PUBLIC FORUMS => General Discussion => Topic started by: JCJ on August 04, 2010, 08:39:33 AM
Title: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 04, 2010, 08:39:33 AM
I could use a rambling bloggy thread of my own...
I have finally ordered a welder, its a Lincoln Weld Pak 180 HD Wire Feed. I would rather have tig but I think a wire feed is more useful for the down and dirty Jeep stuff and I can always get a tig later.. So if anyone needs metal stuck together near Webster I should be set up and running early next week.. I accept IOU\'s and parts in trade, cash is not accepted
I have a hydraulic crimper so if anyone needs battery/winch cables made up we can do it.. I used 2/0 welding wire on mine and the thing crimps so tight that it fuses the wire together.. Overkill.. :-D I don\'t have much in the way of supplies but if you pick up the wire and proper terminals I\'ll crimp for free..
I purchased a used motor from BlueCJeep, cleaning it up now for paint and new gaskets.. I\'ll hopefully be throwing it in this weekend..
My kid step brother just bought a 92\' YJ so he should be joining us here and on the trails. I\'m actually kind of excited to work on it with him..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: ollllllo on August 04, 2010, 11:18:29 AM
Sound great, thanks for the offers. I might be taking you up on making some custom battery cables. Moving my batteries behind my seats, and creating a quick disconnect system in order to help make hooking up my Ready Welder easier and fool proof.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: Camo1Ton on August 04, 2010, 08:29:13 PM
Hey JCJ, awesome that you are helping out your stepbrother. Bringing someone into the sport and showing by example is a no lose for OHVing. Good luck with Scott\'s engine(hes a good guy) and thanks for the offers.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 05, 2010, 09:48:04 AM
So how do you pronounce your screen name? LOL,
Anderson plugs work great for quick connects and whatnot. Virtually no amp loss connection, cheap and dependable. The only weakness is some kinds of brake clean will ruin the plastic housing. Very common in sedan racing for battery leads and in Indycar for 12v jumper battery and 48v starter cart connections. http://www.andersonpower.com/products/multipole-connectors.html
Thanks Camo, certainly gonna have some fun, between little brother, my wife and 2 kids who are all into Jeepy stuff. Gonna be a blast.
Scott sure is a great guy, I would bet he is missed out on the trails..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 13, 2010, 09:20:19 AM
The motor has been degreased, painted, resealed, installed and running strong.. Probably the best money I\'ve spent on the Jeep.. I hope to get started cleaning up some wiring today by adding some Weather-Pac connectors so I can remove some of the various sub harness easily.
My welder has been wired to use my heavy generator cord with it own dedicated outlet next to the main circuit breaker panel. Just need to go get a gas bottle, I hate flux-core with a passion.. Any place better than Tractor Supply bottle exchange?
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: MrMindless on August 13, 2010, 09:28:05 AM
Rochester Welding may be cheaper, but it\'s pretty impossible to beat the flexibility of TSC especially if you have one close by.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: rejeep on August 13, 2010, 09:37:02 AM
I have a few boxes(25\') of 1 - 2 - 4 ga wire I appropriated from a store close...
Be happy to give you as much as you need...
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: CoraC143 on August 13, 2010, 10:38:04 AM
Erik and I prefer TS because we can go there on a weekend and after 5pm. The regular welding supply chains, Mahaney\'s, Jackson, Rochester welding, etc. have 9-5 hours. I\'ll pay for the convience of TS.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: ollllllo on August 13, 2010, 12:33:32 PM
Rochester welding in Farmington closes @ 4pm I can\'t afford to take time off of work to exchange a tank of gas. TSC is simple and easy.
Just don\'t forget your cap on the big tanks! :)
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: smichaelR22 on August 13, 2010, 03:07:17 PM
i prefer to plan ahead and pay much less at jackson welding. its also convienent for me to echange my propane tanks for the buggy and nitrogen tanks for airshocks all in one place with no questions asked.
today i picked up a 108lbs of surplus steel at Rochester Surplus, and hit Jackson on the way home to swap my mig tank, and two new propane tanks i got off ebay for the first time in less than a lunch hour. also picked up a few flap wheels, $3.90 they are the best price and product i have found anywhere.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 13, 2010, 08:09:01 PM
Quote
rejeep wrote: I have a few boxes(25\') of 1 - 2 - 4 ga wire I appropriated from a store close...
Be happy to give you as much as you need...
