Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

[Wildman]

I would get all that welding and grinding done before putting that pretty motor in.

If I set it in there is would only be to check clearance and determine where the axle needs to be. Then I'd pull it again. But yes I agree I don't want it in there if I'm doing any cutting or welding. I'm sure before I'm done I'll end up pulling it and installing it a few more times. Not that I want to...


The other thing I've got to do is figure out how to mount my engine/trans skid plate. And make sure that the 8 quart oil pan will fit. I really want to keep it if I can. I'm also going to get a deeper transmission pan if I have the room.

 

[Wildman]

I worked on figuring out my pushrod length today. Damn I hate getting old. Spent almost 2 hours trying to figure out where I'd put the adjustable pushrods and couldn't find them. So I finally figured out what I had done with them and was able to get to this task.

So I removed the valve springs and installed the testing springs. Then I marked the tip of the valve stem with a dry erase marker.

Then I installed the rocker arms for the #1 cylinder and adjusted the pushrod to 0 lash. Then I rotated the engine over 3 times before I took the rocker arms back off to check the pattern.

This gets me to a 6.8130" I still need to add .020 for the preload on the hyd lifters which then gives me a 6.8330 length. They make pushrods in 0.050" lengths so for this I'd want to go to a 6.850" length pushrod. I'm going to check it again tomorrow just to double check everything since this isn't something I do all the time.

Now the stock pushrod length is 6.925" just for comparison.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Every step amigo, even the small ones, gets you closer.

And I hear you on the getting old part. I must have spent a half hour looking for the air adapter I built to check the function of the ARB when I set up the 14 bolt - and I just used it back in December when I did the 60.

 

[Wildman]

Every step amigo, even the small ones, gets you closer.

And I hear you on the getting old part. I must have spent a half hour looking for the air adapter I built to check the function of the ARB when I set up the 14 bolt - and I just used it back in December when I did the 60.

I still need to make a tester so I can check my ARB's before I get everything buttoned up.

I didn't get anything done yesterday but woke up early today so went out and worked on the engine again. Ran thru the length checker again and got the same numbers with the same pattern on the tips of the valve stems.

Had fun getting the keepers for the valves back in place.

Applied air to the cylinder to keep the valves in place and removed the light springs and put the regular valve springs back in place.

So I ordered the pushrods thru Summit Racing and went with some Trick Flow pushrods since they were guide plate compatible.

 

[Wildman]

Then I finished cleaning up the power steering pump & alternator-A/C brackets in the blasting cabinet then threw a coat of self etching primer on them. Then came inside for some coffee while I let the paint dry.

 

[Wildman]

There are some small differences between the 5.2 and 5.9 engines. The one you'll notice first is that the cast in motor mount tabs on the 5.9 are narrower than the 5.2 on the drivers side.

So Advanced Adapters includes spacers but I didn't have them since the first engine was a 5.2. So I ordered the spacers from Advanced Adapters.

They fit between the motor mount and tabs on the engine.

The passenger side doesn't need spacers.

 

[Wildman]

Since I'm getting closer to the engine being done I had to see what the 6 pack is going to look like.

Damn that's SEXY looking

 

[Wildman]

2nd coat of primer sprayed on.

And now 1st coat of flat aluminum.

 

[taylormade73]

Since I'm getting closer to the engine being done I had to see what the 6 pack is going to look like.

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Damn that's SEXY looking

Pretty sure that's not going to fit in your small TJ, so I'll kindly take it off your hands to put in my LJ.

 

[Mike_H]

That's a pretty tall intake! You gonna need a shaker hood next...

 

[Wildman]

Pretty sure that's not going to fit in your small TJ, so I'll kindly take it off your hands to put in my LJ.

If you look at a stock 5.2 or 5.9 intake which is nick named the keg because it looks like half a beer keg it is about the same height.

That's a pretty tall intake! You gonna need a shaker hood next...

That is funny because we were talking about that the other day. It'd be pretty KEWL if I could figure out how to get one to work.

 

[Wildman]

Does this sound like a bad bearing to everyone?

Ordered a Timken 6203-2RSC3 to replace it with.

 

[Wildman]

Finding the correct bolts for the power steering pump. A little different than what is stock on a TJ.

Then just for grins and giggles I had to set the valve covers on.

This is my York mounting plate for the Dodge magnum V-8. Brad Kilby had done a V-8 swap into his TJ so of course had to make a bracket for a York to fit the Magnum 5.2/5.9 engines. So back in 2005 when I did this swap I called him up and asked if he had any kits for the V-8 and lucky for me he had a few in the shelf. So this is the bracket that the York mounts to.

2nd coat of paint on the accessory brackets.

 

[Wildman]

While I was waiting for the paint to dry I started transferring parts from my old York compressor over to the new & improved York from ORO.
The pulley popped off once I removed the bolt and then took the magnet for the clutch off also.

As I put the parts onto I'm putting a little lock-tite on the bolt.

Magnet bolted down on the new York.

Then some Lock-tite on the clutch bolt.

Pulley mounted onto the new York

Bolt tightened down and this part is done.

And because the York compressor sits where the ignition coil use to sit there is a bracket for it that mounts to the side of the York.

 

[Wildman]

The pulley that is used as a tensioner for the V-belt that drives the York off the alternator pulley had a noisy bearing so I have a new one on order. This is what it looks like mounted on the engine.

I'll get all the brackets mounted on the engine before I install it but will have to wait on the belts. The new bearing should be here on Wednesday. The pushrods will also arrive on Wednesday. I also needed a new dipstick tube and that will be here around 11 Feb.

 

[Modoc Guy]

Man, that’s a ton of work you’ve put into that motor and it’s looking sweet!

That tj of yours is gonna be one badass rig when you get done. Not that it wasn’t way cool before.

Dynamite job!

 

[Wildman]

Man, that’s a ton of work you’ve put into that motor and it’s looking sweet!

That tj of yours is gonna be one badass rig when you get done. Not that it wasn’t way cool before.

Dynamite job!

Thank you. I really can't wait until I can drive it again as it's been WAY too long.

 

[Wildman]

Paint was dry so it was time to start installing the power steering pump.

Next was to install the pulley onto the shaft. Having the correct tools is a nice thing when you are doing something like this.

And the pulley is on.

 

[Wildman]

And next was the alternator & A/C bracket. This hose that goes under it I don't think is the correct one put it's on there for now.

And then I started working on the York compressor. I had to grind down the corner of the bracket because the York wouldn't bolt up flat. So this new compressor must be a little bigger than the old style.

And while I was looking for other parts I found a dipstick tube that I thought I didn't have.

There is a LOT going on over in that corner. That tube barely fits.

Just showing how it all mounts.

 

[Wildman]

And while looking for other parts I found my plug set and there were 2 the size I needed for the bungs on the oil pan.

So tomorrow I'm going to set the intake on the engine again and make sure that is the correct hose and figure out which fitting I am going to need. Since I have a HydroVac I don't need the vacuum to the brake booster. I've also got to drill and tap the driver side fuel rail. And I'll get the injectors installed tomorrow also.