79 CJ 5 rebuild

JakeRod

JakeRod

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I just purchased a cj5. It has a 304 v8 that has seen better days. I have around $2500 to put into it. Any ideas where i should start.

Thanks
 
what year??
 
whats wrong with the engine?

How is the suspension?

Tire size?

What do you want to do with it? Crawl rocks, run mud, easy trail riding, mall crawl.

Giv all the info you can so that myself & others can help you more.

Post up some pics!!
 
79 CJ

All i want it for is easy trail riding. The engine runs ok, I just want it rebuilt so i will feel better about driving to work or to the beach without breaking down. Does anyone know a good mechanic around the triad region of NC that rebuilds 304s?

Engine 304
Trans T-18
Tires 33''
Susp. 3 inch black diamond.
 
If it don't knock & don't smoke, tune it up & run the hell out of it.
How is the oil pressure when it's hot & idling?

Does it start well, or does it have a miss fire?

Does the carb. seem to operate well?

I would put fresh fluids in everything.

check all the suspension for loose hardware or worn parts tie rod ends, ball joints, all moving parts etc. Make sure the seat belts are in good shape & the roll bar isn't rusted out.

Go to Uwharrie with somebody (never wheel alone!) & have fun.
 
Thanks

Thanks for the info Jeff. I think i am going to take it to a mechanic and get him to check out the engine and repair if needed. The rest of the jeep is in pretty good shape from what i can tell. I will put some pics up tomorrow.

Thanks
 
I can recommend this shop:

C & S Automotive
4672 Old Belews Creek Rd
Winston Salem, NC 27101
(336) 723-1510

A.C. is the owner & will / can fix almost anything with a motor. Their speciality is Mustangs (restoration & performance). They've done right by us -- worked on our YJ, CJ & WJ with great results each time.
 
I had a 77 CJ once that had a tired, knocking 304. I rebuilt the motor myself, had the machine work done at a shop of course. If I was to do it again today, I would look for a good donor motor instead of doing the rebuild. It ended up costing me much more than I wanted to spend and more than you can buy a decent donor motor for. Just my experience.
 
I agree with JC. My buddy rebuilt his 401 and had enough in it to buy an ls1. I bought a complete running 360 for 100.00. I rebuilt the carb and added tfi ignition and it runs great. Best 100 ive ever spent.
 
your typical mechanic isn't going to know much about "upgrades" to a 304. For one in Winston that does know, contact Brian at the Shell station on the north end of Reynolda, right across the street from Linebach Machinery. At least he use to work there. A regular mechanic is going to replace with stock parts, where as there's plenty that you can go on the cheap that is much better than the stock parts replacement. Brian is a Jeep guy and is actually on this board from time to time.

as for what to do, I'd honestly say, save you money, buy a Haynes and a Chiltons manual, a carb rebuild kit, new ignition parts, I suggest the Ford TFI, GM 4 pin module set-up. that's the set up I run on my 304 and love it. As mentioned, check/swap all the fluids, check the brakes and run it. and do it yourself, these Jeeps are stooooopid to work on and hey, you may learn a thing or two while keeping some money for yourself.

I've got a '78 cj5 with the a T-18, so pretty much the same set-up, sounds like you got a Jeep to start with.... now post picts! :beer:
 
mbalbritton said:
For one in Winston that does know, contact Brian at the Shell station on the north end of Reynolda, right across the street from Linebach Machinery. At least he use to work there.
Click to expand...

It's Old Town Shell and Brian was there last week when i had some tires swapped... talked to him & Bobby for a bit while I waited. OTOH, he seems to be taking Brent's route and taking forever to get his junk built! :lol:

What's wrong with your 304? Not running good or blowing/burning/using oil? Or something else? Not sure where in W-S you are, but if you like a second opinion on your motor, LMK! (I'm out Reynolda near Bethania)

I was in the same position 6 years ago... 304 was worn slap out (1qt. of motor oil for every 30 miles or 30 minutes running = rotated the plugs in a couple cylinders as they fowled). As dropping a 360 in *would* have been cheap(er) and more power, finding a flexplate my TH400 (QT crap won't fit) was a pain. I ended up buying a fairly fresh rebuilt 304 from a bud of Spraypaintdude (back when Noah had a real Jeep :flipoff2: ) for $400. Put in some seals & gaskets before dropping it in... ^^Brent^^ & Patrick (RIP) came out to Mocksville (uncles shop with 2post lift) and gave me hand with it. :beer:

Had some issues over the years (burnt valve seats = induction harden from the factory) and the usual oil leaks, but it continues to run pretty strong after some stout abuse. While the 2100 continues to be the simplest/best running carb there is short of FI, I'd love to drop a homegrown FI in the Moss just for S&Gs.

If I had to do over again (I'm NOT a "puriest"), I'd likely NOT go the SBC route, but drop in either a 4.xL stroker or 4L HO with FI...
 
My Bossman has sent his '59 Edsel to Jackson Auto Works, and with good results, that's all I know.
My friend has taken his '93 YJ to Jeep Medic on Peter's Creek Pkwy, and helped him on a couple of issuses, with positive results, but again that's all I know, maybe some more locals can chime in on J M.
I would love to peek at the CJ5, I'm on the southside off Hwy 109/Thomasville Rd area, but will travel the area.
Later, T.J.
 
Back
Top