Nice!! You have put some serious effort in this build and it definitely shows. Keep it up!!!
ih8mud inspired build
- Thread starter Dagha Boy
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #482
Whoopee! Big milestone yesterday after months of life interfering. Shipped Dagha Boy off to the specialists for brake bleeding and adjustment, steering adjustment, new exhaust and of course the swop out of the incorrect throw out bearing assembly and the biggie 1st start of the engine since rebuild.
Hopefully all will be done by end of next week and Dagha Boy will come home under its own steam. Then its all the little things - dings and scratches, rust proofing etc. It's been a long road but great fun.
Hopefully all will be done by end of next week and Dagha Boy will come home under its own steam. Then its all the little things - dings and scratches, rust proofing etc. It's been a long road but great fun.
Good to see this still moving forward!
2fpower
SILVER Star
any updates?
rkymtnflyfisher
Trout Bum
2fpower
SILVER Star
Darn Covid. Killer of all things good.
Still one of my favorite pics on Mud....
Still one of my favorite pics on Mud....
- Thread starter
- #487
It's a weird world we live in. I'm still stuck in PDX and bored out of my mind. Isn't there somebody in the sort of Beaverton/Hillsboro area that needs a hand on a Cruiser. I do anything, even clean out from axles but would need a beer per side for the latter. There is no indication as to when SA will get their ducks in a row and get tourism going again so there can be flights. Even then they will no doubt make it as difficult as possible for Yankees just because they can. Sad days.
It is difficult to tell whether any work has been done to the Dagha Boy as it is extremely difficult to communicate with the guy whose shop it is at. I don't really care to push too hard as I'd just as soon do it myself when I get back.
In the meantime, I'm serious about needing to get my hands dirty or go mad.
It is difficult to tell whether any work has been done to the Dagha Boy as it is extremely difficult to communicate with the guy whose shop it is at. I don't really care to push too hard as I'd just as soon do it myself when I get back.
In the meantime, I'm serious about needing to get my hands dirty or go mad.
- Thread starter
- #488
Well. here I am back in SA and working on the Dagha Boy. My enthusiasm and belief that the guy who undertook to finish it off was sadly misplaced. He took the roof off, the wheels off, the exhaust off, lost the battery, lost a rim and got everything very dirty. Other than that nothing.
After returning in mid December I had other work to do, so could only finally attend to the Dagha Boy problem two weeks ago. The screaming and shouting and swearing that went on when I saw the mess was epic. Having got over that I just started doing the stuff myself and slowly but surely getting organized and into the swing of things again.
On Friday, more than a year late, I trailered it 100km and had the brakes and steering done by the specialists. All done, between 8 and reloaded and on the road by 12. While that was going on I quickly had the valve cover "Aquablasted." It came out great. Less than $10 USD.
And then today was the BIG day. I bled the fuel system with the glow plugs out. Put the glow plugs back, tested them to see if they worked and then I turned the engine expecting to have to bleed some more. The damn thing started on the first swing and ran smoothly, if a little fast to my ear. The oil pressure came right up immediately. All was well. After I recovered from the shock I started it again and adjusted the little idle screw adjuster to what sounds right to me and just let her purr. No leaks, but then after a while there was a drip coming off the side below the oil pressure sender. Turned out to be running down from under the back of the valve cover. Two turns on the hold down nut and that was solved. After about ten minutes coolant started "spewing" from under the radiator. I thought the bottom of the radiator had popped loose and switched off. After much searching and looking I realized that when the thermostat opened it spat some coolant out of the overflow. My initial "spewing Niagara" was probably no more than a cup, once I looked at it calmly!
Started up again and let it idle for another hour watching the gauges and keeping a sharp lookout for any developing leaks. All perfect, but for the temp gauge that isn't working. I really hope it is not the gauge itself @ $100+. I have two spare clusters so maybe if it is I can cannibalize one from there. I hope it is just the sender.
On Tuesday it is booked in for a new exhaust and will be going their under its own power, but with no roof and no bumper.
If all goes well it could be in a test drivable condition by Wednesday / Thursday and I can put in a couple of hundred test kilometres over the weekend and then do all the little touchups the week after and give it to the new owner at the end of the month. I have a few last bits coming with the MWFD when she returns at end April - some stickers, a cab light, a rubber boot for the transfer case shifter shaft but I can quickly fit those then . Seller's remorse is running thick and fast right now.
PS. Those are NOT its wheels. Its split rims and 750 x16 radials are waiting at the tyre shop.
After returning in mid December I had other work to do, so could only finally attend to the Dagha Boy problem two weeks ago. The screaming and shouting and swearing that went on when I saw the mess was epic. Having got over that I just started doing the stuff myself and slowly but surely getting organized and into the swing of things again.
