finally got a willys!

well after years of casually searching and debating i finally picked up a 47ish cj2a. its all complete, guy said it was running(everything ran at one point haha) minimal rust really in good shape for what it is amd what i gave. didnt have a title and has a plate welded over the vin so titling might be a trick montana is easy to deal with for the most part though. so i pulled it home cleaned up the fuel tank was rust free, just rotted gas run it over a bit then checked compression was only 32 lbs so i pulled the motor and tranny, it had been rebuilt at one point all the bearings look good cylinder walls are really smooth small ridge on top, bored .40 over measured out to about .41 .001 out of round but the valves had so much carbon build up they wouldnt even come close to seating. so im looking for advice on a few things. im thinking il do rings hone and valves all the seals and what not and then see if it will run.? not sure what would cause so much carbon build up on the valves? also i want to convert to 12v any thoughts on that? ive had several jeeps but i always wanted a flat fender. i love this thing! ive spent hours reading this forum so this is my introduction and looking for good parts sources! will need a back seat for my 2 boys and it will need a rust spot and few holes fixed but not to bad all in all. plan on getting it running and titled this summer do a few mountain trips and then pull the tub and do the body work and paint this winter want to keep it basiclly original just want upgraded wiring 12v and probably a small roll bar. any willys clubs or groups out montana way? i will post pictured this afternoon when i can get some signal to upload.

Edited by higgins512 - 04 May 2020 at 1:38am

 Pictures are your best friend. We are visual people around these parts. 

ya as far as rebuilding, its as basic a vehicle as you can find. bearings were in spec but for the price i might as well go new. i think il file fit some iron rings and lap the vales and see what i can get for compression. i agree i want to keep it simple and run it over this summer before i really pull the tub and go threw it. i thought about a full rebuild but the machine shops here are out quite aways. so might as well try my luck. definitely going to go 12v for convenience and accessories. only thing missing from the rig was the ebrake any idea where i can find ebrake parts i found pads and springs but all i have is the drum on the tcase. no linkages or handle or anything.il keep posting as i put it back together gonna be a every friday and saterday job for a while haha 

Welcome aboard Austin,that’s a really nice looking Jeep to start with.

Gotta love that clean Montana sheet metal...

Nice! I have a spare ebrake cane hanging on the wall if you need it. Is your under dash ebrake bracketry intact? Muley

Good looking Jeep.  Get a shop manual, there are some out there with plastic covered pages that will last in the shop.  Another good book is the Jeep CJ Rebuilder's Manual by Moses Ludel, lots of info with pictures.  NAPA and Car Quest are good sources for parts.  Good luck with your project.


Edited by 64CJ5 - 04 May 2020 at 5:03pm

Welcome to the page, higgins512!

got a pile of parts ordered, didnt have much tim this weekend to mess with it but i did start cleaning up the frame and cleaned and painted up some small parts and pieces. also got broke down for about a hour unstucking the windshield.. cuz laying the windshield down is definitely a priority! haha i still need to finish the motor tear down. but corona virus is slowing my parts down so i got time. not in a huge rush but ready to hear this thing run. found out i have more weld than frame in several spots so this winter is gonna be allot of frame and body work still without the rust its not that big of a issue. anyways chipping away at it.