scguy

I just got an order confirmation, thanks for the heads up.

Put an order in quick, we'll see.

That looks amazing. I really hope this can come into production.

Looking good. Gotta love Milwaukee M12s. I use mine all day every day.

Went on another little shopping spree. Ready to do 2ga battery cables, picked up Autopal E code H4 conversion lights, and Hella 100/80w bulbs. I'll likely make my own headlight harness. I really want to add a second relay box under the hood to tidy up all the accessory wiring that will go in shortly. I'll need to add at least 5 relays: high and low beam headlights, fog lights, low and high speed fans, let alone any more auxiliary lighting if I find a roll bar.

Just got word that my rear driveshaft is ready. Had the stock driveshaft shortened, new U joints and balanced for $148. Doesn't seem bad at all.

If it was a 6.2 LS swap, sure. Since it's the turd of a diesel, nope.

Yeah, I just picked up a used yoke on eBay. $17 vs drilling out that bolt was a no brainer.

Being the cheapskate I am and having blatant disregard for my labor time, I decided to try the old flexplate with proper spacing. Result: same problem. So back apart it came. Managed to pull the trans, remove and install the new flexplate and back together in 45 minutes. Of course, it helps to have no driveshafts in or trans cooler lines hooked up. Result: fixed. Should have done it the first time, but I took a shot at saving $100. Measured the old flexplate then and found discrepancies of at least .060" out of round. So this one is solved. Finally.

So under further inspection, I've found the flexplate has about .015" of play around the crank. The new one does as well. They are the correct flexplate for the application. Unless someone tells me why I shouldn't, I've used feeler gauges to space it evenly and torque it down. I imagine it was off center before, causing the starter gear clearance to change.

Ordered tires today. Couldn't decide between 32s and 33s, but ended up ordering 32x11.50R15s. I just really don't want to rub, and cutting is not an option. They'll be a little more manageable with the 3.55s for now also.

I got pulled over once in my Sable for tint. The cop supposedly saw my windshield strip was 1/4" below the AS1 line from across the 4 lane divided highway and wanted to search my car. Waldo, FL is the reason. The PD was so wild with traffic stops that the whole department was actually disbanded. Half of the city's revenue came from tickets. They actually passed a bill in the Senate and AAA put up speed trap warning billboards, this town was so bad and https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.news4jax.com/news/2014/10/01/city-council-disbands-waldo-police-department/%3foutputType=amp

Test fitting the new wheels. See that nasty header panel trim? I had some chrome pieces lying around that needed somewhere to live. I did rear brake shoes, wheel cylinders and hardware so that I can have a parking brake again. Unfortunately, I had to pull the trans to get to the bottom of this scraping sound while cranking. Ordered a new flexplate but it hasn't come in yet.

Here's the flexplate in question. Don't see any cracks, but I'm sure I saw a difference like it was off center when turning it over. Was going to install a new one today, but the parts store lost it, so... I don't have the original starter bolts, but I have ones of the proper length, thread and grade installed.

Yes they mated easily and didn't have to draw them together with the bolts. I bolted them together out of the truck and put the engine/trans/transfer case in as one unit.

Yes

I pulled the transmission, don't see anything rubbing, so I'll be installing a new flexplate.

The metal plate between engine and trans? Yes

Good news: She's alive! First start ever with HO setup. Settled right into an idle. Bad news: low fuel pressure and probably going to have to replace the flexplate.

The flexplate was fine when I installed it, I tourqued it to spec. I reckon I can pull it apart and see. Edit: fine as in not cracked.

Yes, it seems like there's a small variation when turning, but probably no more than 1/16 inch.

So I've got the engine mostly together on my 89 Comanche. Engine setup is 92 HO short block, the 93 HO head (7120), AW4, flexplate, and the starter are all from the same 93 XJ donor. When I crank it over, it makes this scraping sound. It doesn't make it if it's running, only with the starter engaged. I've tried another starter I had lying around, same issue. Flexplate isn't cracked, the bolts are tight, and the teeth are fine. No rub marks anywhere on the flexplate, bellhousing, or starter. Any ideas?

Is that last picture on Lolo Pass in Idaho?

And here they are!