant can withstand the high temperatures.

Have you checked your axle seals and wheel cylinders for leaks? Brake fluid will EAT friction material turning it into paste. I completely disagree, bonded brake shoes are much better since you have more wear area before the rivets ruin your drums when ground down. Whatever works for you I guess. Glad to see you got it fixed up!

You can get a high flow water neck and a high flow water pump. In my last XJ I got the high flow water neck but not the pump. I installed a new radiator with a standard flow pump and after flushing the heater core and block everything was excellent. I used a stant fail proof thermostat. I used to have problems running over 220 in the summer with the A/C, after the water neck upgrade and new wp and rad everything was perfect. Right up until someone pulled out in front of me and crushed my front end weeks later. :headpop: I also changed the fan clutch multiple times since it howled draining the power. The parts store ones must be bad because I finally got a good one that releases when it's cold.

Good job, bummer about your other Jeep though. Projects come up when you least expect them.

It's a Spectra oil pan, it looks identical to the one I pulled off minus the dent in the bottom. It was made in Canada :Canadaflag: and that's second on my list of best places to manufacture anything next to the good ole :USAflag: . As for fit I will let you know next week, I have a lot of painting to do on the parts before I turn the engine upside down to reinstall the new pan.

I forgot to post this picture, most of the stuff to go back on.

I worked on the stroker motor today. I just can't seem to just install the motor without painting everything first, afterall it should never come back out for some time. I removed all the accessories and cleaned the block and head with solvant and a scotchbrite before using engine primer and ceramic engine paint. I still have ALL the accessories to clean and paint. The oil pan was dented in on the bottom so I just bought a new one instead of fixing the old one that has NO rust on it. Piece of mind I guess. I have a new aluminum valve cover coming on Tuesday so I didn't bother worrying about painting the old steel one. It has taken way more time than I would like but it's getting somewhere anyway. Clean before paint. After paint.

:agree: I can only dream how much more I would be attached to my cars if I had named them!!

If you have no power what kind of boost are you building? I'm sure the turbo is worn out by now. The older turbos are not even close to the quality as the newer ones are. My take even though I didn't read through your whole thread is if you don't have boost or enough air for that diesel it won't perform period. Maybe think about geting the turbo rebuilt or upgraded, it's not about how high of pressure you can create in the cylinder it's how much volume of air you can get. Possibly a more efficient turbo is in the cards? :dunno: I wish I could help I love a problem like House is with patients. Too bad you are so far away. :fs2:

Great progress!!

Thanks for the compliments. I really like the cats in the garage except for them jumping up on the cars when I work. It makes a job much more enjoyable when they are around playing. As for the motor aka "donk" as you are referring I stripped it down to paint it. I ordered some DEI heat tape to wrap the intake manifold with because it's so close to the exhaust. This week I will get that started. :wrench:

I finally broke down and ordered a header. It's from aFe power, 409 stainless tig welded 1/2" flanges etc. I was on the fence ordering one since I wanted to use my '99 intake and after calling them and talking to Steve who was tremendously helpfull he lined me up with the part I needed. I got it via UPS today and it fits PERFECT!!!!!!!!!! No grinding or anything. I can't say enough about this company thus far, great customer service and helpfull staff. They sent me a confirmation email after I ordered it via phone and also sent me a paper copy of my reciept before the header got to my door! It was packed with a felpro flange gasket and a donut gasket for the down pipe. Also included was new bolts for the down pipe a licence plate holder and two high quality stickers in a heavy duty plastic zip lock bag. Incredible delivery of a product. So here are some pics:

I bought mine from harbor freight for $20, 1/2" up to 250ft/lbs for the usual work, head gasket jobs, torque wheels etc. I figure for what I am going to be using it for I don't have to pay for a nice one anytime soon. The best $20 I have spent for a tool ever and I am not a fan of harbor freight for much.

:agree:

Wow! what a nice truck, can you post more pictures of your beauty for us? :clapping: :waving:

I feel your pain Don, After I had two driveshafts made I still have a vib at 55mph that drives me nuts!! Let us know what you find out, I would say flip it 180 too, but what do I know? I haven't fixed mine yet! :rotf:

Cool truck!

Order the Putco harness for $40 and the Hella e-code glass headlight housings with the Hella e bulbs. They are bright white. This is Susquehanna MotorSports's website. The H6054E is what you want. http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=744 Check out the review of my build on the last page. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=17711&hilit=first+restoration+project&start=120