1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Handful of Dumb Questions from a new owner

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by badllama, Jul 23, 2007.

  1. Jul 26, 2007
    farfle

    farfle old dog

    Mariposa, CA
    Joined:
    May 14, 2007
    Messages:
    430
    Well, it looks like unsolvable oddness. I've got the right dipstick, I've got the right pan (I would assume AMC didn't weld skid plates on automoble oil pans) and I've got a 5qt capacity, yet others with the same have a 6qt capacity. In the end, probably doesen't matter that much, so I'll just stick with the 5qts. Another one of those Jeep oddball deals with no solution. The German in me would really like a rational, logical explanation for the difference, though. Shallower pan with more GC wouldn't bother me though. Aww, now I gotta go out and do a depth measurement. I hate being German sometimes.
     
  2. Jul 26, 2007
    farfle

    farfle old dog

    Mariposa, CA
    Joined:
    May 14, 2007
    Messages:
    430
    Measured my pan. Looks to be 8 3/4" from the bottom of the mounting flange to the bottom of the skidplate. I wonder if the pan changed when AMC went to the lighter 258? I think I remember reading that the older engine had more main bearings. I don't really know when AMC went to the newer 258, but if it was in 1976, and the pan is slightly different between the two engines, that could explain why Tim's 77 takes 6 and my 75 takes 5. Pan could have changed shape, too, I guess...
     
  3. Jul 26, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Not main bearings ... the number of counterweights changed. All modern inline 6s have 7 main bearings.

    The newer "lightweight" 258 started in 1981. The '75 engine is the same as the '77 engine, except mine was the first year for the 2V Carter BBD, and then only in full-sized Jeeps. I don't know of any other differences.
     
  4. Jul 26, 2007
    Brieoff

    Brieoff Member

    TX
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    310
    As Rick said, if you are getting good oil pressure with 5qts (or whatever you've been using) then don't worry about it. Go with what has been working. That engine would have blown up years ago if you were doing something wrong or bad.

    If its getting good oil, thats all that matters. The rest is just un-needed worry.
     
  5. Jul 26, 2007
    farfle

    farfle old dog

    Mariposa, CA
    Joined:
    May 14, 2007
    Messages:
    430
    Thanks guys. I't not that I'm worried. I would just like to know what the difference is. Simple curiosity. A character flaw, I guess.
    The brew idea sounds good to me.
     
  6. Jul 26, 2007
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Messages:
    878
    My boss is German. Working for someone who demands rational logical explanations for everything is FUN! :(
     
  7. Jul 26, 2007
    littledochawk

    littledochawk Member

    Yakima, WA
    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2007
    Messages:
    70

    I asked once already, but what is "good" oil pressure? 20psi??
     
  8. Jul 26, 2007
    badllama

    badllama New Member

    TN
    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2007
    Messages:
    17
    I might have figured it out, is your dip stick straight or arched? mine is arched meaning that the tip will be higher than yours because of the distance the tip travels left and right versus up and down, meaning that i have to put more oil in my pan to reach full. Maybe i should un-arc my dipstick....
     
  9. Jul 26, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Oil pressure at least 20 after warmup your good to go.

    If not or you lose oil pressure often then put more in.

    Just dont overfill and all will be fine.

    Hows your tire pressure's now that something to worry about.:)
     
  10. Jul 27, 2007
    farfle

    farfle old dog

    Mariposa, CA
    Joined:
    May 14, 2007
    Messages:
    430
    Straight dipstick. Thick, Strong. No flacidity like your current generation of dipsticks.

    I'll probably go to hell for that, but some chances only come along once in life.
     
  11. Jul 27, 2007
    trickpatrick

    trickpatrick Done? LOL

    North Idaho USA
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2006
    Messages:
    838
    Crossed my mine but I like it here and want to stay.:)
     
  12. Jul 27, 2007
    littledochawk

    littledochawk Member

    Yakima, WA
    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2007
    Messages:
    70
    I have noticed that when I am running the engine in gear the pressure is above 20 but when I come to a stop light or idle the engine it starts to drop off a bit.

    As far as the tire pressure, it depends on what trail I'm running. :)
     
  13. Jul 27, 2007
    Brieoff

    Brieoff Member

    TX
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    310
    Your pressure will fluctuate with engine speed.
    Sounds like your pressure levels are fine.
    Yes, I believe 20psi is just fine.
     
  14. Jul 28, 2007
    littledochawk

    littledochawk Member

    Yakima, WA
    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2007
    Messages:
    70
    Mine had been fluctuating quite a bit, so I took a look under the hood. I noticed that I was seeing some oil creep up the dipstick and out onto the engine. I pulled the dipstick and noticed it was very loose. I stretched the metal just below the handle, it went back in nice and snug. Fired the engine up and sure enough the oil pressure was holding right around 20psi again.
     
  15. Jul 29, 2007
    wally

    wally SSSSTER

    upper merrimack...
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2005
    Messages:
    554
    and i agree with you. i've been changing the oil once per year on my '75 258 for the last 15 years, and i've always used 5 quarts of oil, including a changed filter. 6 would be too much for mine.

    i'd add 4 quarts, and then add 1/2 qt at a time until the top mark is met on the dipstick, once you find the dipstick.


    also, my '75 tech manual does claim 6 qts with filter, but i've never used more than 5. full is indicated at 5 qts. also, i used a napa 1258 filter (big) for years, and now i use a wix gold 3258 ?? large filter.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2007
New Posts