Thank you, much appreciated.. I think I\'m set at the moment for wire and whatnot, My last, short lived career was the Tool Warehouse Manager for a large electrical company in Indy, before that I ran the owners race team.. When he closed up the race shop I was given our entire inventory and had free rain of the electrical stuff at the warehouse..
Thanks for the info on bottles.. I guess I need to price shop and see what the difference is.. TS nearest me is Ontario, not far but still a drive..
Gonna have to check out Rochester Surplus.. I need to get some 2x2 for a tire rack and some flat plate to fix the classic rot spot on my CJ frame.. And then maybe start working on a boat hoist..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: bluecjeep on August 14, 2010, 09:02:51 PM
Hey John, i exchange my tanks at Danes welding on 104. It is a little closer than TSC. I never realized TSC had the tanks. Danes is open on Saturdays but not evenings during the week.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 15, 2010, 01:56:14 PM
Quote
bluecjeep wrote: Hey John, i exchange my tanks at Danes welding on 104. It is a little closer than TSC. I never realized TSC had the tanks. Danes is open on Saturdays but not evenings during the week.
Thanks Scott, I\'ll give them a look..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: MrMindless on August 15, 2010, 06:25:29 PM
I just campared notes on tank exchange prices between TSC and Rochester welding - more than twice the price for exchange and the initial cost is significantly more too. You pay for that 7 days a week convinience.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 15, 2010, 06:51:30 PM
Quote
MrMindless wrote: I just campared notes on tank exchange prices between TSC and Rochester welding - more than twice the price for exchange and the initial cost is significantly more too. You pay for that 7 days a week convinience.
Thank you Sir, you can bet I\'ll find the time during the day to hit up RW or a similar type place.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 22, 2010, 08:03:54 AM
Yesterday I made a 600 miles round trip to Medina, OH, meeting the wife halfway to pick up my kids and a load of crap that wouldn\'t fit in our moving truck.. (wife is still teaching in Indiana until our house sells)
My CJ, towing an empty trailer was a gutless pile of crap.. No top end power and drinking gas like crazy.. 10 mpg was the best I got.. It feels great around town, kinda flat off the line on a hill but good otherwise. No felt difference between loaded and unloaded.. kinda strange,,
I pulled over and bumped the timing up by ear. Seat of the pants it was a 25% improvement.. When I installed the distributor I hit it at 5\' btdc and left it, my setup calls for 6... I ran my old motor at 10 - 12 but needed 91 octane on hot days.
If the rain ever stops I intend to prove the harmonic balancer timing mark at TDC, check and reset timing. Then do a compression test.. The cam looked great when I had the pan off and it sounds healthy but who knows? Water temp and oil pressure are dead nuts perfect..
According to my air fuel ratio meter my mixture is good but I will go through the carb and make sure nothing is clogged, broke, etc..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 24, 2010, 08:30:23 PM
The harmonic balancer is spun by better than 10 degrees making my initial timing 6\' ATDC.. Much better now :-D I really should have checked that during initial setup like I normally do.. I got lazy but hopefully not burned..
Anyone have any input on the \"new\" or reman balancers? Anything cool in the aftermarket world?
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: MrMindless on August 24, 2010, 08:40:57 PM
I though I\'d heard fluid dampers are the new hotness but that may be a diesel thing, thts about all I pay attention to these days.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on August 26, 2010, 08:21:31 AM
Quote
MrMindless wrote: I though I\'d heard fluid dampers are the new hotness but that may be a diesel thing, thts about all I pay attention to these days.
Fluid dampers have been the shnizzle in my circle for a long time.. Have run them on all GT-1/Trans-AM Chevy and Dodge race motors as well as on a 240z EP. Unfortunately, without a good lathe at my disposal converting one for the Jeep is out of reach..
I\'m going to check out the one on my old motor as a temp band-aid until I figure out the long term solution. I have some fear of the bad balancer coming apart and tearing things up..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on September 23, 2010, 02:40:59 PM
I picked up a new aftermarket harmonic balancer off of a fellow Jeeper. Looks really nice,, hopefully it\'s not a pile of Taiwanese crap..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: ollllllo on September 23, 2010, 10:20:09 PM
That is some interesting info. I might have to check a few other motors for the same issue. Hadn\'t crossed my mind. Thanks
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on September 25, 2010, 08:06:55 PM
I finally fired up the welder today. I never got around to getting a bottle for it so fluxcore was the flavor of the day. Amazingly enough it works really well. And although I was welding on a fairly low setting I\'m happy to confirm my extension cord and panel wiring are good , so far. I\'m wondering if my 2 previous bad experiences with fluxcore were due to the polarity set wrong? I didn\'t own or maintain either machine, just took it for granted they had been setup properly.
