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"greased Lightning" 1971 Cj-6 Build Thread

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Brandon DeFord, Feb 28, 2020.

  1. Dec 9, 2020
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    Its based on a small block chevy, parts don’t come cheaper or more plentiful. Rest my case.
     
  2. Dec 9, 2020
    Richard in AZ

    Richard in AZ I just don't understand the like of patina

    PHX AZ
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2016
    Messages:
    142
    I have a rebuildable 225 core up in north Phoenix.....PM me if interested.

    Richard
     
  3. Dec 10, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    I think the 4.3 is winning it. I found another engine out of a 2001 Silverado with 115k with computer and harness $400. It will bolt direct to my th350 I only have to add gm motor mounting and get the pcm flashed and mod the harness. My current projected 225 build is passing the $3000 mark. As much I want to keep this dauntless powered I just don't think it is worth it at this point. Now the 4.3 swap education begins.
     
  4. Dec 15, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    I am looking at a couple 4.3 options. I have called on 3 different motors 2001-03 that come with harnesses and PCMs... miles range 120k to 170k... supposedly all running and pulled for V8 swaps. My other option is a 1990 S10 motor pulled about 20 years ago and sitting under plastic in a Tucson shop with 27k on it.
    From my short online education, benefits I see from the later year engines is the true Vortec heads, the Multiport fuel setups with good support to get the PCM flashed etc. the negatives are that with higher miles I should probably spend the cash to open them up, replace seals, and see what else they need (boring out, crank grinds, balance etc.). the positive with the 1990... obviously with lower miles I probably don't need to look at rebuilding, however negatives I see are poor flowing heads and the extra cost of adding tbi to it (doesn't come with the carb or tbi).
     
  5. Dec 15, 2020
    45es

    45es Active Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Naches, WA
    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2007
    Messages:
    1,103
    With the choices you have, I would pick one of the newer engines with least amount of milage. The 4.3's evolved over the years with improvements for the better. The older 1990 engine would still need to be opened up for repairs and gaskets.
     
    Brandon DeFord likes this.
  6. Jan 26, 2022
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    Well its been over a year since I have updated this build and I found it languishing on
    page 10. Truthfully there hasn't been much progress since then with a new job and life but I hope to get a big push now. The latest progress is as follows: I got the tub chemically stripped and sandblasted along with the fenders, grill and hood.

    [​IMG]
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    I acquired a SBC 305, and got a full TPI set up for it and a set of aluminum heads from an 88 corvette. I also sourced a Monza V8 radiator that I am hoping to fit without moving the front crossmember (although I do think there will be some slight modification). I also took delivery of the JB Conversions 4-1 kit for the D300 so I have that to build as well. The tub was much rougher than expected so I am looking at beefing it up quite a bit as I fix what rot is there. I plan to raise the floor in the rear to accommodate a fuel tank tuck and taller shock mounts.
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    Tomorrow I will start tearing into the tub and see what I can come up with. Once I am happy with how it sits I will locate the drivetrain, steering, and shock towers. I have not done any bodywork before so this should be fun.

     
  7. Jan 27, 2022
    jbrucru

    jbrucru Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Glasgow, KY
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2011
    Messages:
    198
    My first rebuild started in Feb of 2012, and I didn’t button it all back up until almost three years later. It’ll get there! Life happens. I’m back at it seven years later and had to Google my thread it was so far back in the archives so I could resurrect it. I attempted the 4.3 but ended up hitting the easy button and went with another 305 since it was already set up for one. Now I’m rebuilding the 305.
     
    givemethewillys, jeepstar and ITLKSEZ like this.
  8. Jan 27, 2022
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    No problem, I'm in the same boat! The best part of these jeeps are that they don't cost you much. I'm super close on my rebuild, but it hasn't moved in 6 years or so. I'm hoping that this is the year.

    Keep at it, you'll get there!
     
  9. Feb 3, 2022
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    in the last week I was able to get a little time in the evenings so I have a 90% solution on my shock tower placement. I went super budget and am doing ford towers on all 4 corners.
     
  10. Feb 3, 2022
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    in the last week I was able to get a little time in the evenings so I have a 90% solution on my shock tower placement. I went super budget and am doing ford towers on all 4 corners.
    [​IMG]
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    Of course I cant get shock towers that high in the rear so some surgery had to happen.
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    The underside of this tub is pretty cracked out and torn up so I took the opportunity to beef it up and tuck the fuel tank up and out of the way of my suspension. My plan is that phase 2 of this build I will put in a custom fuel tank. I am making accommodations for that in how I am designing the rear of the tub.

