68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

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44bz
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 44bz »

So I decided to tackle my rear wheel bearings today. The seals were getting bad as I noticed oil leaking down the backing plate on the passenger side.

Off comes the drum and hub.
Image

Icky
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Stripped down:
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I rented a slide hammer from autozone but they didn't have the right attachments for the tapered shaft. I read something about putting a wrench behind the castle nut and whacking it with a mallet so I gave that a try. Except I grabbed the wrench and the shaft slid right out!
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I had new timken bearings pressed on at my local shop for $10. Some PO mixed up the order of shims, retainer, backing plate, grease shield, dust shield, and also traded gaskets for gobs of silicone so that was fun. The passenger side is done but I still need to do the brakes.


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1968 J2000 - AMC 327/T18/D20 (twin stick), stock D44s, 3" body lift, 35x12.50 Goodyear MTRs w/ Kevlar
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44bz
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 44bz »

The Jtruck is running like a completely different animal! In the best of ways...

I pulled the Holley TA470 and replaced it with a Holley 80457 aluminum 4bbl, 600cfm and what a difference! The TA is all I've ever run on this truck so I didn't have much to compare to. I was plagued with high idle (around 900-1000rpm) and bogging on acceleration, neither of which I could resolve.

I finally bolted on the new carb tonight. It ran a little rough at first, but smoothed out and once the choke came off I was able to dial it in at 550 rpm. I've honestly never heard this motor idle so perfectly smooth. Took it for a drive and was able to accelerate without any hesitation. It's like driving a new truck! Best day in a long time for the JImage
Image


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1968 J2000 - AMC 327/T18/D20 (twin stick), stock D44s, 3" body lift, 35x12.50 Goodyear MTRs w/ Kevlar
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66stepside
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 66stepside »

Whoa, that 327 has me jealous! Looking good.

If you had to to it all over again, would you have kept the 327, or opted for something else in the engine bay?


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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

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66stepside wrote:Whoa, that 327 has me jealous! Looking good.

If you had to to it all over again, would you have kept the 327, or opted for something else in the engine bay?


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Thanks! I haven't driven anything else to really know what I have or what I'm missing. However, I've really enjoyed working on this motor and it seems to have plenty of power. I think it's a good looking motor too, if that makes sense. The other thing is that I had no idea what I was getting into, this being my first fsj. All that to say, I'd buy another 327 powered fsj in a heartbeat Image


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1968 J2000 - AMC 327/T18/D20 (twin stick), stock D44s, 3" body lift, 35x12.50 Goodyear MTRs w/ Kevlar
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66stepside
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 66stepside »

44bz wrote:
66stepside wrote:Whoa, that 327 has me jealous! Looking good.

If you had to to it all over again, would you have kept the 327, or opted for something else in the engine bay?


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Thanks! I haven't driven anything else to really know what I have or what I'm missing. However, I've really enjoyed working on this motor and it seems to have plenty of power. I think it's a good looking motor too, if that makes sense. The other thing is that I had no idea what I was getting into, this being my first fsj. All that to say, I'd buy another 327 powered fsj in a heartbeat Image


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Good to know. Mine was 327 to being with. I miss it- plenty strong, good torque, and decent gas mileage. Yours looks great!


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44bz
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 44bz »

66stepside wrote:
44bz wrote:
66stepside wrote:Whoa, that 327 has me jealous! Looking good.

If you had to to it all over again, would you have kept the 327, or opted for something else in the engine bay?


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Thanks! I haven't driven anything else to really know what I have or what I'm missing. However, I've really enjoyed working on this motor and it seems to have plenty of power. I think it's a good looking motor too, if that makes sense. The other thing is that I had no idea what I was getting into, this being my first fsj. All that to say, I'd buy another 327 powered fsj in a heartbeat Image


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Good to know. Mine was 327 to being with. I miss it- plenty strong, good torque, and decent gas mileage. Yours looks great!


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How do you like the 401? I know everyone covets them. They pop up around here every one in awhile and I've considered going that route when this motor quits. I've been watching a complete 401 on Craigslist for $850 but I don't need a motor right now so o haven't been real serious.


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1968 J2000 - AMC 327/T18/D20 (twin stick), stock D44s, 3" body lift, 35x12.50 Goodyear MTRs w/ Kevlar
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66stepside
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68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 66stepside »

To be bunt, it's a love-hate relationship.
I love the cool factor being off the scale, it pulls whatever I need to pull with the T-18 behind it, and it's stout as hell, BUT the hate part is the gas mileage. Hahaha. So there's more pros than cons.
Everytime someone asks, "hey, are you running a Chevy motor?", or "Does it have the 360?" It's cool to watch their expression change when I say, "No, I swapped in the 401."