On Friday, more than a year late, I trailered it 100km and had the brakes and steering done by the specialists. All done, between 8 and reloaded and on the road by 12. While that was going on I quickly had the valve cover "Aquablasted." It came out great. Less than $10 USD.
And then today was the BIG day. I bled the fuel system with the glow plugs out. Put the glow plugs back, tested them to see if they worked and then I turned the engine expecting to have to bleed some more. The damn thing started on the first swing and ran smoothly, if a little fast to my ear. The oil pressure came right up immediately. All was well. After I recovered from the shock I started it again and adjusted the little idle screw adjuster to what sounds right to me and just let her purr. No leaks, but then after a while there was a drip coming off the side below the oil pressure sender. Turned out to be running down from under the back of the valve cover. Two turns on the hold down nut and that was solved. After about ten minutes coolant started "spewing" from under the radiator. I thought the bottom of the radiator had popped loose and switched off. After much searching and looking I realized that when the thermostat opened it spat some coolant out of the overflow. My initial "spewing Niagara" was probably no more than a cup, once I looked at it calmly!
Started up again and let it idle for another hour watching the gauges and keeping a sharp lookout for any developing leaks. All perfect, but for the temp gauge that isn't working. I really hope it is not the gauge itself @ $100+. I have two spare clusters so maybe if it is I can cannibalize one from there. I hope it is just the sender.
On Tuesday it is booked in for a new exhaust and will be going their under its own power, but with no roof and no bumper.
If all goes well it could be in a test drivable condition by Wednesday / Thursday and I can put in a couple of hundred test kilometres over the weekend and then do all the little touchups the week after and give it to the new owner at the end of the month. I have a few last bits coming with the MWFD when she returns at end April - some stickers, a cab light, a rubber boot for the transfer case shifter shaft but I can quickly fit those then . Seller's remorse is running thick and fast right now.
PS. Those are NOT its wheels. Its split rims and 750 x16 radials are waiting at the tyre shop.
- Thread starter
- #489
I just checked back on photos and see that I started dismantling on 3 March 2015. Now 31 March 2021 seems to be the likely completion date, but for a few stickers, a cab light etc which the MWFD is kindly bringing from the States at end April.
Today I drove it to the gas station for a tank of diesel - the fuel gauge does not work, damn, and then drove about 5km to have the wheel alignment done. Friday it will be a 40km trip to the next town to have the new exhaust system fitted. Next week it will be 100km to our nearest "big" town to the diesel experts who rebuilt the injector pump for them to set the idle properly and check the engine out thoroughly. It is running "sooty" with a faint blue hazy smoke. Perhaps it is just because it was idling cold to get it up to temp to flush the radiator, or I'm just not used to the old diesels anymore. We shall see. Let the experts check it out.
Today I drove it to the gas station for a tank of diesel - the fuel gauge does not work, damn, and then drove about 5km to have the wheel alignment done. Friday it will be a 40km trip to the next town to have the new exhaust system fitted. Next week it will be 100km to our nearest "big" town to the diesel experts who rebuilt the injector pump for them to set the idle properly and check the engine out thoroughly. It is running "sooty" with a faint blue hazy smoke. Perhaps it is just because it was idling cold to get it up to temp to flush the radiator, or I'm just not used to the old diesels anymore. We shall see. Let the experts check it out.
- Thread starter
- #491
Ja. Dunlop SP Super Roadgripper F 7.50R16C 8PR. They're off my FJ75 while I wait for the crossply Dunlops. They are very nice tyres. Not a Dunlop fan but they are tubeless and that is what I wanted for easy roadside puncture repair.
- Thread starter
- #492
Damned Dagha Boy upped and spat in my face.
It was supposed to be off with the new owner for the weekend but when I opened the radiator cap in the morning to check the level, it blew coolant all over my face and everything else around... (1 bar radiator cap.)
I'm assuming that it is a blown head gasket allowing pressure from a cylinder to leak into a coolant channel or even worse a crack or hole????? I, don't know. The head was completely rebuilt and has no more that 100km on it with the longest trip being about 40km. It has shown no signs of overheating. The cap was off the radiator in the evening and all the pressure must have come from driving it into the garage...
Maybe they didn't torque the head properly during the rebuild?
It was supposed to be off with the new owner for the weekend but when I opened the radiator cap in the morning to check the level, it blew coolant all over my face and everything else around... (1 bar radiator cap.)
I'm assuming that it is a blown head gasket allowing pressure from a cylinder to leak into a coolant channel or even worse a crack or hole????? I, don't know. The head was completely rebuilt and has no more that 100km on it with the longest trip being about 40km. It has shown no signs of overheating. The cap was off the radiator in the evening and all the pressure must have come from driving it into the garage...
Maybe they didn't torque the head properly during the rebuild?
- Thread starter
- #493
Well, that was 4 April and today is 4 July and it has proved to be a horrible downhill slide with this engine. It has now blown no less than three head gaskets without overheating even. They last for about an hour or so and then blow out and the whole performance starts all over again.
