55 Willys Restoration

Changed out the vacuum line between the gauge and the engine. The cheap clear plastic tubing that came with the gauge was flat as a sheet of paper. Used 3/8" fuel line, stiffer and won't collapse.

 

I bought some chain link fencing wire to use in order to make my wire spiral for inside the air hose. It isn't pretty but it goes on the inside so it won't be seen. The good news is that I no longer have to worry about the hose collapsing -

Pics:
Wire Spiral:


inside the hose:


Short Video of engine running and revving showing no more hose collapsing....kind of....the hose still collapses down around the wire spiral but not a complete choke of the air supply and make the engine bog collapse -

 

That looks great! Was blue the original color?

 

Mark T. thanks. That isn't the original color. Through research I found that the F-heads were originally painted black. I thought about going black but I like how Old Ford Blue looks. Haven't posted in awhile. I've been out enjoying getting all the shiny paint dirty by driving around in the desert. Almost have 500 miles on the rebuilt motor. Getting close to the first oil change.

 

Finally hit 500 miles. Took the Willys to the auto hobby shop on the nearby Air Force Base. It is a full service auto shop available to active, guard and retired military members. Put the jeep up on the lift. I drained and changed the oil in the engine, transmission and transfer case. Also removed the rear drive shaft and parking brake to troubleshoot the speedometer issue. Turns out the speedo drive cable is smaller than the transfer case speedo gear. Will have to look at either getting a new gear or find a cable that is slightly larger in diameter. Also hit all the zerk fittings with grease. Next oil change in 1500 miles.

 

Worked on the Willys a little today. Installed the wipers on the windshield (Manual for Passenger, Electrical Motor for Driver). Removed and painted the door handles on the soft top's doors. Also, used an existing hole in my dashboard to install a power outlet for charging the electronics as necessary. Still have to wire up the power outlet and the wiper motor. Looking into installing a power bus bar since there is not enough room on the backside of the ignition switch. Here are some photos.

Door handle (Passenger side, driver side is the same):


Windshield Wipers:
Passenger:



Driver:


Power outlet:


For those that may be considering installing a new electric wiper motor. The one I used the wiper shaft was to long and required to be cut back to fit. You have to cut the sleeve thread of first and then cut the shaft. Don't cut all the way through or you will end up having to buy another motor. For the first cut, I measured 1 inch from the base of the motor and cut the thread sleeve. I used the mounting nut as a guide while making the cut. Next I measured 5/8 inch from the thread sleeve and cut the shaft. Took a file and cleaned up the shaft. Walck's has a video where he talks about the different motors. Here is the video:

 

Wired in the Electric Wiper motor and 12 volt power outlet on the Willys today. The motor and outlet work as advertised. Now if it rains while I am out playing I will be able to see where I am going. Some pics showing the wiring for the motor and the outlet working.

Wiper Motor:



Power Outlet:

 

Ok. Took the backside of the transfer case apart and discovered this:



Removed and installed in the correct orientation. Now looks like this:


After reassembling the rear transfer case and the jeep, the speedometer now does this:

 

My brother was in town for Thanksgiving. Using a sheet of green plexiglass 1/8" thick. He assisted me in working on the lens for the Spartan Turn Signal. Essentially what we did was cut out a rectangle piece from the plexiglass slightly larger than the opening in the case where the lens goes. My brother proceeded to sand it down, using 320 grit sandpaper, to where it would just fit inside the opening. Using an open flame, such as a cigeratte lighter, I proceeded to polish the edges of the replacement lens. I found out, due to the piece being so small, that the plexiglass softened. This gave me the idea to use a heat gun. Using one of the heat gun attachments to rest the turn signal case against. I laid the new lens in position and proceeded to heat it up. Once it was well heated, very pliable, I used the a box end wrench the press fit the lens into the opening. I then let it all cool off. Once it was cool to the touch, I superglued the lens in place. Here are the results:


Shining a flashlight from behind:


Installed on the Willys:


Short video of the indicator light flashing:

The indicator bulb will not work unless the Sparton turn signal case is grounded. To ensure, I had a good ground, I attached a wire to one of the screws that holds the metal clamp for the wiring harness and the other end was installed between the clamp and the steering column.

Picture of the clamp on the switch assembly:

 

That's awesome.

 

Thanks ITLKSEZ. I agree it is awesome to have a working period correct turn signal switch. I will be taking the Willys out this weekend to see if I mounted the switch in the right place to make the canceling wheel work.

 

So the canceling wheel doesn't work, but that is alright. I haven't posted anything to this thread in awhile since I have been out enjoying the Willys a lot. Last weekend had some nephews in town so we went out for a little jaunt through the local desert and climbed a couple small hills. My good friend Tristan went along and filmed the whole thing with his Mavic Pro Drone. Here's a link for those that are interested -

 

Great video. Jeep looks amazing. Very nice work, you've inspired me to keep plugging away at mine.

 

Focker, I know what you mean. I'm just glad were good friends and he lives right next door.

Thanks Muzikp. When I finally got off my lazy bum and started working on the Willys, I have found the posts on this site very helpful and inspiring.


Since Photobucket has done what they have done. If you guys want to see pics of the Willys try this link:

Willys 2015 Restoration

Let me know if it works.

 

Link works great. Fantastic job on the rebuild, you left no stone unturned.

I like this shot of the tub sitting there with the top on. Don't think I've ever seen a tub sitting on the ground with the top on.

 

Thanks Muzikp. I did this as a means to keep everything together and used the top to keep the seats from getting beat up by the Desert Sun.