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    Obligatory photo of my welding assistant. I used 18 Gauge steel to layout the floor and suspension panel. I used a combo of butt and plug welds to secure it in. I've never really done any welding with sheet metal... at work, it's all rivets and mostly aluminum but working steel has proven pretty similar with some caveats.


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    I test fit the back seat. I plan to make it easily removable. I want to be able to take it out to put in custom car seats for the kiddos or throw in extra gear for hunting or wheeling trips.
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    I have tomorrow to work on it and then Ill be back to work for 12 days. I'm gonna see how far I can get into the rotten floor panels and reinforcing/rebuilding some tub mounts.
     
  11. Feb 25, 2022
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    Well the sheet metal work continues slowly but surely. I have just about got the drivers floor pan finished. It has taken way longer than I expected. I am sure some of that is because I am learning as I go. Here is where I am at with the floor pan:
    [​IMG]

    I also tackled a patch panel that I thought was poorly executed by the last guy. I don't know that I have done much better but at least I'm getting some practice.

    [​IMG]


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    I also took the opportunity to plug weld all the extra holes in the firewall I left anything threaded and the main wiring hole but pretty much everything else will be plugged. Once it is smooth I can redrill what I need. I still have a way to go on the tub. I feel like once this is done feel like I should get a coat of primer on the bare metal just to keep any rust from forming.
     
  12. Feb 25, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
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    1,322
    Nice work, good to see some progress!
     
  13. Mar 1, 2022
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    One foot in front of the other will get you there. Nice job so far!
     
    Fireball likes this.
  14. Mar 1, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,559
    All that work on the tub don’t forget the “Wheelhouse Notch”.
     
  15. Mar 1, 2022
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    CJ6...:D
     
  16. Mar 1, 2022
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    Oh yes that's the notch for the second row right?
     
  17. Mar 1, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,559
    It’s a modification to the rear fender well to allow the seat to slide back further.
     
  18. Mar 1, 2022
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    I know, I was poking fun because it's a cj6 and I have plenty of room.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2022
    Buildflycrash likes this.
  19. Mar 2, 2022
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
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    3,559
    Yup. I wasn’t paying attention to the 6 part. Now I want one!
     
  20. Jun 4, 2022
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    Well for my quarterly update... As the temperatures have heated up in Arizona, I shifted gears to the drivetrain for the summer. a combination of hot weather and a new addition to the family in the form of boy #2 has kept my progress slow. I have been able to open up the free to me rebuilt 305 and inspect it. All the bearings are new and no action was required for them. Turns out the bores are still the factory nominal 3.736 inches. with the most wear being .003 on cylinder #8 I can detect a slight ridge at the bore tops but I was still able to remove all the pistons with ease. I did ridge ream one cylinder but I don't know if it was even necessary. Maybe one of you engine guys can chime in on this.
    [​IMG]


    The pistons installed were dished. I crunched my numbers and with the -113 aluminum L98 heads I think my CR would be much too low for my purposes. I picked up some flat-top pistons from Summit. with a .020 deck and thin head gaskets, I think I can .045 quench and somewhere in the range of a 10-1 static CR.
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    I also have found time to go through the 87 Corvette TPI system I sourced and cleaned it up and inspected it. I will have to replace injectors and I am going to delete the 9th cold start injector and blank off the EGR and put all new o-rings in it. Everything got a paint job while I was at it.


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    I don't have any pictures yet but I also did a preliminary inspection on the -113 Aluminum heads. Intake valves were a bit carboned up but nothing had a burned look. A straight edge on the deck showed no warpage.... max .001 both intake and exhaust springs are the identical height I've been told that worn-out springs will be different heights due to fatigue, does that sound right? I plan to lap my valves but judging from the way these heads look I think they have very little use and I am inclined to clean them up and use them as is. I will be pulling the cam, it is a XE268H grind, and the RPM range is 1800-5800. I'm looking to pick my torque curve up sooner and I am not worried about RPMs over 5k. I am looking at either the XE249H grind with a 1000-5000 rpm or the X4250H extreme 4x4 with 600-4600 rpm range. Any input here is welcome. I am not tied to Comp cams, I've just found more grinds at that power band than other makers. Ive emailed several cam companies about recommendations but I guess ill have to put in a phone call if I want a response.
    Ill keep plugging away at this through the hot months and hopefully get to my 4-1 gears in my D300 before it cools off and I pull the tub and frame back out.


     
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