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.

 

[scrambler4315]

I think we can all relate to the love/hate relationships we have with our beloved Scramblers. I have been trying to get this rear main seal out. It. Is. Not. Moving. I have tried a brass punch, that got bent. I tried a steel punch, very carefully, and nothing. I have tried turning the crank, no bueno. I have tried loosening the other bearing caps, nada. I even tried an old oil dipstick to wedge between the block and the seal, bupkis. I finally ordered a "Sneaky Pete" seal removal tool. If that doesn't work, I'm going to have to pull the crank. If I have to pull the crank, I'm replacing the bottom end bearings while I'm in there, and of course since I'll have to pull the trans and the t-case, a new clutch will be in order. It needs to be replaced as its losing oil as bad as the Exxon Valdez, and coating the underside of everything with used motor oil, along with staining my concrete pad. . . . But with all the banging, prying, pushing, twisting, and cussing, now it absolutely needs replaced as it will leak far worse if I don't.
*deep breath* I love my 8, I love my 8, I love my 8 *breathe out*
Ok, better. Now I just have to wait for the damn tool to get here so I can take another swing at it.
Oh, any suggestions that I have not tried, I am absolutely open to trying just about anything, except maybe C4 or Tannerite.

 

[spankrjs]

I just did this last year on the 4.0 in my red Scrambler. Only advise, really loosen up the other main bearing caps, like a few turns each. I did that, mine came out relatively easy.

 

[scrambler4315]

I tried that, they are all quite loose. The upper seal is not moving, I have buggered it up so it is at the point it has to be done now. I ordered the tool, but I just need to wait for it. On to other projects. I still have to install my oil pressure gauge, my new clock spring/turn signal switch, and new headlight switch. Plus I have to install a fuel pressure regulator in my Victory HighBall so I can get her running again. So, I do what I can and wait for the tool.

 

[bigwalton]

I remember how much I dreaded tackling that job due to threads like this. No advice that you haven’t already tried, good luck.