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Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by iharding, Jan 26, 2020.

  1. Jan 26, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    I'm putting a NOS replacement engine and rebuilt transmission/tranfer case/PTO in my jeep and going to be selling the perfectly good existing stuff as a unit.

    I bought a NOS replacement 225 engine a while ago and I'm finally going to put it in my Jeep. I didn't need it, and still don't, since my current engine doesn't burn oil, doesn't smoke and doesn't make funny noises. But it was a good deal and since I have the rest of the drivetrain freshened up, I thought I might as well put all new stuff in it.

    This Jeep came to me with its original drivetrain intact and apparently never removed or messed with. It had the 225/T-14/D-18 you'd expect and it all worked great -- until first gear broke. I found a rebuilt T-90/D-18 twin stick on craigslist nearby, so I stuffed that in, and sent the original lump to Herm to have it rebuilt. I didn't want to put that pretty stuff behind that greasy old engine so I just waited. I've been waiting long enough.

    I've accumulated most of the bits I need to do a parallel build, a fully functional and complete drivetrain I can swap out in a day. I don't like my Jeep being in pieces. The goal is to be able to dispose of the existing drivetrain by getting it in the hands of someone who needs it to keep or put another old Jeep into service.

    My plan is to take the engine apart, clean the 40 year old dried up assembly lube out, and put it back together with new seals and gaskets. I don't think I'll have much else to do. It should be a real treat working on a clean, dry parts and fasteners that don't have a zillion heat cycles on them.

    Here are some pics.

    https://photos.app.goo.gl/QEsL3FZW8GGrsA2B7
     
  2. Feb 1, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    Is this real life? I went to take off the oil pan and all the fasteners were torqued exactly to spec and came right out. The main things I was worried about were

    1. Rodents/insects having set up house
    2. Assembly lube having turned to stone.

    Neither of those things happened.

    My TODO list got a lot shorter. I'm not going to fool with taking out the camshaft just to re-lube it. I'm not going to push out the pistons... I'm probably going to unbolt the connecting rods and main bearings just to lift the crank out and make installing the new neoprene rear main seal easier. Basically just going to disassemble to that point, lube, reassemble and run it. I think I'm going to open up the oil pump and see what's going on in there, if they packed it with vaseline or left it dry.

    I was surprised by the colorful paint coding they did to things in there, and the numbers stamped on the bottom of the block which I assume are some kind of measurements, runout or whatever. Again, not my problem, I assume the engine builders took those into account when they assembled it.

    Is there anything I should definitely do or not do?

    More pics in the gallery above.
     
  3. Feb 2, 2020
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    Messages:
    971
    Some great work!

    Of course, the photos with all the Corvairs brings a smile to my heart!
     
  4. Feb 2, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    That was the Orphan and Discontinued Car Show my Corvair club put on. I actually traded my last Corvair for this Jeep!
     
  5. Feb 2, 2020
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    Messages:
    971
    They are always close to my heart, I'm sure I will get another. The 65 and 66 Corsa are my go too!
    [​IMG]
     
    bigbendhiker and Fly Navy like this.
  6. Feb 16, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    I changed my mind and took the pistons and the crank all the way out. There was a lot of hard assembly lube in there so I'm glad I did. The 40 year old rope seal and packings lifted right out. Gaskets come off in one piece. It's like a dream.
     
    fhoehle likes this.
  7. Feb 16, 2020
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2008
    Messages:
    2,169
    :goodidea:
    I had a rebuilt engine on the stand for over 20years. Primed up good and fired right off. 20 min later it started knocking. Hardened assembly lube and dried neoprene gaskets. It's worth the time and little bit of $ to save over $3k.
     
    fhoehle likes this.
  8. Mar 9, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    It's coming back together. I have it put back how it was when I bought it, as a short block. I also bolted the heads on and put the rocker assemblies/lifters in.

    I don't have fasteners for a bunch of things so I looked up the sizes in the parts book and tried to get bolts that were close at the hardware store. They are not close enough.

    If you have any of these rolling around in your possible box, I'd like bolts for

    Valve covers
    Intake manifold -- Nevermind.. turns out you can get these anywhere...
    Exhaust manifold
    Fuel pump
    ...

    I'd be happy to pay for them plus shipping.
     
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2020
  9. Mar 10, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    If you look online or call a place like Fastenal I would be willing to bet you can round up the bolts new. I know I bought my exhaust manifold and intake bolts at the local hardware store. If I had any spare engines I would gladly give you some bolts.
     
    iharding likes this.
  10. Mar 29, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354

    Had to grind more than I expected to get the DUI distributor to fit.
     
  11. Mar 29, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    I eventually found all the fasteners I've needed but to keep my current drivetrain as complete as possible I am looking for a couple things.

    Generator brackets
    Fan (driven) pulley
    ...

    That's all I can think of at the moment. There's more pics in the gallery.

    Installation question: if you had an engine, transmission , transfer case and PTO to install, how would you do it? I kind of feel like doing it all in one piece would be easier and that taking the body off would be required. I've never taken the body off. Looks like a lot of work.

    I've changed the trans/tc/PTO from below before with just the floor out and it sucked.
     
  12. Mar 29, 2020
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    Where on earth did you find a NOS 225ci?
     
    fhoehle likes this.
  13. Mar 30, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    Craigslist! It was mentioned on this site, I snapped it up for $500.
     
  14. Mar 30, 2020
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    Very cool dude (y)
     
  15. Apr 4, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    I am going to break my Jeep this weekend. It will be broken for a while. I think it's good to have a video for any potential buyers of the existing stuff so I took some. They are in the album. If you might be interested let me know.

    My plan is to put the rebuilt original transmission/transfer case back in place from below, then put the engine in. I'm planning on buying a $240 Harbor Freight engine hoist and probably throwing it in with the engine or selling it on craigslist. Renting those things is $200 if you keep it for a few days.

    Parts I'm planning on robbing off the current drivetrain:

    Dipstick
    Air cleaner
    Fan pulley
    Alternator mount and Alternator
    Parking brake assembly
    Exhaust recirculating valve on RH manifold

    Other than that you get everything and some extra junk if you want it. I'll put up a for sale thread when it's time. By everything I mean crossmember, exhaust crossover, motor mounts, I'm not taking much off.
     
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2020
    Muzikp likes this.
  16. Apr 18, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    Things are going back together. I found this wire and I don't know where it was attached. It's green and is in the tarantula of wires at the alternator.


    IMG_20200417_180413969.jpg

    Any ideas?

    Looks like the alternator has plenty of wires attached...

    IMG_20200418_100229684.jpg
     
  17. Apr 20, 2020
    iharding

    iharding Quitter

    Tacoma, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2013
    Messages:
    354
    Distributor lead! I have to take out the ballast resistor so I'm glad I traced this or I might have forgotten. Probably try to start it next couple of days.

    IMG_20200419_212909075.jpg
     
  18. Apr 20, 2020
    Jeff Bromberger

    Jeff Bromberger Quarantined in the Garage

    Dallas Metroplex...
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2019
    Messages:
    202
    How long do you have on the assembly lube before it goes to crap? I finished building my engine about a month ago, and it probably won't have real oil in it for another month or two. Is this still safe? If not, then I have to get jumping faster...
     
  19. Apr 20, 2020
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2008
    Messages:
    2,169
    I think your fine. Especially with any kind of climate control. Myself I'd use some Stabil fogging oil in the plug holes, intake and exhaust, tape them off.
     
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