72 304 Rebuilding Questions.

That metallic blue is not correct for 1976. In 75-ish AMC went to a turquoise-blue solid color. Search for AMC engine paint pictures online and you'll find it. Lots of discussion of this online.

I'd also point out that, while Brian's engine looks great, the color is more intense than what came from the factory. I suspect part of that is the improvement in paint formulations since then, or a higher quantity and quality of metal flake in the paint, if not the slapdash application of engine enamel at the factory back in the day.

 

I agree it is pretty bright but it looks so much better than when I started this project. Personally I like it much better than to hodgepodge different shades of Ford blue the PO had painted various parts.

 

Not sure what it is about the paint that's different. It looks great, but more satin-y (?) than the original? Not satin in the sense of semi-gloss, but like satin fabric. You know how satin fabric has a sheen that changes with viewing angle? Just guessing the original paint had less or smaller flake, and looked more like candy-color than this from a few feet away.

 

Well we have liftoff. Got everything all buttoned up last night tried to start it but didn't happen. Tried again this morning and figured out I had the distributor 180 out. Easy fix turned it and started right up. Timing was at 0 when I checked it so only took little tweak. Happiness was only short lived though. Discovered that then oil pan gasket was leaking quite a bit. Turns out it must have shifted when I was tightening it up or separated at a bolt. So new one in hand and i'll get it swapped out either tonight or tomorrow. Everything else is looking great. and i the scheme of thing having this little bump feels pretty small compared to all the reassembly and doing this major repair that I have never tackled and I feel pretty great right now.

Just as a footnote I had purchased a TSM for 1972. It was sent media mail and the USPS scanned it June 29. Received it Saturday

 

Well the saga has ended. Last Wednesday I was able to start the motor and run it for the 20 min cam break-in went without a problem. Thursday I finished the few things I need to get back together (steering shaft and some other wiring that wasn't needed to start the motor and change the oil and filter). Took the jeep out for it's first run since May was such a good feeling. I have about 70 miles on it now and I have not had any issues, Nice to not having it mark it's territory in the garage anymore.

 

Success!