All in all, though, I did love that 327. But at the time it was super hard to find parts. I kept braking exhaust manifolds on the driver's side- even after replacing all the motor and tranny mounts. It was weird. I took it to the muffler shop and had them double check the layout of the Exhaust for binding, but nothing. After the third manifold went, I was looking for something else. Being deadlined was no fun. I think this was back in 97, or 98.

The 65 Super I just snagged had the 327, so I'm in the market for one, if I can find a runner. If not, then I'll swap in a GM Vortec 4.3, or 5.0.

How much do you have into your 327, if you don't mind me asking?

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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

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What gear ratio are you running in your truck? That's what I'm looking at next.

Weird about your 327 manifolds, I haven't had that issue. I have spares tho just in case, including an nos driver side from a rambler.

I'm not very good at keeping track of jeep expenses, less depressing that way I guess. The current 327 was a runner I pulled from a 66 wag for $200. It came with a 4bbl intake which I sold for $150 because I already had one so that worked out nicely. But I've basically left it alone. I put a timing set in it, pertronix kit, carburetors were probably the biggest expense.

It's definitely wise to stockpile spare parts tho because some things are hard to find and I've had to rob parts from my spare 327 more than once.

I did have a cam ground for it but haven't installed it. Maybe this summer.


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1968 J2000 - AMC 327/T18/D20 (twin stick), stock D44s, 3" body lift, 35x12.50 Goodyear MTRs w/ Kevlar
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Kaiserman
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by Kaiserman »

That is a clean looking 327. Does your D44 have the grease fittings on the axle tube just behind the backing plates? I know some people pump them full and that can blow out the seals. Nice to be able to give your rear wheel bearings a shot or two of grease now and again though.
1971 J2500 Gladiator Custom-Cab Platform Stake on 126" wb. B350/T18A/D20 D60/D60-3 w/locker 4.10's Ramsey 8klb PTO winch, Day-brook dump. 225/95R16's
1969 J3800 Gladiator 3407Z Camper Truck. B350/T18A/D20 D44/D60-3 w/4.10's
1968 Wagoneer Custom 327/TH400 Mostly Stock
1987 Cherokee Laredo 2-Door 4.0L/AW4 4" lift OEM swing out tire carrier and brushguard
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44bz
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 44bz »

Kaiserman wrote:That is a clean looking 327. Does your D44 have the grease fittings on the axle tube just behind the backing plates? I know some people pump them full and that can blow out the seals. Nice to be able to give your rear wheel bearings a shot or two of grease now and again though.
It does. I've never put grease in them tho. I'm not sure I really noticed them prior to you mentioning it just now. I didn't see anything in the tsm about it. What do you recommend as far as frequency/amount for greasing them?


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tara
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by tara »

It is what happened to me pump too mich grease and blow the seals
You need little grease once a while i guss no more
Jeep Wagoneer 1965 4dr 327

Herk
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by Herk »

There should be a 3/32 hole on the top of the axle tube bearing grease chamber. Must clear this hole before greasing to prevent over doing it and blowing grease past the seals.

bowtieman55
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by bowtieman55 »

Thank you SO much for this thread and for being so thorough. This is surely going to help me along as I revive a '66 J3000.
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44bz
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

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bowtieman55 wrote:Thank you SO much for this thread and for being so thorough. This is surely going to help me along as I revive a '66 J3000.
I'm glad if my experiences can be useful to someone elseImage


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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by tara »

hello
what is the black round plastic thing (next to the horns) connected to the vacuum hose ?
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Jeep Wagoneer 1965 4dr 327
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44bz
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

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tara wrote:hello
what is the black round plastic thing (next to the horns) connected to the vacuum hose ?
//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201706 ... f9336a.jpg
If you mean on the wheel well, it's just a vacuum ball. The original one was crack so I replaced it with what you see. There's a small hose that goes from the ball, through the firewall and connects to something under the dash but I haven't traced it. Maybe to the heater controls? I don't remember.


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tara
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by tara »

what is the use of this vacuum ball ?
Jeep Wagoneer 1965 4dr 327
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44bz
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 44bz »

tara wrote:what is the use of this vacuum ball ?
It holds vacuum, like a reservoir.


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66stepside
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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

Post by 66stepside »

I was on IFSJA looking for your original build page, but couldn't find it.

Are you using the stock fuel pump, or an electric one for the 327?


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Re: 68 J2000, gettin back on the road...

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66stepside wrote:I was on IFSJA looking for your original build page, but couldn't find it.

Are you using the stock fuel pump, or an electric one for the 327?


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I switched to a Holley red pump. I ran the stock pump for a long time but got tired of cranking to get fuel up to the carb. I had a couple mechanical pumps but sold them to an ifsja member. They're getting harder to find.


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1968 J2000 - AMC 327/T18/D20 (twin stick), stock D44s, 3" body lift, 35x12.50 Goodyear MTRs w/ Kevlar
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