1981 Cherokee

[rang-a-stang]

That looks SOOOOoooooo much better!!! Wow!!!

[78 WIDETRAC]

I haven't managed to get much done on the 81 because I bought another. I picked up a 79 Cherokee Chief Project of course. It's a runner. and came with A LOT of extra parts!!!!!



It's yellow with black interior. The interior was removed by the po before the po I got it from. It's missing the factory tail gate, but it came with 2 extra.



The only other thing that's not there in the parts I received is carpet.

[78 WIDETRAC]

Nice find. You are really turning it around quickly! Had to come check it out after you mentioned something about a build thread replying to mine on fsjnetwork. Looking forward to the next progress update!

Welcome to IFSJA. With the new cherokee I got a few exhaust manifolds. PM me and we can figure out a time and day to meet up and I'll pass what you need along to you.

[rang-a-stang]

Hey! It's my Chief's twin! Except nicer!

[78 WIDETRAC]

Hey! It's my Chief's twin! Except nicer!

Marc You should go back through your build thread. This one has a nice original body, but is far from being even close to as nice as yours is.



I found it on fb marketplace about 13 miles from the 81 Cherokee. This one stays as is. just put back together. I need to find some Saxon yellow paint. The original tailgate is MIA. and the non installed brown one it came with will not look quite right on it.

[78 WIDETRAC]

Did some work on it tonight. I popped the intake manifold shield off the 2bbl manifold, removed all of the random vacuum, linkage plates, water neck off of the old manifold for installation on the new intake, set the carb and valve covers on.



It all comes back off this weekend to do the shield and seal threads clean engine bay, prep block for some paint etc...






BTW All of these items came with it when I picked it up from Art. Purchase date of 07 I think. I'm happy to get them on permanently soon. Carb may come back off for F.I.


But it looks good. As new parts always do. I have engine block paint on the way.

[78 WIDETRAC]

Time to get back into the 81 Cherokee. I might start another thread on the Yellow one another time.


So I have decided to tackle the sniper on this one. I still need to get things cleaned up and repainted, also where can I get a nice water neck?



Here is the sniper unit on the manifold. Kind of a good time to do this, fuel tank is out, I can upgrade any electrical needs for the system. figure out the best fuel pump to use etc...



It came with everything to install it. I have read some threads about using the buffer tank/ fuel pump in the engine bay. As not the best idea.



I'm watching cu4wln's in tank fuel pump posts thinking this might be the way to go. I have the newer plastic tank, would it be a big deal to install a factory metal tank from an earlier year?



Any input would be great. Here are some pics.

[DarkMonohue]

...also where can I get a nice water neck?

RockAuto, and probably any corner auto parts store, has cheap cast iron replacement units. They work, but mine required some judicious work with a file and sandpaper to get a decent finish on the heater hose fitting. I'm not sure what is available that's nicer than that type.

[78 WIDETRAC]

RockAuto, and probably any corner auto parts store, has cheap cast iron replacement units. They work, but mine required some judicious work with a file and sandpaper to get a decent finish on the heater hose fitting. I'm not sure what is available that's nicer than that type.

I was just thinking a nicer aluminum one, mostly to match the intake.


Thanks for the tip on RockAuto. I forget about them being a great resource for parts.

[DarkMonohue]

I was just thinking a nicer aluminum one, mostly to match the intake.

Makes sense. The OEM thermostat housing was a very nice aluminum piece. It was really frustrating when I broke mine and had to put on that ugly cast iron aftermarket part.

[rang-a-stang]

I have replaced my fuel pump twice since going EFI. I am REALLLLLlllllly glad I did not put it in the fuel tank. Replacing mine is a 3 tool, 20 minute job. You put it in the fuel tank, and it will be a much bigger job. Then again, maybe if I got an in tank fuel pump, maybe I would not have killed it twice..... HHHmmmm...

[78 WIDETRAC]

I'm going backwards again. I started taking the front of the motor apart. Pretty good time to do it. I have the time. plus It will be easier to clean up and shoot some paint.



Also I just want to check out the components before I assume it's good after setting for 10 years. Pics as long as I can remember how to post them up.



I need to look at the timing chains that have been used by others and possibly cams, We'll see on the cam.

[78 WIDETRAC]

I have replaced my fuel pump twice since going EFI. I am REALLLLLlllllly glad I did not put it in the fuel tank. Replacing mine is a 3 tool, 20 minute job. You put it in the fuel tank, and it will be a much bigger job. Then again, maybe if I got an in tank fuel pump, maybe I would not have killed it twice..... HHHmmmm...

I would absolutely put in an access panel for sure!

[78 WIDETRAC]

More stripping the engine down to the timing chain. It has some slack. is this acceptable? See pic


The front of the block is cleaned up pretty good. The oil line was loose at the compression nut, so it had been slowly leaking for a while based on the coated frame and motor mount and timing cover and front of the engine.

[levelhead]

While the cover is off I would rebuild the oil pump including getting end clearance right.