The engineering co has worked with me on this and after the second gasket went took it and did it themselves. Blew on them too! Unfortunately we have been unable to obtain an OE gasket anywhere and will now get a gasket custom made. Hopefully in the next week or so.
Damn thing doesn't work but doesn't look too bad.
The engineering co has worked with me on this and after the second gasket went took it and did it themselves. Blew on them too! Unfortunately we have been unable to obtain an OE gasket anywhere and will now get a gasket custom made. Hopefully in the next week or so.
Damn thing doesn't work but doesn't look too bad.
Sorry to hear about your engine issues. I have Old Landy, a South African HJ45 that the PO overlanded from SA to Europe, then to Alaska. He too had head gasket issues. He replaced it three times and gave up. Not sure what it is about the H engine once they are opened up. She is getting a 2HT with 5 speed.
2H maybe more widely available than a 12HT in SA. It fits well. Ofcourse there are other options as well.
Michael B
SILVER Star
Sounds like it might be a warped cylinder head or possible the block deck is warped.
^^^ this
Any update?
- Thread starter
- #499
And then life intervened and I got distracted...
But, I did manage to get the head gasket problem sorted. It appears that it was sub standard after market gasket problems. Once I had a proper head gasket made the problem was solved and has remained solved. Dagha Boy eventually went to his new owner and I am happy to report that he lives in a cozy hanger with a Pilatus P-12 for company. A step up for sure.
Me? Well, I sort of fell with my bum in the butter too. A friend wanted the Dagha Boy as well and asked me to do one for him. while we were looking for a suitable candidate, I rebuilt a Willys for him, and did a refurb on a Mini Moke and a '53 Series I 80inch Land Rover he had on his polo estate. Plus another Willys for another friend. All this was done in and old workshop/storeroom on the estate and in the basement of a pavilion at one of the polo fields. We still haven't found a suitable 45 series but he has several other vehicles lined up including a '76 ex SAS Air Portable Land Rover.
WILLY'S
'53 SERIES I
'76 AIRPORTABLE
We are now in the final stages of planning and approvals for an 8000 sq ft workshop and vehicle storage to do all this. For me it is an ideal set up. I get to do what I like doing without having to pay the high cost and having to sell the product (at a loss) in the end. And he gets to own and play with the vehicles.
Of course I get to work on my own projects as well. Win-win.
I want a 40 Series but they are simply unavailable here so have had to settle for a '62 CJ3B Willys. (Ex military so technically an M606) originally donated to SA by the kind taxpayers of the US of A. Thanks guys!! I am building it specifically for a trip along the Skeleton Coast of Namibia. Trip is bare bones - nothing but what was vailable in the '40s/50s. So no LED lights, electric tire pumps etc. Paraffin lamps, stirrup pumps etc. Should be fun.
( Link to similar trip as planned : )
MY '62 CJ3B
As they say in the classics : "Thaaat's All Folks!"
But, I did manage to get the head gasket problem sorted. It appears that it was sub standard after market gasket problems. Once I had a proper head gasket made the problem was solved and has remained solved. Dagha Boy eventually went to his new owner and I am happy to report that he lives in a cozy hanger with a Pilatus P-12 for company. A step up for sure.
Me? Well, I sort of fell with my bum in the butter too. A friend wanted the Dagha Boy as well and asked me to do one for him. while we were looking for a suitable candidate, I rebuilt a Willys for him, and did a refurb on a Mini Moke and a '53 Series I 80inch Land Rover he had on his polo estate. Plus another Willys for another friend. All this was done in and old workshop/storeroom on the estate and in the basement of a pavilion at one of the polo fields. We still haven't found a suitable 45 series but he has several other vehicles lined up including a '76 ex SAS Air Portable Land Rover.
WILLY'S
'53 SERIES I
'76 AIRPORTABLE
We are now in the final stages of planning and approvals for an 8000 sq ft workshop and vehicle storage to do all this. For me it is an ideal set up. I get to do what I like doing without having to pay the high cost and having to sell the product (at a loss) in the end. And he gets to own and play with the vehicles.
Of course I get to work on my own projects as well. Win-win.
I want a 40 Series but they are simply unavailable here so have had to settle for a '62 CJ3B Willys. (Ex military so technically an M606) originally donated to SA by the kind taxpayers of the US of A. Thanks guys!! I am building it specifically for a trip along the Skeleton Coast of Namibia. Trip is bare bones - nothing but what was vailable in the '40s/50s. So no LED lights, electric tire pumps etc. Paraffin lamps, stirrup pumps etc. Should be fun.
( Link to similar trip as planned : )
MY '62 CJ3B
As they say in the classics : "Thaaat's All Folks!"
Stunning vehicles and video!
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
