Well, probably my last weekend working on Josh's Scrambler. Plan on bringing it back next weekend, since Valentines Day is this weekend.
Was able to knock out some tasks, it is now a reliable driver.
This Scrambler had a bad "flat spot" right off idle if you accelerated hard. Before making any other adjustments, I moved the accelerator pump level from the top hole to the third hole:
This brings on the pumps squirt faster, got rid of the flat spot. Well, mostly. Every once in awhile a slight "dead spot" happens, but not often. I am going to change the fuel filter first, then check the float level. I wanted to stay out of the carb, but might have to go inside, we will see.
I checked the timing, it was around 8-10 degrees, so did not mess with that. I set the idle speed to 650, with the transmission in drive, idles great. Idle jumps up to around 800 when in park or drive. I might slow the "in drive" idle down a hair bit more, but it is pretty happy where it is. Biggest adjustment, the air/fuel mixture screws. This thing was running with both screws out 4.5 turns!!!! Very rich. i turned the screws in all the way, then both out 2 turns. With a vacuum gauge hooked up, they are both turned in around between 2 and 1.5 turns, holding 25in of vacuum. Runs much better, and the cat doesn't stink anymore.
After these minor adjustments, this thing is really fun to drive!!!!!!!!! Well, for a 258/Motorcraft carb/auto trans/2.72 axle gears/p-235 tires. Before, it would barely hold 65mph, and it stunk, poor acceleration. Now, it will easily hit 80mph, and the acceleration is brisk. Very "fun" to drive, if that makes sense. I have drove it probably around 200 miles, it is running great. I drove it on the interstate for several 20 mile trips, it runs at 70-75 just fine. So, very happy about that. The cat was really stinking before, but with a better air/fuel mixture, it doesn't stink anymore. I know we all bad mouth the 2.72 gears, myself included, but with an automatic transmission and stock sized tires, this thing is fun to drive.
Well, now that I was driving it more, I noticed how bad the glass was. All the glass had a bad "haze". Turns out, it was paint over spray!!!!!!!!!! Normal glass cleaner wouldn't remove it, so I broke out an arsenal of products:
I had to first clay bar all the glass, inside and out. Next, wiped what was left off with Acetone, followed by the Invisible Glass cleaner stuff. Now, I can see. I also clay barred the hood, it had a bunch of rough spots/trash, then polished it out with the 3M stuff. Now, it looks much better, and I can see!!!!!!!!!! Quick picture:
I also plugged all the floor board holes with plastic plugs purchased at Lowes: 1" for drain holes, 1/2" for side step mounting holes, 5/8" for the AC hole in the transmission hump. Cut down on drafts big time.
And, I finally finished up the the column mounted gear indicator install.
I cut/filed the nub that was present down:
This allowed the needle to sit further back in the column, so it now no longer is jammed up hard against the indicator. The needle still slightly rubs the indicator with the column tilted all the way up, but this is about as good as it gets. I could notch the needle, but that would weaken it. So, I am going to call this little project done. Pictures:
And, finally installed a horn button. I know it is not the "correct button", but a $20 Cherokee button will work in a pinch. I know it is a little thing, but I was tired of looking at the horn contact ring/steering wheel nut stuff, and I was shocking myself every time i hit the horn LOL!!!!!!!!!
I might "tinker" with a few other odds and ends on this one between now and next weekend, but for all intents and purposes, I am finished with this one. It still has a few odds and ends to sort out, and is missing a bunch of easily bolted on stuff, but its time for this one to go back to Josh. It is a Jeep, so it will "never be finished", but this one is in a good state, is reliable, and is ready to be enjoyed by its owner.
I think it will be leaving me in better shape then when it arrived.
I plan on driving this one a bunch over the next 2 weeks, make sure nothing falls apart, so far so good. I am confident enough in it to drive it to work, if that says anything.
One last picture for now, at the office parking lot:
That's it for now.
