You and me both Duke!
It’s already come leaps and bounds, but I know it can get better and I’m sure it’s got lots more in it.
I never believed when guys said their QJ’s started like fuel injection, but I’ll be dammed if this thing doesn’t do the same now! Once it’s up to temp, the engine doesn’t even spin half a turn before it lights off. Compared to the fight I had before to get it to stay running, it’s awesome!
Thanks for the comments buddy.
🙂
Thanks Vic!
The problem I had with the eye was several weeks ago now, but it’s all healed up and 100% back to normal. Thanks for your concern!
I’m glad you like the contrast between the dark grey and the brushed trim, it looks incredible in the bright sunlight. I can’t wait until I can get the car fully painted, I’m hoping it’ll be a head turner. Thanks for the compliment, it’s much appreciated my friend!
Well gentlemen, it was a relatively decent day all things considered, for a Monday.
I found a quick couple minutes to stop in at the speed shop during my day, got the starter exchanged for the correct one, grabbed some ZDDP additive to go with the forgotten oil, picked up an MSD digital HEI module, and inquired about the Edelbrock jets and secondary rods for the QJ.
Unfortunately they didn’t have either in stock, but I paid for them up front and they should be here in roughly 2-3 weeks direct from Edelbrock.
Once home, I immediately test fit the new starter (shown here alongside the old one)...
View attachment 90693
...and was pleased to see it was finally the correct one. After double checking the ring gear engagement and the clearances I torqued it to spec, bolted the exhaust and inspection cover back up and moved onto completing the oil change.
In my haste yesterday I made the rookie mistake of forgetting to prime the oil filter, so that was the first thing I looked after. I mixed in the ZDDP additive as I was adding the oil, so all should be good there as well.
Once things were buttoned back up, I fired up the car and let her get up to temp. I’m pleased to report the new starter sounds and works beautifully. It has no problems whatsoever spinning over this mill even with the aggressive initial timing I’ve got into it.
A couple times during the warm-up, I shut the car off and bled the air out of the system, and topped up the antifreeze. It looks so much better seeing bright green antifreeze in the overflow again than that dirty old crap.
It was at this point that I noticed the fuel level was reaching situation critical, so I took it down the block to the gas station to top it off and give it a careful test drive along the way. After a minor hiccup with the temp gauge going haywire and trying to figure out what it wanted to do (probably an air pocket in the engine block), things stabilized and the gauge started reading where it should.
I plumb ran outta time tonight, but tomorrow I plan on installing the digital HEI module...
View attachment 90694
...and tweaking on the carb with the vacuum gauge like I’ve been threatening to do for almost a week now.
I’m really looking forward to seeing and feeling all the improvements I’ve been making on the old girl lately. Now that it’ll actually idle on the proper circuit, you can clearly hear the lope of the camshaft, and it sounds great!
The fresh synthetic oil, tuned and optimized carb, digital module, and mini starter should all contribute to make this thing even MORE fun to drive than it already was!
That’s it for now fellas. Thanks for checking in on the updates.
🙂
D.
Btw, did no one catch the Southpark reference in the thread title?
😉
