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spankrjs's Biloxi, MS '83 Scrambler

wm69

Scrambler Junkie
Silver Member
Lifetime Member
City
God's Country
State
AR
Mine went out on my CJ back in the late 90's, and a local mechanic wired in an HEI GM module because the replacement Duraspark modules were "china junk!". That one is still going strong. If you have problems with the new one you bought look up "Stealth HEI" and there's a good writeup on using a GM module in there that you can put in the duraspark case so it looks the same and plugs into the stock wiring.
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
Mine went out on my CJ back in the late 90's, and a local mechanic wired in an HEI GM module because the replacement Duraspark modules were "china junk!". That one is still going strong. If you have problems with the new one you bought look up "Stealth HEI" and there's a good writeup on using a GM module in there that you can put in the duraspark case so it looks the same and plugs into the stock wiring.

I am not too sure if that will work with the factory computer controlled Carter Carb:shrug: The under dash computer "talks" to the ICM, I am not 100% sure what they say, but they do talk to each other:shrug:

There is a Motorcraft part# DY893 that will supposedly supersedes all previous models, they cost about $80. If they are a "better then the Chinese crap ones", I don't mind spending the extra money. But, if they are Chinese crap with a higher price tag, then I guess I will start harvesting these things out of the junk yard:shrug:
 

bigwalton

Alaskan Postal nutjob
FORUM MANAGER
SOA Member
City
Dexter
State
MI
LOLOLOL

:rotfl:

Everyone at Laura's swimming practice is now wondering what the hell is on this iPad that's so damn funny. Thanks for that.


Sent from my iPad HD
 

jeepers 1940

Legacy Registered User
City
Madison
State
MS
You're right spankrjs, the PO or someone did a fabulous job on the green paint application on your Jeep. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing what you are able to do with your red one. I know it will be a stunner, too. It's in good hands.
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
You're right spankrjs, the PO or someone did a fabulous job on the green paint application on your Jeep. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing what you are able to do with your red one. I know it will be a stunner, too. It's in good hands.

Yep, the PO did a great job with the paint, mirror smooth/reflective. This is my favorite Jeep color:thumbsup:

The red one is "finished for now", it came out pretty good, but it has a few miles on it now :thumbsup:

https://www.cj-8.com/forum/showthre...ad-Trip-UPDATE-BODY-ON-FRAME-AGAIN&highlight=
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
Well, I have been neglecting this poor Scrambler:(

Since I bought this one, I have rebuilt my Red Scrambler, Jeep Addict's Green Scrambler, and have just about finished rebuilding my Tan Scrambler. During this time, besides changing out the rear axles/carb and vacuum line work, I have not really worked on this one, it just keeps running:thumbsup:

Now, with that being said, it does have some minor issues, like most 30 year old vehicles will.

The factory motor mounts/transmission mount and torque arm bushings are soft/squishy/torn, a result of all the oil that sprayed out of the broken/leaking factory plastic valve cover:rotfl:

Picture of the replacement mounts, I went with black polyurethane pieces. Some people say that the poly transmits vibrations back through the frame, but I have not experienced this in any of my other Jeeps. I also decided to change out the front axle oil (note the Lube Locker gasket, I love them), transmission and transfer case oil.

IMAG2213_zps4d5265dd-1.jpg



Since this Scrambler is sitting on 30 year old leaf springs, it sits too low to the ground to easily get underneath it, so using jack stands was a necessity.

IMAG2216_zps3e59fc2a-1.jpg



This is all motor oil. Surprisingly, the transmission and transfer case do not leak. I fixed the valve cover leak over a year ago, so this Scrambler really does not leak too much anymore. I really need to clean this one.

IMAG2220_zps3c38e770-1.jpg


IMAG2219_zps6ffcef0c-1.jpg


IMAG2223_zpsa18030b1-1.jpg



It was pretty easy to change out all of the above mentioned mounts, no issues. Quick picture of the old stuff. The transmission mount is completely smashed, I basically had metal on metal. I am hoping that this might have been the cause of my minor, inconsistent "knock" at idle sound. Before I changed all these mounts, you could watch the motor squirm around a little bit when it was idling.

IMAG2226_zpsa979866c-1.jpg



Since I will be putting a 1" lift on this Scrambler in the very near future, and will be changing out all of the other suspension bushings, I went ahead and swapped out the old, dried up, cracked original sway bar bushings. Again, it was a piece of cake, I love rust free Scramblers!!!!!

IMAG2235_zpsf91f013a-1.jpg
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
A few pictures from when I changed out the front axle gear oil. Everything looked fine in the front end, no need for any front differential work.

IMAG2229_zpsb1b89d63-1.jpg


IMAG2232_zpsa23f7f5f-1.jpg


IMAG2233_zpsa0248dfe-1.jpg



This Scrambler is running the stock 3.31 axle gears, computer controlled Carter carb equipped 258, T5, and 30" tires, and it is a "fun to drive" combination:twocents:


While there was nothing wrong with my stock T5 shifter, I decided to install my B&M short throw shifter, the shifter I was using in my red Scrambler. I love this shifter. I also changed out the stock/tore T5 shifter boots, the stock Dana 300 shifter boot was good to go.

