1954 CJ3B - Project

[AJ-MJ]

Day 1 - I pulled the spark plugs and all 4 were dry, black and sooty. I guess it was running rich 30 years ago. Added Marvel Mystery Oil. Then I started taking off the tow bar, CB, speakers and rear spare tire carrier. I think I cut off about half the screws & bolts I removed. Vacuumed up a lot mouse stuff etc.

[gmwillys]

black soot is much better than coolant/rust. As you imply, a carb adjustment is much easier than the alternative.

[56willys]

Those rusty bolt gremlins seem to strike on everything. Nothing worse then making a five minute job take five hours because a bolt broke off. Firm believer in never-seize.

I've heard good things about mystery oil, however if it doesn't work, I used some automatic trans fluid in my spare motor. And it seemed to work well. I would check your oil pump before trying to turn it over too much. The pump on mine was seized and when I got the cam to turn over it stripped the gear. Just a couple things to be mindfull of.

Glad to see your back working on the project, looking forward to updates!

[bmorgil]

Good stuff there 56'. The oil pump, what a disaster!

AJ-MJ Black soot on the plugs is as gm said, much better than anything else. I would say probably idling with the choke on before she got shut down the last time. That said, I have yet to pour gas into a 30 year old carb and have it function as designed. But, miracles never cease! That said, I have had a few motors that set for a long time, that with a carb rebuild ran just like the day they shut down.

[AJ-MJ]

Thanks for all the tips and encouragement. I am taking a little R&R and plan to get back after the jeep on Tuesday. I'll post some pictures when I figure that out. THANKS AGAIN!

[AJ-MJ]

Here is a couple of pictures of the 3B

[AJ-MJ]

I know there is a lot of discussion about what color is the engine. WELL, I got a blue one

[LarrBeard]

Your iteration of the F-134 has the closed crankcase vent on the exhaust valve cover with the "PCV" valve tied back to the vacuum line and a hose on the intake valve cover. Some iterations just had an open road tube for a crankcase vent..

[bmorgil]

The top looks like it is in excellent condition. Who made the top?

Is that a 72' El Camino setting next to it?

[AJ-MJ]

The top looks like it is in excellent condition. Who made the top?

Is that a 72' El Camino setting next to it?

I helped (?) my dad put the top on the the jeep when I was probably about 8 years old. I think I held the screws, screw drive and drill when he when he needed something I handed it to him. The top either came from Sears or J C Whitney. I am not sure. The top saved the interior. It is original and in fair to good shape. It was painted with that interior vinyl paint. Any suggestion on the best chemical to take that stuff off would be appreciated.

The second project is a 82 Caballero (GMC version of the El Camino) I may need some small block Chey help too, LOL!