Texas 79 CJ7 Build

[Jim Dandy]

Hey all,

I'm picking up the build update over here under this forum. Thanks for the warm welcomes under the welcome forum..

For those who didn't see.. I'll summarize again and add the new pics.

Here's the basics.
1979 CJ7 - 258 4.2l- 3 speed T150, AMC 20 rear (3.54), Dana 30 Front (3.54), Dana 20
New TDK Frame
New MD Juan Steel tub

The body was rusted beyond my ability to save it and the frame had a small 1/8" tweak. Yes Dad jumped a few creeks Dukes of Hazzard style on more than one occasion

There's more that still needs to be powder coated as we're working toward a rolling chassis bit it's getting there.

Here's a few pics of how I got it for those that missed it and some more of what we have thus far. A long way to go and God knows how many questions..

Jim

 

[Jim Dandy]

Anyone have a lead on a 1st & Reverse Synchronizer assembly for the T150??

 

[Jim Dandy]

Good morning. Happy Thanksgiving. Here's the latest progress. DUI distributor, MSP plugs, valve cover and breathers, polished aluminum pulleys, fan is on, and the bumper. Having trouble finding the right PS pump or figuring out if I need new brackets due to the 4.0 head conversion. If anyone could help or point me in the right direction about that if they've done the 4.0 head conversion on the 258 as well, that would be great. As you can see, good 'ol Mickey is wanting to go for a ride as well. Gotta get it done this year.

 

[wayoflife]

Nice! Not sure how I missed this thread when it was posted last year LOL. Looks like you're making some nice progress though. Wish I could help you but I've never done a 4.0L head conversion. Are you planning on installing fuel injection?

 

[Jim Dandy]

Hey Thank you. It's been a work in progress. I think I'm sticking with old school with a little umph. I have the clifford with the twin 2bbl weber going on it next. I really just upgraded the distributor to help with the more consistent spark and eliminate the need for the coil. Wanted to keep the engine bay fairly clean. With all the wires and lines. Will clean up the spark plug wire runs and add aluminum fuel lines from the fuel pump to the carbs next as well.

 

[RockyJk]

I looked into this a long time ago for my CJ and “Clearwater Cylinder heads” out of Florida used to sell complete drop in 4.0 heads for that swap maybe they can give you some insight on the brackets?

 

[Jim Dandy]

I got my head from them. That's a good idea. I'll ask them.

 

[jeeeep]

I got my head from them. That's a good idea. I'll ask them.

come on now, you know what you're thinking of...

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

Hey Thank you. It's been a work in progress. I think I'm sticking with old school with a little umph. I have the clifford with the twin 2bbl weber going on it next. I really just upgraded the distributor to help with the more consistent spark and eliminate the need for the coil. Wanted to keep the engine bay fairly clean. With all the wires and lines. Will clean up the spark plug wire runs and add aluminum fuel lines from the fuel pump to the carbs next as well.

My recollection of the Clifford intake (on a '79 CJ-5) was that it ran cold due to having no natural source of heat. Some sort of bolt-on heat source (radiator water or electrical) would be a good idea to help in cold weather. The Clifford was obviously intended for high performance applications, but my heads were never ported to match up with it. It seems that you have the time and focus to do this properly.

 

[Jim Dandy]

Yes. You run a coolant line to it. It has inlet and outlet water ports that are supposed to be designed to help with the fuel vaporizing. That's the theory anyway.

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

Yes. You run a coolant line to it. It has inlet and outlet water ports that are supposed to be designed to help with the fuel vaporizing. That's the theory anyway.

That's interesting. The Clifford intake that I installed around 1989 did not have that feature. But it could surely be added by adding something under the carburator. In those days there was no Internet and it was hard to find information. I installed intake and headers in our apartment parking lot.

 

[Jim Dandy]

I'm sure it's evolved over the years. I'll post pics of the next bit if progress soon. Some final parts getting sandblasted this week and then to the powder coater and the body and parts are going to the painter Monday the 9th. Lord willing we'll have him on the road soon.

 

[Jim Dandy]

The body and parts are finally off to paint. Looking more and more like a jeep again. Added the striker pins though so I can use the half doors. What do ya think?

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

It is going to look great! The tailgate does not look stock though (for a '79) based on my experience with my CJ-5. It looks like a newer style.

 

[Jim Dandy]

It is going to look great! The tailgate does not look stock though (for a '79) based on my experience with my CJ-5. It looks like a newer style.

Thanks. Knowing me, I'll probably run around without the doors but I knew I'd want them later at some point as an option. May as well have them painted at the same time.

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

Thanks. Knowing me, I'll probably run around without the doors but I knew I'd want them later at some point as an option. May as well have them painted at the same time.

Maybe it is similar to an '84 or whatever the last year was.

I had a bottom of the line CJ-5 and it is likely that the nicer CJ-7s were more dressed up. My CJ-5 had the factory spare tire mount on the side, so the factory tire must have been narrow.

 

[Jim Dandy]

Maybe it is similar to an '84 or whatever the last year was.

I had a bottom of the line CJ-5 and it is likely that the nicer CJ-7s were more dressed up. My CJ-5 had the factory spare tire mount on the side, so the factory tire must have been narrow.

I think your right. I know back when they were 15 inch wheels and I think the tire they cam with was like a 29" high or something like that so they were not very wide with that height

 

[Jim Dandy]

Hey Jeep Brothers and Sisters. Here's the latest update and a request for some help.

Today we got the chrome headers on and the Clifford 6 to 8 intake with the twin 2bbl carbs installed. Love how it's looking and I'm pretty excited.

The challenge is that with the 4.2 to 4.0 head conversion we did, the #0630 head is taller and two of the original 4.2 rear ps bracket holes don't line up. I know the conversion is common and there's a lot of talk about this issue but there's nothing really prominent out there about the solution. I need to know how to modify the bracket or find a rear 4.0 ps bracket that will fit.

Let me know your thoughts and if you know a solution for the bracket I'd be grateful.