79 Chief Golden Eagle

[skyhighZJ]

^^what he said x 2

 

[amcjeepman]

Only thing I would have done different is knock the spindles off and check the "V" seals, bearing for the stub shaft and U Joints while I was that deep.

 

[89wrangler]

Only thing I would have done different is knock the spindles off and check the "V" seals, bearing for the stub shaft and U Joints while I was that deep.

The main reason I didn’t was I didn’t have parts on hand and my goal was to get some road time in it today to see what other quirks arise. I agree they should have been inspected/ replaced. Once I get to where I deem it road worthy, I will pull the rotors to get them turned and inspect the spindles seals and bearings. The good thing about these is you can tear one down in 15 minutes.

 

[amcjeepman]

And this is exactly why i love the original bearing, spindle hub system. Rebuild and serviceability.

 

[89wrangler]

Got rear brakes completed today
New wheel cylinders

New shoes

Had them both done, but didn’t like the passenger side e brake cable as it was too tight and wouldn’t release. Took it back apart and went to the parts pile and had a good one and installed it. Now e brakes work.

Rear shocks were toast, like no resistance at all so found a couple Rancho 5000 in the pile and put them on.

Next was the front steering stabilizer, was as bad as rear shocks. Since I had one laying around, I put it to use.

Took a trip to Ollie’s last night and picked up some seat covers and wipers. Forgot to take pics of seat covers

Had a dim headlight so removed the grill to check ground. Found it was actually a bad bulb after all, so I replaced it.

It was finally time for another test drive. Hit the key, fires right up, down the road I go! WTF only running about 45with high RPMs. Scratching my head figured just turn around and head back to the shop. Turn on a road and get ready to back up to turn around and there is a car coming so I wait. Goes by so I back out in the road, look in mirror and shit, another car, so I stomp it to the floor and it lights up the rear tire, smoke just rolling.. for about 50ft.. lol then it dawns on me... it is in low range! It was definitely a DUH moment! So I signal to pull over to put in high and the guy behind me pulls up beside and rolls down window. Figured he was gonna give me shit for pulling out in front of him, but instead tells me how cool my ride is and how fucking cool that burnout was. Ha Ha!! Told him I was working on it and he said looks good to him..
get back to house and now no power steering?? Open hood and new belt is wrapped around fan. Another damnit moment. I look and found about 4” on the old belt still stuck in pulley, go figure.



Here is a pick of the driveway burnout just for hell of it!

Water pump is dripping so looks like it will be next on the list. Stay tuned!

 

[rodney eppes]

When that chain broke, it really fubared the case! Makes one wonder what caused it.

Chains wear, get loose, might jump a tooth, or just break. When the do, they wrap up in a wad & bust the case!

 

[89wrangler]

Chains wear, get loose, might jump a tooth, or just break. When the do, they wrap up in a wad & bust the case!

That is fact!!

 

[89wrangler]

Fixed the leaking fill tube for gas tank. Ended up cutting off the rusted part and extending the fuel fill line. I went with a more flexible line in order get it where it needed to be. Was a lot easier to work with.

Next was it still wouldn’t start. Damn new fuel pump was not working? Finally said screw it and went and got a electric fuel pump and installed it. Now I have gas to the carb!

Next was the water pump. Pretty normal. I removed the AC compressor for now since it didn’t work.

Old one

Filled it up with water and took it for a test drive. All good! So figured it was time for a longer drive so went to the gas station to fill it up with gas. All good. Stopped by a buddies house for beer. Still good. Runs great, sounds great, trannny shifts good. On way home, brakes get weak.... then brakes go out.. damnit. Thank goodness for up hill roads and manually down shifts and no traffic. Made it home, pop the hood and master cylinder leaking bad.
Guess what is next? I am getting closer! Lol

 

[upnover]

Thanks for update Steve. I'd be willing to bet, anything that has a seal of some sort will need replacing, or a new seal. I'd go ahead and replace the booster too while doing the MC.

 

[rodney eppes]

Did you break a bolt off, next to the bypass hose? I sure Love the AMC design of having the heater hose nipple, Behind the Alternator bracket!

 

[89wrangler]

I went out to change the master cylinder and there was water under the Chief. I was like WTF! Opened the hood and found the small hose going from pump to Tstat cover had a small hole on the back side where the clamp was. Had to undo it, cut about 5/8" off and reinstall it. That was fun trying to plug the hole with a rag on a screwdriver to keep the antifreeze from gushing out while at the same time trimming the hose. But got it repaired and no leak, I hope. Also took the time to undo the heater hoses and blew out the heater core as it did not seem to be circulating very well. Hopefully that will cure it. We shall see.

