New to old CJs

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=auto+machine+shops+in+boise,+idaho&btnG=Google+Search

 

I'm a little partial to the bumper!

 

I know there are machine shops around me but I don't know how to pick a good one that I can trust to do the job right.

 

Talk to the racers in your area and tell them what your looking for they can usually make suggestionsw, the auto machine shop should be Clean if not, Leave, I can't stress this enough. Ask questions and see what they suggest, if they start suggestting stuff thats gonna cost a bucket load of money, like roller rockers and such, they're probably blowing smoke, walk away. Ask if they are familiar with Buick v6 motors. When you decide on what to do don't take the motor up there complete. Alot of shops will cut corners by reusing crap over, this way they can only use what you supplied from the kit.
The Buicks oiling system is its weak point, that and the timing chains, but that is due to the oddfire motor. If they are familiar with these motors they will probably know this. This is someplace that an extra $100 will usually pay for itself down the road.

 

welcome to the page. i think i would rather had opted for the new jeep payments as opposed too all the damn money i have sunk into my "inheritance" from my dad. this damn 68 with the buick v-6 sucks everything i have..but its kewl to drive it and have everyone wave at ya and point (i dunno if they were pointing at me or the jeep) =)

anyway, the best way to convert steering is to find a 72-75 cj5 or cj7 narrow track and take the front axle brake to break. then weld a GM steering box up front and get the steering rod, thats what i have for mine (this will also change the front gears so now you wont have to worry about the front gears..just the back ones.)
the Od is nice..wish i had one on my jeep, then i could run the 5.38's and my 33" (which of course would give me nas-T crawl ratio with the SM-420) and be set.
the tranny swap might not be good. the 3 speed is kewl. i enjoy mine, but need the lower rock gears. what do you use it for?

i would deffinatly upgrade from that ol dana 25/27 front end tho to an open knuckle dana 30.
easy way to tell oddfire or even fire v-6 is the distributor. if it looks like a v-8 with 2 nubs cut off and only 6 wires, then its an oddfire...if it looks like a nice ring of 6 evenly spaced wires, then its an even fire. someone might have put an even fire in there at one time to upgrade and there is nothing wrong with it. actually, there are more parts available for an even than an oddfire and they run hella smooth in comparison. mine vibrates so bad i cant see out my mirrors at idle (actually, since they rusted off, i cant see out them anyway, but thats beside the point).

what is it you wanna do with this jeep and we can help you more. be honest with yourself in your evaluation too. mostly street? mostly dirt? some snow? some rock? some parked cars? a few curbs and the neighbors fence?
we can deffinatly help you more when we know the direction you wanna take that vintage thing..
and who said we dont have payments? autozone accepts my check once a month....=)

 

........looks like a nice Boise mormon girl on mission...........

 

greetings from Boise, glad to see another local on this forum, If I can help you with anything let me know? Also send you a pm.

 

Welcome from IN. I spent about $1100 on the :v6: rebuild. However HALF was for a "mild" camshaft. I recommend finding a "FLAPS" (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store) where they still now how to look up parts in the books (vs. comp). Also get the factory manual (covers 1960-71).

 

welcome from san antonio

 

Welcome from middle TN.

Now the fun really starts.
Rebuilding it is the best way to learn the Jeep.

 

I can't improve on what's been said already, but Welcome from Portland, OR! Nice Jeep, and nice legs on the Jeep too! My Wife is from the SE corner of Idaho, large metropolis of Pingree. Down around Blackfoot/Pocatello area. We go through Boise several times a year. Keep wanting to hook up with you Idaho folks but time or weather always seems to be against us. Nickmil.

 

She had legs? I didn't notice

 

Well looks like I'm going to be replacing my brakes sooner. The Jeep is now going into my garage were it will stay until it is safe to drive. This morning the brakes gave out (not sure why yet) and I nearly went rolling into oncoming traffic. I ran into a curb to get it to stop. I ended up driving around the area where it happened and the brakes were working but not very good. I still have to drive it home and then it will stay there while I work on it. Scaring morning.

 

Someone posted that it would be cheaper to make payments on a newer jeep. That is pretty accurate.

You sorta described an 82 - 86 CJ-7 in what you want your jeep to be.

 

Welcome from Havasu, and another cigar smoker.8)

 

Yes, cigars good! Let me know if you need any help cleaning out the humidor.

 

Truer words have never been spoken. I am new to Jeeps but not new to old vehicles. They aren't cheaper.

What about the overdrive feels unsafe? Is it just the squirrliness of the Jeep as you are approaching freeway speeds like mine?