Overland XJ Build. Not my first Rodeo.....(video included)

[Overland History]

Well, the XJ is undergoing surgery for the next week or two around school and work. I cashed in a couple of favors with the race team that I used to work for in exchange that I do a little bit of work to their Lamborghini's.

Here are a few pics of what's sitting dormant in the stable while Race season is in hibernation:

Known as "The Joker", raced and built by a Porsche mechanic that I used to work for...





The initial facility, Lambo's in the background...





An E46 M3 that we built a few years ago. Very fast and competitive car!




3 of the 4 Lambo's we ran in the Super Trofeo Series...






There's a sweetie pie hiding in the dark showroom....

 

[Overland History]

Yup, thats an all original, first of the breed E28 BMW M5, which I think has only 86k miles on it, but I'll have to look. Tan interior and Euro Bumpers. Try finding one for sale. I dare you!




The 2 BMW 128s are IMSA ST cars that we ran the hell out of all over the U.S. They've got some hot rod motors in them built by a few guys down in North Carolina.




Then we have the IMSA GS Sunoco Camaro, my gawd this car is quick! The same guys that's built the BMW motors in NC did the motor(s) for this car.






Last but not least, is the Porsche 997 Liqui-Moly #20. Stunningly beautiful

 

[Overland History]

Aside from all of those shenanigans, the XJ gets to spend some time on the lift over the next week or two...









The priorities to get done on the XJ over the next couple of weeks are:

Well, basically re-seal the entire engine and re-torque all of the main bolts while I'm in there. I told you I was anal

All of the parts that I've got sitting and ready to go in:

-Higher volume oil pump
-Oil Pan Seal
-Rear main seal
-Front crank seal
-Timing chain and guide
-Oil filter neck O-rings(both of them)
-Valve Cover Gasket
-CSF 3-Core Radiator Upgrade(the pass. side tank on my stock one is cracked)
-Fuel pump, as my current one is gonna die soon....
-Torque all of my suspension bolts after recently adding the lift and checking for play in any bushings.

Pics to come!

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

Oh man, what a stable. Nice place to work on your own stuff too.

 

[iluv83vettes]

For the replacement radiator, check out the MOPAR HD unit. Keeps mine nice and cool in Houston. I have seen quite a few of the CSF radiators start leaking within a year.

One seal I didn't see on your list is the distributor seal. That one usually leaks as well. It is probably the cheapest of the seals to replace and the only "difficult" part is getting the engine to TDC and making sure you align the distributor correctly when reinstalling it.

 

[Overland History]

For the replacement radiator, check out the MOPAR HD unit. Keeps mine nice and cool in Houston. I have seen quite a few of the CSF radiators start leaking within a year.

One seal I didn't see on your list is the distributor seal. That one usually leaks as well. It is probably the cheapest of the seals to replace and the only "difficult" part is getting the engine to TDC and making sure you align the distributor correctly when reinstalling it.

I did read a few issues with the CSF, but I also read a lot more issues with the all aluminum radiators out there. I'll look into the Mopar HD though, thank you!

When I replaced the distributor a couple of months ago(I think it's on page 2 of this thread), it came with a brand new seal which I installed. Good eye, though!

 

[F40]

I agree with using the Factory Mopar HD rad (52080104AC). Having used the. CSF, GDI, Champion, this has been the best. I think I paid $330 for mine.

 

[stoicalpear]

Looks really good! Got to love the old jeep oil leaks and such...

 

[Overland History]

I agree with using the Factory Mopar HD rad (52080104AC). Having used the. CSF, GDI, Champion, this has been the best. I think I paid $330 for mine.

Well, after doing some more reading, I think you guys are right about the Mopar HD. I sent the CSF back today and have the Mopar HD on order from www.RockAuto.com for $285 shipped with an online discount they sent me. I paid $215 shipped for the CSF. I'm perfectly fine with the price difference if the unit gives me no problems. Thanks fellas!

 

[Overland History]

I was able to make just a little progress on the XJ today at the shop. Excluding the crank pulley(I'm borrowing the puller from a buddy this weekend), ive gotten the old radiator removed and the front dressing of the motor removed to be able to start on the timing chain replacement. The front of the motor is filthy, so I'll be cleaning it well before popping the timing cover off to avoid dirt/grime making its way inside.

 

[F40]

Are you going to put your Jeep on the corner balancing scales in that photo? I have access to the same set and have wanted to weigh mine.

 

[Overland History]

Are you going to put your Jeep on the corner balancing scales in that photo? I have access to the same set and have wanted to weigh mine.

Considering all of the shenanigans that went on in the shop(which includes airsoft gun fights, firecrackers and burnout contests in the back alley), there's no doubt the XJ will go on the scales. Hell, I might even throw some racing slicks on it to see how well it handles.

The most hilarious prank that we ever pulled was stupid as hell, but we had the Team Principal going for WEEKS!! :clapping:

We bought a remote controlled doorbell that does the typical *ding dong* and modified it to make it only go *ding*. It sounded just like when you hit too many buttons on your computer all at once. Well, we hid the unit up inside the ceiling tile of Team Principal's office just above his desk and computer. Whenever he was typing up something, we'd hit the bell every few minutes. He used to get soooooo pissed at the computer for absolutely no reason! :********: He even took it to have it looked at! :********:

Once he gave up on trying to get it fixed, we installed it inside the driver's door of one of our F550 tow rigs that he was driving to Sebring, Florida dragging the BMW's down for the March race. I rode with him in the rig and hit the bell roughly every 150miles the whole way down. :********: He asked me, "why the hell cant I get away from that damn sound?" I shrugged and did my best not to pee my pants laughing.

Good times!

 

[Overland History]

Well, it's about time for an update, as I've made some pretty good progress on the XJ while in the shop.

I've managed to get my D35 rear axle with a Lockright and 4.10's prepped and ready for install, excluding the brakes.

Since this axle is out of an '86 XJ, I decided the safest bet would be to do all new brake hardware, including Wheel Cylinders and new brake lines.

New wheel cylinders...




I bought new brake line in length and cut it down, and used a brake line bender as well as a double flare tool to get them bent correctly and down to the correct length....






Bent to fit on the driver's side axle tube, enough to clear the U-bolts once they're installed...




I removed the bracket that holds the pass. side brake line to the tube and sealed up the bolts that run into the tube with RTV to assure no water/dirt enters the axle...








Also got my diff. cover cleaned up and painted....

 

[Overland History]

Anyways, moving back to the priorities, I decided to knock out the fuel pump replacement before really digging into the motor.

I pulled the pump assembly/sender unit out of the tank.




The old pump and sock.....




Swapped the new pump onto the assembly....




Before reinstallation, it's important to prep the seal surface to insure a good seal....




As you can see, the old fuel lines are likely original to the XJ, so those got replaced with some brand new 3/8in fuel hose from the local parts house...




New fuel lines and I also decided to replace the tank O-ring and retainer ring while I was in there. They're pictured on the assembly...




Installed with a new fuel filter, since I didn't know the age of the existing one.....

 

[Overland History]

As mentioned before, I got the dressing on the motor removed enough to be able to slap the puller on the Crankshaft pulley to pull it and the cover to replace the timing chain.

I had the pull the front bumper off to get an impact gun on the main pulley bolt. You can see the pulley peaking out from the middle oval in the front crossmember.




Bolt came out with ease.....




On goes the puller....






The key that's cut into the pulley(keeps it from spinning freely on the crankshaft) has a little gunk in it, so that got picked and cleaned out....