What is this? Dimond in the very ruff?

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This is motivating for sure. As mentioned before, next time I feel like whining about my shop setup, I will read back through this thread. It looks you have great help however. I have a hard time finding a decent machine shop where I am at, what options are available to you? Best of luck with everything.
 
Cool story!

Cylinders #'s 3,4,5 have all digested glow plugs.
#3 looks bad. The concern is the piston top may be structurally compromised from crushing the glow plug against the head, over & over. Also, it may have distorted the ring land if damage is close to the edge.

Another concern, irrespective of GP damage, is whether the pistons are simply worn out. The pistons and cylinder bores need measured with a micrometer to see if the piston/cylinder clearance is beyond tolerance.

The head may also be very damaged at #3 cylinder. If you can't clean & crack test yourself, then the pistons, head & block should be cleaned and taken to an engine machine shop that has the tools & knowledge to measure & evaluate the parts.
 
Hi everyone. Sorry for the long absence. I spent 4 1/2 weeks out in the bush visiting some of the pastors, and the last few weeks trying to catchup from being gone. The trip was fantastic my LJ78 performed great!! I got into some very extreme places, with the help of the rear lokka, winch, and a lot of kind villagers.

The work on the Hj47 has progressed some what.

Trevor, in my absence has completely sanded down the frame, and it is ready to paint.

The rebuild kit arrived from OZ last week, but before we put it all back together I wanted a true mechanic to look at the crankshaft, block.......
Trevor and I loaded all the bits in the back of the the big truck to have Joey the mechanic in Mt Hagen.
Joey looked it all over, about 2hr worth of calipers, strait edges and the like. We ended up with 3 pistons to replace, polishing the crankshaft, grinding the valves, and a few other things.
The very best part is that, Joey and his #1 Benoit are teaching Trevor the rebuild proses, and doing the work for free!!
So here is a few pictures of the proses so far.

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The plan is to finish on Monday and do a bench start!

Chad Wells
 
Here is a few pictures of the boys working on the frame.
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Chad Wells
 
Good on you for doing more with less. Interesting build and especially the pics of Cruisers lying around everywhere.
I love it! The boys will never forget this time, and learn a lot in the process. Thank you for what you do in P.N.G. God bless.
Frank
 
Great stuff - memories! How old are the boys?

Connor working on the front is 11 Derrick is 13 and Trevor is 15. All 3 are helping out but it's mostly Trevor, he is the driving force.

I don't remember where I got this picture but it was one of many that Trevor saw and said 'dad we can do that'
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Then Trevor read lostmarbles thread on painting the bonnet and repainting the fenders. His response was 'what did I get my self into'.

Chad Wells
 
:lol: Keep at it! Saving one is such a reward. Once I get seats mounted, I will be able to do my first neighborhood shakedown run!
I enjoy these builds.

Posted from a brick.
 
We are in town (mt Hagen) this week building some cabinets for another missionary, so Trevor and I took some time out on Saturday to find a front windshield and starter we found both from this hj45 in the back ground. A mechanic told me that he saw this hj45 in a village about 6 years ago. It took about 45 min to get out to the village, well worth the trip.
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Chad Wells
 
Being that we are in town for the week, and have good internet access, my boys and I have been watching some 4-wheel drive videos. We really like the look and functionality of a spring over axle conversion. I've read, and seen, what a few guys have done here, on Mud. But, knowing our remoteness and situation I just wanted to know if you guys had any advice. Like what parts actually need to be replaced in the steering, etc. It seems that I have read conflicting stories.
You guys are a great encouragement and an unbelievable source of information. Thank you so much for helping with our build.

Chad Wells
 
My reply would be: Don't! You're in a place where reliability is important, and not where 4-wheeling is just recreational... The original design work, and work well, and keeps working. Any mods will compromise the original design. It can be done well, and be dependable, but in most cases mods deduct from reliability.

Besides it will be worth more - not only now - original.

Finally; you are saving a piece of motoring history in PNG, keep it original.

(damn, it's a cool build!!!)
 
Chad
Great project for the young to learn how to rebuild a car. I'm in OZ and have a few parts from a hj45 I'm parting out what are some of the smaller parts you need so I can post over if I still have them . I have a dash, and most switches etc if that would help. Send a pm if your OK with that.
 
Chad
Great project for the young to learn how to rebuild a car. I'm in OZ and have a few parts from a hj45 I'm parting out what are some of the smaller parts you need so I can post over if I still have them . I have a dash, and most switches etc if that would help. Send a pm if your OK with that.

That sounds great I will send a pm

Chad Wells
 
Well the engine rebuild is finished. I forgot to bring in the fuel return line so we couldn't do a bench start. It all came together nicely. Trevor and I learned a lot. The next one, we will do proper with all new parts. This time is 'on the cheap'.
Here are a few mor pictures

Putting the head together
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Head gasket
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Chad Wells
 
Trevor saw this troopy at the junk yard. Out side not in the junk yard. This is the color he wants to paint the hj47. It's a metallic green, we think it will look great with black wheels.
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Chad Wells
 
Ok guys I'm contemplating two upgrades that I think would be very useful and be easiest with everything torn down. First a spring over conversion, second a power steering upgrade.
The soa seams like a great upgrade, if done right. With better clearance, and more articulation. Not sure if there is any draw backs????
The power steering seems like a good thing but is not as straight forward. Better steering in the bush is always a good thing. Witch one takes less part mods the 60 conversion, or the mini truck conversion?
Obviously any mod or conversion that is half baked is going to be trouble. I don't need that.

Chad Wells
 
monke south said:
Connor working on the front is 11 Derrick is 13 and Trevor is 15. All 3 are helping out but it's mostly Trevor, he is the driving force.

I don't remember where I got this picture but it was one of many that Trevor saw and said 'dad we can do that'

Then Trevor read lostmarbles thread on painting the bonnet and repainting the fenders. His response was 'what did I get my self into'.

Chad Wells

I may be confusing this for another but I believe this is one of the UAE ones specter brought in (or Bruno did to be precise). I think it went to Salt Lake City first and then to South Carolina where it is now.
 
Definitely subscribing to this one. Great work. I love to see thrown out cruisers rebuilt. I do have to second the other poster about the spring over. Personally, if you want to lift it, do it with springs. Spring overs are cheaper, but like he said, reliability is key. If mine breaks in a mall parking lot, that's one thing, but if yours breaks in the jungle, that could be bad. Just my $.02. And that's about what it's worth. Power steering, on the other hand, would be a great mod. The old Armstrong steering is a nice workout, though.
 
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