FSJ repair and maintainence wrenchathon, continued...

[csuengr]

My 77' Cherokee is being used as a daily driver, so it is getting pushed kinda hard with two hour blasts down the interstate and ten minute commutes. I already reworked my roof rack lights so I can fit it in the garage, which will help this winter, but there were some nagging issues that needed to be taken care of.

Leaking heater core.
Cracked alternator bracket.
Gas tank fill vent that didn't vent.
Bad fan clutch.

Replacing the heater core isn't that hard. Just have to drop the AC unit to access two nuts. The heater core had a pretty bad leak, and when I went to twist off the smaller hose, the entire nipple came out of the core. Yeah Mexican craftsmanship. But new heater core in.

Took off the alternator bracket (Ford 5.0 engine here), welded up the crack, put back on, with the addition of a new radiator. I had set my air compressor (York) up on the fender, since it is connected to the alternator bracket and had to be removed. Was working on the inside finishing up getting the AC unit installed when I heard a loud thunk followed by trickling water. I had jostled the Jeep enough to cause the compressor to fall and put a hole in the radiator. Just Empty Every Pocket.

Since I am running a full size Bronco gas tank, I had to get creative connecting the vent line. But in my awe inspiring creativity, I placed the vent hose that goes to the wheel well in a position such that it went down hill from the tank, then up. That doesn't work. So I moved it. The fun part was how do I cut the steel vent line without creating sparks, and which can't be pulled out. Solution, my dad has that Dremel thingy that oscillates back and forth, and you can get metal cutting blades. Tube cut, no sparks, no ball of fire.

Along the lines of Just Empty Every Pocket, I had purchased a heavy duty, lifetime warranty, fan clutch, only to have it go out in a year. Couldn't remember where I bought it, so had to purchase a new one.

[will e]

Still it's nice to get some things knocked off the list. I like working on my jeep but only when it is upgrades and improvements. Swapping out a heater core is a nice distraction from life, and it feels good when you are done, but it's not the same as, say, adding a new ham radio.

[Cassidy]

My 77' Cherokee is being used as a daily driver, so it is getting pushed kinda hard with two hour blasts down the interstate and ten minute commutes. I already reworked my roof rack lights so I can fit it in the garage, which will help this winter, but there were some nagging issues that needed to be taken care of.

Leaking heater core.
Cracked alternator bracket.
Gas tank fill vent that didn't vent.
Bad fan clutch.

Replacing the heater core isn't that hard. Just have to drop the AC unit to access two nuts. The heater core had a pretty bad leak, and when I went to twist off the smaller hose, the entire nipple came out of the core. Yeah Mexican craftsmanship. But new heater core in.

Took off the alternator bracket (Ford 5.0 engine here), welded up the crack, put back on, with the addition of a new radiator. I had set my air compressor (York) up on the fender, since it is connected to the alternator bracket and had to be removed. Was working on the inside finishing up getting the AC unit installed when I heard a loud thunk followed by trickling water. I had jostled the Jeep enough to cause the compressor to fall and put a hole in the radiator. Just Empty Every Pocket.

Since I am running a full size Bronco gas tank, I had to get creative connecting the vent line. But in my awe inspiring creativity, I placed the vent hose that goes to the wheel well in a position such that it went down hill from the tank, then up. That doesn't work. So I moved it. The fun part was how do I cut the steel vent line without creating sparks, and which can't be pulled out. Solution, my dad has that Dremel thingy that oscillates back and forth, and you can get metal cutting blades. Tube cut, no sparks, no ball of fire.

Along the lines of Just Empty Every Pocket, I had purchased a heavy duty, lifetime warranty, fan clutch, only to have it go out in a year. Couldn't remember where I bought it, so had to purchase a new one.

I know I will catch some flack for this but I buy all my parts at autozone for this reason. Most of it is lifetime warranty and the record is in the computer if you lose the receipt.

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[az chip]

I think the hardest part of all of that is remembering what part you need if it is not stock. I am trying to stay original for that reason.

[csuengr]

What's so hard about remembering it's a Bronco short block engine and accessories with an Explorer valve train, top end and fuel system, Saginaw power steering pump and fan from a S10 Blazer. The radiator is stock with no mods.

[az chip]

What's so hard about remembering it's a Bronco short block engine and accessories with an Explorer valve train, top end and fuel system, Saginaw power steering pump and fan from a S10 Blazer. The radiator is stock with no mods.

[will e]

Yeah, Autozone still thinks I own an 1981 wagoneer...

[csuengr]

Yeah, Autozone still thinks I own an 1981 wagoneer...

I looked at the list of vehicles that pulls up at autozone and there is about eight of them. None of which is a 77' Cherokee.

[csuengr]

So...after getting everything back together yesterday, my fuel gauge was not reading. It had done this before, but self fixed. So went to the gas station to test the new vent hose routing, which works, so no more taking 15 minutes to fill, and drove around hoping the gauge would start reading. No such luck, so the gas tank was dropped. The issue is an intermittent connection in the connector that connects to the top of the fuel pump/level sender housing. A while ago I replaced the connector, which was broken, with a Chinese knockoff as Ford doesn't sell them anymore (Ford gas tank, in case you are wondering) and it doesn't fit as well as the original Ford part. Imagine that. So I got a few inches of foam rubber and set it on top of the connector and put the tank back in, hoping the foam rubber, squished between the body and connector, will keep the connector on better.

[candymancan]

problem with autozone and advanced auto padts is none of their locations are linked when it comes to warrenties.

so if you go to one and buy something.. then go to another one they cant pull up your warrenty.

also advanced auto parts now has a third party company that keeps track oof your refurns.. So if you dont habe a receipt ( but it is in the computer) if you do a return luke that 3 times then they flag you and block you from being able to use your lifetime warrenty.

so far ive been BEEPED up the asss 3 times now because i didnt have my receipt.. but the computer showed my purchase and showed my warrenty... but that 3rd party company blocked the return because i had no physical receipt.

tbh im suprized they havent had a class action lawsuit yet for yhis. Also advanced auto parts.. their computers DELETE your purchases from the computers after a year or so. even if you have lifetime warrenties.


advanved auto parts is a scum bag company

[KJ Ryu]

Yeah, Autozone still thinks I own an 1981 wagoneer...

I looked at the list of vehicles that pulls up at autozone and there is about eight of them. None of which is a 77' Cherokee.

I get quite a few, as well. Front axle from a 91.5 Dodge 1-ton, rear axle from an 87 Chevy 1 ton dually, etc...

We do drive Just Everyone Else's Parts.

[csuengr]

Went home yesterday afternoon and found a large puddle of coolant on the floor. My new heater is leaking, badly. So during lunch today I went to ACE to get a fitting so I could bypass the heater core. Went to twist the small hose off, and the whole nipple came off, again. I am really thinking about trying to get the original core fixed.

[HeavyMetalThunder_81]

Went home yesterday afternoon and found a large puddle of coolant on the floor. My new heater is leaking, badly. So during lunch today I went to ACE to get a fitting so I could bypass the heater core. Went to twist the small hose off, and the whole nipple came off, again. I am really thinking about trying to get the original core fixed.

What brand aftermarket heater core did you use? I have a Four Seasons one here but it's all aluminum instead of copper/brass like OEM.

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