Dave's 76 Cherokee

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243
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

I have seen the Dustless Blaster videos and the clips on My Classic Car, I even thought about buying a system myself and may do so if I get tired of being a government mule.
1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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az chip
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by az chip »

Not sure I read it in the thread. Are you moving the Cherk to the Waggie frame? Awesome progress!
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

That is the plan, I want to install the drivetrain and exhaust without tearing the Cherokee apart, it's more valuable to me running than not.
1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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az chip
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by az chip »

Nice! Have a D44 rear axle I think.
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

Seems like the 360 may have a rod knock rather than an exhaust leak or lifter issue, warmed it up Sunday, put it in drive and gently added some throttle...click click click became clack clack clack. I am thinking, more planning my next move that absolutely will not included anything AMC 360, but I have even considered lowering my goal of a 6.0/6L80 to a 4.8/4L60 but the cost of the baby LS is not far from the monster.

I guess I need to rebuild the GW D44's and paint the frame, the Cherokee is legal until October but I don't want to tear it down without a full year for the body swap.
1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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ProTouring442
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by ProTouring442 »

243 wrote:I am thinking, more planning my next move that absolutely will not included anything AMC 360, but I have even considered lowering my goal of a 6.0/6L80 to a 4.8/4L60 but the cost of the baby LS is not far from the monster.
I went with the 5.3 (LY5)/4L60E, and even with too high a rear ratio for the size tires I'm running, it has very nice power.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

Thanks for the input, a 5.3 splits the difference and my 6.0 2500 HD only averages 12 mpg.
1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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ToolShed
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by ToolShed »

My 6.0 2500HD gets about the same
Jim

78 Cherokee Chief W/T 360 4V TH400 D20
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

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I headed out at about 6:00 and was in DFW about 8:45, listened to the 5.3, ran it through the gears with my foot on the brake and then drove the Suburban around the block. Sounded good to me, the odometer didn't work so I don't trust it only has 170K, temp gauge was broke but the scanner indicated 183 degrees. We started pulling the engine about 9:00 and finished at 2:30 and I made it home by 5:30. I decided to buy this combination because I could hear it run, drive it and get everything from one vehicle, I also grabbed the hydroboost, air intake system, radiator, condenser and overflow tank. I doubt I will used anything accept the hydroboost and sell the rest.

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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by az chip »

Great job! Busy day I bet. Did you get the coil packs?
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

Yes, the drivers side coils were removed to keep the chain from damaging them.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

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az chip
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by az chip »

Looks like a tight fit. New crossmember needed?
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

I will be able to use the existing transmission crossmember in the rear set of frame holes, the 4L60 mount is centered pretty well right now.

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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by az chip »

Nice. Will be super reliable.
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

That is my goal, I want to drive it across the country without worrying (too much) about failures. I think a cool advantage of using and LS1, is there is a huge supply of engines across the country. In an old ride like this, if the engine deep sixes, I can buy a junkyard motor for a small price and be back on the road in a weekend.

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1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

I would like to use 10-15 Camaro exhaust manifolds that exit down rather than to the rear like the truck manifolds but I need to get the axles and driveshaft in place to check the fit.

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1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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az chip
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by az chip »

Are you still boxing the frame? I saw a thread somewhere that was done that way. Down exhaust with that tight fit is probably a good idea. I am watching you for my future conversion. Bring all the challenges up.
'81 Cherokee Chief 81 WT Chief/MSD 6/Holley Sniper/ Rusty 4" Spring lift/ Bulltear oil adapter/K&P Engineering Oil Filter/ NP 208/ Serehill Light Harness/KC LED Headlights/ Evil Twin Fab Roof Rack and sliders/ Ross mirror mounts.

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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by cmaje72 »

Looking good. Now I am wishing I had plated the frame like you did with the engine mounts.
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Re: Dave's 76 Cherokee

Post by 243 »

Thanks guy's.

I happen to have some sheet metal that I had forgotten about, most is 8"-12" wide and about 48" long, 16ga but maybe a 14ga. I will probably box the frame at the second from rear crossmember and stop there.
1978 Cherokee NT, 5.3/4L60/NP241 in Progress
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