Hey Everyone, Today i finally got my CJ8 out of the garage under it's own power. I had it fired up earler this week, but coolant got into #1 and had hellish valvetrain noise from the 360. Granted i'm only using this 360 for a few months while i completely rebuild a different one, but still, it was BAD. Coolant seepage was because i didn't clean the bock/head well enough and the head gasket didn't seat right. Some elbow grease and a new head gasket, problem solved. I replaced the pushrods and lifters, used a lot of elbow grease on the rockers, VERY quiet valvetrain now. Too bad i have an ENORMOUS exhaust flange leak. Not a little ticking, mind you, but a big leak caused by a banana-shaped flange. Tomorrow i hope to have it on the lift so i can loosen the pipe and replace that flange. Coolant and oil levels are good, a little drip of ATF, wanna check all my connections tomorrow. Gotta adjust the kickdown, and alignment is very necessary. All in all, it's looking good. My project that lasted almost a year and a bunch of cash is finally on the streets. I forgot how nice it is to cruise behind the wheel. The temp dropped to the low 50's tonight, but i didn't care. The bikini top and windjammer are on the shelf: too nice of a night. Tossed on a sweatshirt, and damn..... beautiful. But i probably should replace that heater core soon ;)
Don W
'82 CJ8 Scrambler AMC 360 T/F 727 Dana 300 One-piece model 20 rear Dana 30 front, upgraded to 6-bolt caliper and Warn hubs, awaiting locker
2" shackle lift/reversal 2" lift springs of unknown origin 33" Mickey'sAnd it finally runs!!!!!