The beginning of my '53 CJ3B project! (Pic heavy)

Bren Gun · 03-09-2008, 08:17 PM

She was just delivered today. Now for the beginning of a multi-year project. Everything needs a good tear down and rebuild. Not sure how much is going to be modified, but I'm planning on keeping her pretty stock.

This is probably the worst part about the body. Its pretty solid all over except for the rear passenger quarter panel which is rusted away.

Spare F-head included to make way for the original. The cylinder head was removed and left apparently outside. It was on the driver's floor and is now a neat looking hunk of rust.

56,000 original miles?

Harrison heater, spare oil bath air cleaner and pile of rust.

Suspect patch panel on driver's side.

The wonderfully rusty paper weight.

Bren Gun · 03-09-2008, 08:37 PM

The tool box that is in pretty good shape, but for the patch panel.

The mess that is the engine compartment.

Here you can see the towel that did so much to protect the cylinders from rust and debris.

Yes, that is a block of wood supporting the hood latch.

The windshield and seat frames are in good shape.

But, I doubt that the glass can be saved.

The little helper who can't wait for it to run.

HighCountry · 03-09-2008, 08:44 PM

Man you are lucky! That is a great project you have there. Those old "survivors" have so much character it literally oozes from them! Please, first thing you do.... Remove those weird lights from the grill!

Wish I lived close enough to lend you a hand...

Bruce

Bren Gun · 03-09-2008, 08:52 PM

Thanks, Bruce. Yeah, those mismatched teardrop turn signals are going soon!

JeepnBlake · 03-09-2008, 10:34 PM

very cool! i'll definitely be watching this build...

Great work with the pics so far keep them coming

bigjoe · 03-10-2008, 11:38 AM

Brendan I hate you!

Looks great man! Too bad your still not in Rosendale I would be over in a heart beat with the other little helpers and a toolbox in hand. Keep us posted. Yes I still hate you, unless you have a lead on another local one for me ya dog! BigJoe

Bren Gun · 03-10-2008, 06:29 PM

Ah, Joe! I wish that you guys were next door. Yeah, its going to be a big project, but at least I have one and soon, two little helpers who will grow into the work. Hey, 'nother baby coming must mean that I need another project!

bigjoe · 03-10-2008, 10:44 PM

Carry on young man carry on. Keep me posted.

SuB8HaVeN · 03-10-2008, 11:49 PM

Nice find, I always keep an eye out for something like that in my area. I went and looked at a 1951 CJ-2A or 3A (couldn't tell for sure, and the windshield frame was missing and no title) today and was expecting to offer about $500 for the heap of rust, but the seller wanted $2000 to take it all away.

It just goes to show how much we should all appreciate finding one of these in good shape. The one I looked at was a lost cause (at least the body was). It's always neat for me seeing an old original Willys restored. But anyways, good find, and good luck. Most of all, have fun!

Bren Gun · 03-13-2008, 07:44 PM

Well, the tear down officially began today. There's nothing like getting your hands dirty to blow off steam and stress. Pretty much everything needs a cleaning, priming, painting, etc... so I started off up front. I removed the seats and they became the base for the pile of parts that came next. The frames look to be in good shape, but I haven't removed the 50 year old stuffing and covers yet. Part of those were already removed and stuffed into the tool box along with old acorns and years worth of mouse nests. Next came the windshield frame and the hood. Then the fenders, which are also in pretty good shape, but need some work. They have some rust and pitting, especially alongside the seams and the passenger's side needs a new hat channel welded in. Then came the front clip and the luckily, completely dry radiator, which is 3 inches in width, if that does anything to solve whether its a 'desert' radiator or stock. Then I began cleaning out the engine bay of old cloth covered 50 year old wiring. Someone had already began randomly, it seems, removing stuff and clipping wires at some point in the past. I say random, because while the oil bath air filter was removed, so were the gas, clutch and brake pedals... At least this stuff was in two large boxes of parts that I got with the jeep. Some of it is salvagable and some isn't. The 6v generator and voltage regulator came out and are going to be replaced with a 12v conversion anyways. Luckily, the spare f head has a 12v alternator already. And last, but not least, the coil and oil filter are in the box now. Next up the gas tank and the misc. engine bay stuff before I get a cherry picker to get the engine out.
Pics? Yep, but the digital camera's card decided that it would rather demand a reformatting rather than download the 40 odd pictures that I took. At least I shot film too, so maybe I'll scan some when I get the film back.

tsujeeper · 03-13-2008, 07:53 PM

I think you might need to run a hone up and down the cylinder walls!

Don't you just love PO's?!

Bren Gun · 03-13-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsujeeper

I think you might need to run a hone up and down the cylinder walls!

Don't you just love PO's?!

Yeah, luckily I have a spare f head that came with the jeep. I'm not even bothering to try to work with that one for the time being.

paulthejeeper · 03-13-2008, 08:44 PM

You got me hooked too... Nice to know there are still some decent "barn teasures" out there...
I'll definately follow your resto and like the others, wish I lived near by to help ya...Good Luck

Rollbar · 03-13-2008, 08:48 PM

A-Men on keeping it stock. Please keep up the updates.

bigjoe · 03-13-2008, 10:43 PM

Still hate you Brendan

Are you going to rebuild the "good" engine yourself or send out?
Note: Found a Flattie near the house in Modena!!!! Will check on it this week coming up.

03-13-2008, 07:53 PM	#11
tsujeeper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Indy,IN Posts: 257 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I think you might need to run a hone up and down the cylinder walls! Don't you just love PO's?!