Project: Rowena, '81 renovation.

[scrambler4315]

I am calling this project a renovation, not a restoration. I have no plans to make Rowena a stock, factory original, nor a resto-mod build. She is going to be renovated to get her back to her potential so the wife and I can use the Jeep for our around town, and maybe some out of town adventures.
List of projects I have currently completed. I will, over the next few days, do a writeup of everything I have done, with all the bumps and detours, and start trying to document the projects yet to be done, with photos if I don't forget to take them.
- Painless wiring harness
- D.U.I. H.E.I. distributor.
- SpeedHut speedometer
- Replacing/repairing vent cables, dash switches, and other little things.
List of projects in the works (have parts or am in the process of getting parts for)
- Rear main seal
- SpeedHut oil pressure gauge
-HVAC refresh (heater core, heater fan, water pump, thermostat, ducting)
- Toyota headlight upgrade
List of work that will be getting done, eventually.
- Exhaust, head pipe, muffler, cat, tail so I can get her to pass a smog check to lose the "Classic" plates
- Water pump, thermostat, and hooking back into the heater core.
- SpeedHut volt meter.
- 33" tires with different wheels

 

[scrambler4315]

The first order of business when I first got the Jeep, back in July of 25, was to give her the once over and see what was wrong and what was right. For everything wrong, I looked for something right. 3 speed trans and D20 t-case (wrong), full steel body, bumper to bumper (right) I could go on, but I'm sure you don't want me to bore you to death with all of it. At the end of the look over, I ended up with a pretty long list of "needs fixed". And I have barely scratched the surface in getting them done. Once I prioritized the list, I got to work getting what I needed. the first big upgrade, a Painless wiring harness. That was a project. I hate wiring and so I took my sweet time getting it installed correctly. The biggest thing I came away with on that kit, look at the parts on the Jeep like the starter solenoid, it may be different than what is in the instructions. A few mis-steps in the install, but once I got those ironed out, things worked that didn't before, she didn't stall when I turned lights on or hit the brakes anymore. I drove her around the neighborhood and realized that the speedometer, fuel, and temp gauges didn't work.

Next step, SpeedHut gauge. Thankfully they were on sale when I ordered mine, saved about $130. The install of that was a little rough. I had to do some digging to make sure I was installing the wires correctly. Once installed and tied in properly, I had 3 functioning gauges and a speedometer that actually works and stays steady, no more CJ Speedo bounce! Around the same time, a DUI HEI distributor was in order. That install had its own pitfalls. Word to the wise, a 38/38 carb only needs about 2.5 to 3.5 psi fuel pressure to run, somehow I had mine cranked up to 4.5. Fixed that and was able to get the distributor set pretty good. She ran really good since. However, now that I was driving her, she marks her territory a lot. I have a feeling that the rear main was not installed properly as she leaks a lot. I drained the oil pan to get this job done and took less than 4 quarts out, at least that is what it looks like.

The rear main seal has its own issues, I have been hammering on the seal for the last 2 days and it won't budge. I took all the bearing caps loose and still no movement. I have a sinking feeling that I may have to pull the crank to get the seal out. If I have to do that, she's getting a new clutch sooner rather than later.

As for upcoming upgrades. I have the SpeedHut oil pressure gauge to install and the Toyota headlights to work on as well. I have an odd issue that when I put the turn signals on, both rears flash but only the correct front light blinks. I have a feeling it is in the switch itself, as when I test right at the switch, it powers both rear lights no matter what direction is selected. New switch is en route. The dimmer on the headlight switch isn't working, I have no power to the dash lights at all. Also, new switch is en route. I have a lot of work to do, and know that, in time, this 8 is going to shine, I just need to get her there.