Repairs/modifications that aren't by the book, but worked anyways

[89 MJ]

I'm sure most of us at some point have done something that isn't quite the right way to do something, but it worked anyways. Let's hear some of those stories. Not so we can try them, but more for an entertainment factor.
 

I have a few from the engine and transfer case swap in the Eagle.
 

First, when we disassembled the engine, the valves looked like the surface of the moon with pitting and carbon. We put each valve in the drill press and used a rice cake wheel on a grinder to clean the carbon off. To get the mating surface of the valves smooth, we pinched a piece of sandpaper (first 180, then 320) between the seat and the valve and held it still, then turned the valve with a drill. For the seats, we stuck a piece of sandpaper (180, then 320 again) to the valve, then spun it in the seats. Valve lapping compound was used to finish it up. Filling the combustion chamber with water, then using compressed air in the intake/exhaust ports looked like a jacuzzi before this highly scientific valve job. Afterwards it was sealed almost perfectly.


Next up was the transfer case swap. I needed a longer driveshaft and was supposed to go wheeling in a couple of days. We ended up cutting an original Eagle driveshaft for the compressing part and welding it to another unknown driveshaft that we had. We did do it correctly by making sure the lines were absolutely straight and used the complete end of the Eagle shaft with the sliding part and used a dial indicator to get it straighter than AMC did from the factory. We even reused whatever u joints were in the driveshafts. Somehow it has been working perfectly for a couple thousand miles.


I guess sometimes its better to be lucky than it is to be good.