My first vehicle! 1956 CJ5

[56willys]

I got all new tie rods. And did an alignment. Now both wheels are straight. And before with the new tires and old tie rod, even just slow in my yard you could see the tires wobbling back and forth. Now its solid. I even finished up wiring. All the lights work and everything is new. I got a new gasket and put the oil pan back on. Still have to set valve lash and then hopefully the knocking will go away. After it gets run some more.

[bmorgil]

Moving along nicely! Let us know if that knock comes back.

[gmwillys]

Good deal. Worn steering will drive you weary in a hurry. Glad you have it sorted out.

[56willys]

So over the last few weeks i reassembled the oil pan after confiriming the bearings/ wrist pins are good. I then set valve lash and finised putting covers back on. I got fresh oil and rebuilt the distributor. Then put on new plugs and wires. And retorqued head bolts(3 were probably 5-10 lbs lose). With the plugs out i turned it over with the starter to try to blow carbon chunks out. And also prime oil pump. It was then time to fire it up. Started easily and sounded good so I took it out and cruised 35-40 mph for over 4 miles. And a few more miles the other day. The entire time never knocked or had any weird noises and just purred along perfectly. After getting back from the 4 miles I took of the rubber hose on the valve cover off and there was no steam (normally it would smoke for a minute after shutting it off). Retorquing the head bolts probably helped. The oil is still nice and clean and didnt even leak. Was definitly running smoother with the new ignition system.
It's a happy Jeep.

[bmorgil]

That's about as good of a situation as you could ask for! Interesting the head stud nuts were that loose.

[56willys]

Yes. I'm happy the motor isn't seriously hurt. And hopefully I can get a long time out of it without problems. I thought it was weird that some bolts were lose too. The manual you gave me the link for said 60_70 ft lbs. I did 65 and all the other bolts clicked almost immediately. Who knows when the last time they were torqued.

[gmwillys]

Glad to hear that your engine is running smooth. That will be a load of your mind for sure.