IMAG2234_zps18c7c392-1.jpg



I mentioned earlier that I also changed out the transmission/transfer case fluid. Well, I guess it's time to bring back up the "what type of fluid to run in a T5 controversy":rotfl:

I "assumed" this Scrambler's T5 ran ATF, due to the red colored hue of the fluid. I was wrong. This Scrambler, in the exact same fashion as Jeep Addict's T176 equipped Green Scrambler (80,000 mile original), had some funky fluid in the T5 AND the Dana 300????

All four of these units, my T5/Dana 300 and Jeep Addicts T176/Dana 300, which I am going to say that it is pretty safe to say that they were running factory fluid, all used the same stuff - this weird reddish/black thick fluid that has a unique smell, NOT LIKE GEAR OIL. This fluid is way thicker then any engine oil/ATF, and I would say that it is as thick as gear oil, yet it is stickier and maybe thicker, similar to syrup but not that thick:shrug:

I refilled the Dana 300 with Valvoline conventional 80-90 weight gear oil, since I run this in all of my differentials/Dana 300's/ and T176's, and have never had a problem. For now, I refilled my T5 with some Dextron III, since I had 3 quarts on the shelf.

I saved some of the original fluid that came out of this T5. I plan on sending it to one of those "oil analysis places", suggestions welcome, to figure out exactly what this stuff is, and more importantly, what is a modern equivalent.

I also plan on installing the 1" Supoerlift springs/shocks soon.

That's it for now:wave:
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
This is an old picture of the factory fluid that came out of "Yard Scrambler's" T176, the exact same fluid came out of my T5/Dana 300. I wonder what it is:shrug::shrug:

0018-1.jpg



Note how this fluid "stains" the internal parts/cases.

0093-1.jpg


0039-1.jpg


0056-1.jpg



Note - the "staining" was present after steam cleaning:eek::eek:

All of the above pictures are from "Yard Scrambler's" 80,000 mile original T176, BUT my T5 had the same fluid in it:shrug:
 
Last edited:

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
I usually use http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ for engine oil analysis in about every other oil change.
Good report.
They can probably do it.

I've been using a Redline MT fluid in the T-176. Nice smooth shifts.
Don't recall which weight I've put in it off the top of my head but could find out if interested.
http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=46&pcid=7

Thanks for the link to the lab, I will contact them and see if they can help me out:thumbsup:

The Red Line stuff looks promising, I found a few transmission people who recommended it for T5's, but they also say that "Syncromesh" is OK to use, but it is way too thin IMO:shrug::shrug: I run the regular Valvoline 80-90 weight in my T76's, it is a GL5 rated gear oil, BUT it is safe to use in transmissions because it does not attack the "yellow parts" like most GL5's do.

I would like to think that the lab can tell me exactly what this stuff is, I would be willing to bet that it is the "proprietary AMC gear oil" stuff, but:shrug::shrug:
 

CJ8LVR

Legacy Registered User
SOA Member
City
Madison
State
AL
Pure Grade A Canadian Maple Syrup is likely what they will find.
...with a splash of bacon grease. BigWalton drinks a quart every morning with his Cocopuffs.
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
Pure Grade A Canadian Maple Syrup is likely what they will find.
...with a splash of bacon grease. BigWalton drinks a quart every morning with his Cocopuffs.

Nope, I already tasted it, tastes like chicken IMHO:thumbsup:
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
I received my lab sample kit this weekend.

Filled it up, mailed it out today.

IMAG2267_zps918291fb-1.jpg


IMAG2268_zps896d19b2-1.jpg



Surprisingly, I didn't have a problem at the post office:fingerscrossed:

I have talked to the lab a little about what I am sending them. They are not sure if they can tell me what it is exactly, but that they can probably match it to something with similar characteristics. We will see..............
 

spankrjs

Scrambler Junkie
Lifetime Member
SOA Member
City
Biloxi
State
MS
Ive heard of alot of people using Automatic trans fluid in the T-5s.

I ran ATF in my red Scrambler, after the first T5, filled with Mopar Manual Transmission Fluid (supposedly a driect replacement for the original AMC "fish oil") had a a cluster gear bearing journal failure. I then proceeded to have two T5's catastrophically fail while running ATF (broke input gear/cluster gear/cracked case).

I really do not think my fluid caused the failures:shrug::twocents:

But, I think this time I will try to use exactly what AMC used:thumbsup:

If they can tell me:fingerscrossed:
 

PetesCj-8

CJ-8 Member
City
slatington
State
pa
I ran ATF in my red Scrambler, after the first T5, filled with Mopar Manual Transmission Fluid (supposedly a driect replacement for the original AMC "fish oil") had a a cluster gear bearing journal failure. I then proceeded to have two T5's catastrophically fail while running ATF (broke input gear/cluster gear/cracked case).

I really do not think my fluid caused the failures:shrug::twocents:

But, I think this time I will try to use exactly what AMC used:thumbsup:

If they can tell me:fingerscrossed:

Yeah , Im not really a big fan of the T-4 /5 or the Sr-4. The only 80s era trans worth a darn is the T-176/7
 
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