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Dauntless 225 Help/question

Discussion in 'Jeepster Commando and Commando Tech' started by JonAllenTX, Nov 19, 2019.

  1. Nov 19, 2019
    JonAllenTX

    JonAllenTX New Member

    Round Rock TX
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    Messages:
    21
    Good Afternoon All!

    Hoping someone can help me out. I am rebuilding a 1971 Jeepster with my son for his first car. We recently pulled the engine to give it a good cleaning, fresh paint and to replace the freeze/frost/cast plugs (whatever you wish to call them). Now that we're finishing up with that and getting ready to paint, I dry fit everything back into place. When dealing with the timing cover I noticed an open port behind the timing chain. I hate timing chains so I've been trying not to remove it. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that port needs to be plugged. Doesn't come up on anything I've found. The only freeze plugs I can find are the 4 on the sides and the 1 in the back where the transmission bolts up. All of those have been replaced. No mention of the one in front anywhere. Hoping it's supposed to be open? If not, I guess it's time to stop putting off taking off the timing chain. Anyone know what plug I need if it needs to be plugged? Unfortunately, after numerous attempts, I can't get a good picture of it, but looks quite small even compared to the ones on the sides.
     
  2. Nov 19, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Jun 5, 2007
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    Not at all sure about your open port. Photo would help. But if you have the timing cover off the chain is a 3 minute no brainer job. I even did it. (Without even staying at Holiday Inn Express).

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Nov 19, 2019
    JonAllenTX

    JonAllenTX New Member

    Round Rock TX
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
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    21
    Yeah I know it's quick. Just hate dealing with the chain. Your picture is about as good as I could get of it. Dead center just above the camshaft (top) sprocket. You can only see it through the holes in the sprocket. Looks like yours is open from your picture also, but it's nearly impossible to tell in a picture which is why I didn't bother posting one.
     
  4. Nov 19, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    If you’re seeing it through the gaps in the sprocket, my guess is, it’s just there for oil to move around the engine. Don’t try to fill or plug that area.
     
  5. Nov 19, 2019
    shadetreetim

    shadetreetim Member 2022 Sponsor

    Riverside, Ca -...
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    Oct 2, 2019
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    199
    That may be a round hole, but its not a freeze plug hole. If that's the only reason you have to take off the timing chain, you can move on to another project.
     
    JonAllenTX likes this.
  6. Nov 19, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    Apr 28, 2011
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    even if your only doing a rattle can rebuild :whistle:
    now is the time to replace timing chain
     
    47v6 likes this.
  7. Nov 19, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    It’s so easy and only like $30 at RockAuto. What would not be easy is taking it apart again in the next couple years already installed in the Jeep.
     
  8. Nov 19, 2019
    JonAllenTX

    JonAllenTX New Member

    Round Rock TX
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    Messages:
    21
    The timing is correct and the chain is tight. If I had to guess, given it's condition, it was replaced relatively recently. Almost no slack or signs of wear on the chain or sprockets. Unfortunately, I have very little info on the history of the Jeep. I bought it from someone who bought it a little over a year ago to rebuild and never got around to it. Before that it was sitting (or at least unregistered) since 2000. That said, I've found lots of like new parts during the strip down. I may change it for preventative reasons, but trying to watch the budget. It's a father/son project that will be his first vehicle in a few years when he gets his license. I kind of want it to break a lot so he gets lots of practice fixing it. :D
     
    Buildflycrash likes this.
  9. Nov 20, 2019
    53A1

    53A1 Member

    Kern Co. Ca.
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    447
    All I can say is mine looked good until I got a new one. If you push the chain all the way in at the damper position and the damper does not contact when pulling back slightly on the damper, you have either a worn chain or damper spring. I was surprised how much positive contact the new parts have and how much better it ran.

    I think I spent 5 minutes putting on the timing set in and two days getting everything else back together. I would also inspect your oil pump while the timing cover is off (5 min job) and replace the front rope seal with a modern seal (20 min). Again very easy and worth the time because taking the timing cover off and getting it sealed good is the hard part and you don't want coolant to end up going into the oil galley so make sure you are very meticulous about putting the timing cover back on. I had to help a guy out that put everything back together then rip it back apart because he didn't understand how to seal up the timing cover correctly and had a leak and probably ATV going into his oil galley.

    Cam and lifters are also a good thing to catch early and are very cheap. If the lifters are dished you will start to see metal sludge in your engine as your cam wears out. I think I spent 200 for a cam, lifter and timing set kit.

    I know your mind is set but if you change your mind do this other stuff as well and your engine will last longer.
     
    OzFin likes this.
  10. Nov 21, 2019
    JonAllenTX

    JonAllenTX New Member

    Round Rock TX
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    Messages:
    21
    Well, after some thought and discussion with a buddy who owns a local Jeep shop, I've decided to add some work to this engine. Given that all of the tests before pulling the engine were good he said it's all likely fine, but he was able to get me parts at cost and said he'd do it if it was his Jeep just because I don't know the history. New Camshaft, Bearings, Valve Lifters, Fuel Pump, Timing Chain (and sprokets and dampers) going in. All gaskets getting replaced but was planning on doing that anyway, minus the head, and rebuilding the oil pump.

    I'm sure I'll be happy once it's done, but that just extended the budget and timeframe a bit. Only about $300 for all of it, but still, little overages add up (and I'm kind of a cheap ***). Probably going to be replacing the carbuerator instead of rebuilding it too in the relatively near future. Someone in the past replaced the 2GC auto choke with a 2G manual choke and I'd like to change it back. One less thing for my son to play with/learn how to use correctly while he's learning to drive.
     
    47v6 and Buildflycrash like this.
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