Did you break a bolt off, next to the bypass hose? I sure Love the AMC design of having the heater hose nipple, Behind the Alternator bracket!

Good eye and nope, it was already broke off. I "thought" about trying to drill it out and re-tap, but figured it wasn't leaking before so it was left for another day, maybe..lol and yes, the alternator bracket and power steering bracket have to be removed.

Thanks for update Steve. I'd be willing to bet, anything that has a seal of some sort will need replacing, or a new seal. I'd go ahead and replace the booster too while doing the MC.

I replaced the master cylinder last night with one I have that was fairly new and now have brakes again. If the booster goes south, I will replace it at that time. Good thing about this is that I am getting some use out of a bunch of parts that were taking up space!

 

[89wrangler]

Little update. Have driven it around 100 miles now and things seems to be good, starts right up, stops good, Tranny shifts good.
There was a lot of debris under the cowl vent so I removed it and cleaned it out.

Picked up some 33/10.50’s so along with those figured I would throw on some old school alumn jeep wheels to replace the ugly wagons. First step was to clean them up. If you have never done this, it really does suck.
Dirty vs clean

Two done two to go...

I am still looking for two more of the wheels if anyone in the area has any. I do have a line on a couple in TN if I can ever get over that way. Hopefully I will have tires mounted by end of week.

 

[89wrangler]

mounted up this evening, getting balanced tomorrow!

 

[89wrangler]

Looking better.

 

[skyhighZJ]

That’s looking noice!

 

[rodney eppes]

Didn't know you had an Extra one. Same color too! Bonus parts!

 

[89wrangler]

Didn't know you had an Extra one. Same color too! Bonus parts!

Ha Ha.... it is not the same color, but there have been parts supplied from it!.

I also changed the oil and filter, air filter, got new new defrost hose so now it works well. Drove it to Lowe’s today to get a fitting to fix water line. I am feeling confident now to drive it to work! Gotta order me some window tracks and felts next and install radio and speakers. With gas prices where they are I can afford to drive it! Lol. Oh and added a little wax to the paint..

 

[89wrangler]

Little update. Had a small leak in the radiator. Checked another one I had, but it really wasn't in much better shape. Did not leak, but tubes inside were pretty gummed up. With the price of a new one vs getting the old ones fixed, I just went with a new aluminum one.

installed

While I had it on the lift and trans lines unhooked, I figured I may a well change the tranny filter and fluid. Was surprisingly clean on the inside.

Next on the list will be new felt tracks for all the windows. The rattle is extremely annoying. Oh and it is now officially tagged and insured so I can drive it legally!

 

[upnover]

With all that bling, you gonna dress up the rest of the engine compartment?
Also, is that some major frame rot I see?

 

[89wrangler]

No more bling in engine area. Probably Gonna have to do a rear main seal and pan gasket down the road. The frame is rock solid with just some surface rust in places. It does have some dried dirt is a few areas too. I think what you are seeing is where some of the undercoating is peeling off. The whole underside between frame rails and under body were undercoated, possibly when new from the looks of it. From what I could find it was bought and lived most if, not all of its life in SC.

 

[rodney eppes]

Until you get some new tracks & felt, a few layers of electrical tape, along the edges of the glass, will help! Did that in a few old trucks, where the boss & mechanic were to cheap to replace the felts. I Hate a Rattle!

 

[89wrangler]

Sagging springs, no spring bushings up front, busted front shock. Ride was terrible and big “clunk” when turning because of missing bushings. May as well get a cheap lift and remedy the issues.
New front springs

new springs installed and all new shocks

before

after

ride is so much better! Now to get A radio For some tunes and the window felts and channel’s ordered to quiet those rattles. Almost every time I take it to town, someone ask me if it is for sale. I tell them not until I get my other 79 chief done. I have four numbers to call when I get ready..lol

 

[89wrangler]

It is tune time. Picked up a cheap blue tooth Sony radio. Out with the old push button radio/CB and in with the new. Also replace all 4 of the speakers with some I had laying around. While I had the radio out, replaced the passenger side defrost hose that was all cracked. Also cleaned and painted the ash tray, now change holder. Thought I was good to go but there was a puddle of fluid when I went the back it out of the shop. Steering box sector shaft seal is leaking...bad. Looks like a trip out back to the parts Jeep.

radio bracket in and new defrost hose

new rear speakers

was missing one of the speaker covers so I grabbed a red one out of parts rig. Threw on some paint

got good tune now.

 

[AdamH]

did the original radio work? if so willing to sell it?

 

[89wrangler]

did the original radio work? if so willing to sell it?

Yes it worked, has all wires, plug connections for power and speakers, antenna splitter and mike for CB as well as dash plug for mike. Make an offer. ( these are hard to find and this is complete). Thanks