The SX/4 money pit

[Smitty]

Looking back, I started this project on 29 April 2005!!  Over 2 years and lots of time and money.  It does have a new interior, "fresh" engine, new front suspension, rebuilt tranny and a whole bunch of little stuff like brake cables etc.  I suppose if Skeezix had not taken ill I would have made more progress on it but it is what it is.  I am picking up the AC recharge kit today and hope to get that done later today.  I still have the B&M shifter to install and the converter won't lock up.  For that it is going to the tranny shop. In 2 years I have driven it 76 miles, all for test drives trying to sort out issues.  Still lots to do but I am looking forward to actually driving this instead of short test drives.  We shall see.

[IowaEagle]

76 miles in two years!  Yes, you need to get that bird on the road!

[Route 66 Rambler]

Beautiful ride... you should be complimented on your perseverance with this project.  Great job!  So here's a laurel, and hearty handshake...

mike

[Smitty]

Well, I thought I was going to drive the pit to work today.  Changed my mind after I could not get the A/C charge to take last night.  I was able to vacuum the system out and have it hold vacuum but could not get the fittings to work on the charging cans.  An all black car is too hot to drive in this weather for me.  Just too old to enjoy dripping sweat.  I did manage to change out the wiper switch and now have full intermittent and 2 speeds.  I also had a problem with how I had reinstalled the stop light switch.  Took some time and figured out my oops and got them working again.

I am hoping to tackle the A/C tonight but the local EMT's are coming to the house for an education on Skeezix's illness and where to find the emergency protocols and living will etc. so I might have to wait until the weekend.  I had hoped to take this one to the Sturbridge show but I want more local drive time before I venture out on a 300  mile round trip.

I do notice that the wagon has a lot more pep than this one.  Of course the wagon has the baja beast cam and a total rebuild to go along with the 2.73 gearing.  The pit has the 2.35 gearing and a 50K mile engine.  It does ride pretty nice but the short wheelbase combined with the coil over shocks gives it a rougher ride. 

Skeezix says I should sell this one and keep the wagon.  We need to pare down the fleet so that we can have room and time for a GMC motorhome.  That will be our next project so that we can get her out of the house with all her medical gear and have her own bed, bath etc as well as the capability to use the equipment any time she needs.  I say this would make a great toad car for the motorhome  .  We shall see. 

[IowaEagle]

Its always something.  Was the fitting bad at the cap end or the compressor end.  I have had issues with both, in the past.  They use really cheap fittings.

[Smitty]

Took the car out for its maiden trip away from home this morning.  28 mile round trip for breakfast and to put some gas in it.  Mixed results, mostly not good.  This one is destined to stay a project car and a money pit.  I had changed the head on it because I had noticed oil around the breather and since I had the manifolds off it was not too big a deal to change to a fresh head that I had.  Did not cure the problem so I think all my oil is staying up top in the engine.  The car drove nice and ran well for most of the trip.  Coming home I have to climb the mountain and then the fun began.  So much oil blew out the breather that the car filled with smoke and there can't be a mosquito left alive in my wake.  Lost most of the power and barely made it to the top and was able to coast most of the rest of the way.  It does not bode well for this engine.  It was supposed to be a low mileage engine but who really knows.  I trust the guy I got it from and he heard it run before the kid pulled it.  Me thinks, however, that it is toasted.  I will do a compression check later today to see what that tells.  might have to call around and see if I can find a decent 4.0 or get the spare 258 short block redone.

Wonder how much scrap metal goes for these days?

[IowaEagle]

DANG!  Let us know what the compression checks are.  I think around here scrap is $60 per ton.

[Gil-SX4]

Since it was smoking on a incline, could it be that the oil is building up on the rear of the head?

[IowaEagle]

That is what I keep thinking too.

[Smitty]

Kinda what i was thinking too but there is no reason for it to be.  The head has been redone so the drain passages are open.  I did not notice anything with the block when I swapped heads.  When I blip the throttle there is blowby out the breather so pressure is getting there somehow.  Since the head should be tight it must be from the crankcase, which means rings.  Have not had a chance to test the compression yet.

[Route 66 Rambler]

Yeah, new head should eliminate the question of valves or seals also.  Probably blow-by from the rings.
mike

[Smitty]

Let the games begin.  I decided that the engine in the car is not worth any more time.  I am picking up a 4.0 this weekend and will go with the EFI too.  Just have to figure a few technical details out.  Others have done it so I will be asking a few questions along the way.  Stay tuned, this could get fun  .

[yellowdog]

Good luck! 

[IowaEagle]

And the pit gets deeper.  What year 4.0?

[Smitty]

92 out of a YJ.  I can always run a carb on it if the wiring is not all there.  I am told it is complete and awaiting the results of a compression test.  Not sure if I am going to use the HESCO CPS relocation or get the correct flexplate and drill out the bellhousing.  Probably the drill since it is less expensive.  Lots more research to do.  There are lots of combinations that could work and differing opinions of what does and does not work.  I hope to keep good records on what works for me.

PS.  I know the motors runs decent.  It may not be perfect but once in and running the car is all set and debugged for the 4.7 stroker