Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

For once I was more than HAPPY to see that UPS was wrong about a shipment. I got both my heads in today so I started getting them installed so I could measure for the pushrods and get them better before I go to install the transmission in my nieces truck.

Cometic head gaskets 0.070 thick due to the reduced combustion chamber size of the Eagle heads.

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They're pretty foolproof on which way to install.

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Eagle head on the left & stock 03 head on the right.

Exhaust ports

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Intake ports

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Combustion Chambers

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Used ARP Fastener Lube on the head bolts & the washers

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Heads installed and torqued down.

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The head bolts are torqued to 25 lb ft then 40 lb ft & then turned 90* which is the final step. So I marked each head bolt to know if I had turned it the needed 90*.

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Forgot to take pictures as I was checking for proper pushrod lengths. Got that measurement and will contact FRP in the morning to order them so hopefully they'll be here by the time I get back home. Did it 4 times just to make sure I was getting the same measurement.

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I did the same thing, measuring 3 or 4 times. If you think about it the pushrod is the rinky dinky thing in the valvetrain so it's gotta be right. When you have your pushrods in hand and get back to it pay attention to getting them installed correctly. I used a Lucas assembly lube that was kind of sticky. It helped to seat the pushrod and prevent it from moving when tightening down the rocker arms/shafts. Looking good!
 
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lowell66dart said:
I did the same thing, measuring 3 or 4 times. If you think about it the pushrod is the rinky dinky thing in the valvetrain so it's gotta be right. When you have your pushrods in hand and get back to it pay attention to getting them installed correctly. I used a Lucas assembly lube that was kind of sticky. It helped to seat the pushrod and prevent it from moving when tightening down the rocker arms/shafts. Looking good!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I'd read and seen a few videos about people having the pushrod drop out during assembly. Just trying to get them to stay in place while spinning the engine over to find TDC was a chore.

It's almost ready to drop into the Jeep... Yahoo
 
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Wildman said:
Thanks for the tip. I'd read and seen a few videos about people having the pushrod drop out during assembly. Just trying to get them to stay in place while spinning the engine over to find TDC was a chore.

It's almost ready to drop into the Jeep... Yahoo
Click to expand...

The “That thing got a Hemi in it?” guy is on stand-bye.

🙂
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
The “That thing got a Hemi in it?” guy is on stand-bye.

🙂
Click to expand...

What SUCKS is it'll be a week or so before I can finally stab it into the Jeep & for the last time hopefully. But I'd rather do the pushrods and get everything buttoned up outside of the Jeep than trying to lean over fenders and do it.
I've got more room than you did so I've been thinking about installing the Blackheart headers before I install the engine and see if I can get it in there.
I finally got the 45* oil filter adapter, the first one I'd ordered on Amazon the seller turned out to be a flake... Then ordered from one of the MoPart vendors. Took a while for shipping to get it here but I've got it now. Since I don't have a upper link on the passenger side like you I'm hoping that this will work & that I don't need to run a remote filter. But I'm prepared to if I have to, will just have to find a spot for the remote filter to mount.

Edit: Pushrods are ordered... So will hopefully have them by the time I get back from doing the transmission in my nieces rig.
 
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A/C tools are showing up. Got the manifold & vacuum pump in today and the crimping tool set will be here tomorrow or Thursday.

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Got the 45* oil filter housing adapter installed today which made me feel like I actually did something on the Jeep.

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I picked up the needed bolts to install the condenser onto the grille once I get the engine installed. That way I won't have to pull the radiator again.
Also picked up a gallon of Thermocure coolant cleaner. Plan on putting 1 gallon of coolant into the system then 16 oz of the cleaner and run the Jeep for a few days then flush the system and do the same again prior to filling it off.
I have 5w30w oil coming for the engine which is what MoPar calls for with this engine. After doing a LOT of reading it seems that if you try to run anything other than the specified oil weight the engine will throw codes.

I think I've just about either got everything I need on hand already or it's been ordered. Todd from JSS is looking for the alternator this coming week, if he can't find it I'll order a new one from Premier Power next week. FRP sent me a confirmation on my order for the pushrods, they'll be here Monday.
 
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Just picked up a custom socket from the UofWA.
Lower limb amputees can have fluctuations in volume size of their lower limb especially when sitting. So the Bioengineering center @ UofWA has come up with this socket that allows you to release the tension holding the socket onto your limb. The string is connected to the bottom of the liner worn on the limb and then connected to a motor in the bottom of the socket.

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This button allows you to loosen the string just a little while sitting.

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This button tightens the string to pull the limb into the socket.

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The battery adds some unwanted weight but I'm wearing this for a month.

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NashvilleTJ said:
That’s pretty cool, Rick. I hope it works well for you.

Although Doggy is clearly not impressed…
Click to expand...

This socket is only a trial unit and I'll only have it for about a month.


That's my BIL's runt of the litter Retriever. Dewey is a great dog.

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dandavand82 said:
WIldman, i couldn't figure out how to message you but i was wondering what tire, wheel and lift combo you had on your Host 270 motorhome
Click to expand...

If you're talking about this rig it isn't mine.

Post in thread 'Host F550 4X4 Motorhome Quad Slide 330' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/host-f550-4x4-motorhome-quad-slide-330.63361/post-1146764

This was a video I'd found online when I first started looking at the Host MH. But they are the 335/80/20 tires as far as I know. And the standard amount of lift from what they say in the video.
I own the 330 Host.
 
Wildman said:
If you're talking about this rig it isn't mine.

Post in thread 'Host F550 4X4 Motorhome Quad Slide 330' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/host-f550-4x4-motorhome-quad-slide-330.63361/post-1146764

This was a video I'd found online when I first started looking at the Host MH. But they are the 335/80/20 tires as far as I know. And the standard amount of lift from what they say in the video.
I own the 330 Host.
Click to expand...

Thanks, i just got a Host 270 and thinking about doing the super single kit on it. Did you lift your 330 Host or is it still stock with less than 33" duals in the rear?
 
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Well on my way home from the sisters house my 97 Ram 1500 turned over 250,000 miles. Since I'm such an attention whore I had to post pictures.

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250,000

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Got to my exit at 250,002 miles.

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Got a little something something for the 5.7 to help it breath a little better. Stock TB is 80mm & this TB from MMX is 87mm.

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I'll post pictures of the stock next to the MMX TB once I get it removed.


Pushrods are here. Once I drop Ryder off at the vet tomorrow morning I can start working on the Hemi.

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And got my A/C hose crimping tool set in too.

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Got the pushrods installed & then the rocker arms.

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Put the lower exhaust bolts in before installing the Blackheart headers.

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Header installed

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I'm using the Stage 8 fasteners again and got them installed.

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Here's the stock TB & the MMX 87mm TB next to each other.

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TB installed on the intake manifold.

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MMX adapters allowing me to use the stock 03-08 intake manifold on 09+ Eagle heads.

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Took a bit but I got the intake manifold installed and then installed the valve covers.

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Coil packs are set in place but I've still got to put the spark plugs in so I didn't bolt them down yet.

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