Anyways, a few months ago I replaced my exhaust from the manifold back with a new Walker non cat system for a 78. The supplied tail pipe from the axle back was crap so I cut it and left it pointing down just past the axle. I was able to cut about 2\" off of the bend and index it about 60* from stock. A couple of tacks, a little wire brush action and a decent bead around the joint and I\'m happy.. I hosed down the entire tailpipe and clamp mount with some leftover BBQ paint for rust protection and bling factor.
I\'m going to give the flux a try for awhile, much more practical welding outside etc.. Should be just fine for my upcoming frame repair. (Classic CJ around the rear spring hanger) I\'ll maybe get the bottle when I have a project that I want really pretty without grinding and probably need the gas with any sheet metal work..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on October 14, 2010, 06:34:20 PM
With the water pump pulley on you would never know..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: ollllllo on October 14, 2010, 08:25:31 PM
thats crazy!
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: smichaelR22 on October 14, 2010, 10:11:07 PM
258? i had a small learning experience and took a standard gear puller to mine when i rebuilt my CJ5. Ebay got me a new one in good shape for 25$ to my door they are pretty common on there.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on October 14, 2010, 11:50:03 PM
yep, 258. So you learned what the inside of one looks like huh? :-D
I bought a brand new one for $60, made in Taiwan.. I rented a pretty decent puller from Advanced Auto. I replaced the seal and flushed the cooling system while I had the rad out. Should be good for a while..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on October 18, 2010, 09:01:58 PM
We got a decent offer on our house in Brownsburg tonight..
If everything works out we will be closing on Nov 29th.. :zoooom:
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: CoraC143 on October 18, 2010, 09:12:57 PM
Wohoo!!! Congrats! Can\'t wait to meet Mrs JCJ
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: ollllllo on October 18, 2010, 09:19:17 PM
yea...good luck Fingers Crossed!
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on October 18, 2010, 10:14:40 PM
Thanks guys, She\'ll be out getting dirty with us before long..
Gears and lockers as soon as the check clears.... :bounce:
Both kids are still going on and on about yesterday, we all had a blast.. I\'m amazed they didn\'t fight or piss and moan once all day. 13 hours is a new record for them, the previous being about 3 hours.
Nicholas, my younger one was already sold on the whole club deal before lunch but the RC Rover prize put him over the top.. He\'s been driving it all night, inside and out practicing for the RC crawler that I am apparently getting for him now..
I really appreciate all of your hard work on planning such a great ride. We\'re all looking forward to the next play day.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: Wingman on October 19, 2010, 05:58:32 AM
May it sell without a hitch!
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on October 29, 2010, 09:55:58 AM
So far, so good on the sale. Inspection was yesterday, according to our agent nothing was found that scares them away. No nickle and dime game, so we should be good.. but my fingers are still crossed. thanks for the well wishes..
I guess I missed another meeting. somebody didn\'t email me to remind me.. :lol1: My oldest is all concerned that we will get a bad rap for only showing up for the fun stuff.. He also want\'s to let Cora know her book is safe and sound.. we will make it to join sooner or later..
I\'m looking for recommendations from the crew on a 4x4 daily driver for the wife, 3rd vehicle for when the CJ dies on me. We need room for the 4 of us +2 dogs. Would also like to limit salt rot on her xi (why the hell did we get a AWD sedan that she doesn\'t want to drive in the snow?)
She\'s keen on a used Volvo X-Country, I don\'t wanna work on it or pay for parts. My old man loves his non descript boring Xterra, consumer reports rates it great, decent towing capacity (5k I think). I\'m leaning towards a Cherokee of some flavor, could nudge her into some light mods and wheeling action with it..
thoughts, suggestions?
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: CoraC143 on October 29, 2010, 11:50:24 AM
I wheeled an Xterra for 7 years. I would buy a JK, and not an Xterra. I can tell you more later, got to get back to work.
Here is what my X used to look like......
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: ollllllo on October 29, 2010, 11:51:20 AM
I really enjoyed the Ford Edge. VanBortel had some lease trade-ins and some loaded demos for great prices. AWD and tons of room.
Grand Cherokee is a good option as well. More options for parts upgrades, V8\'s, and mild wheeling. I\'m sold!
I know of a loaded 2008 with 24k miles that just sold for 23k.
Xterra is kinda tight for family of 4 and 2 dogs! Lol
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: smichaelR22 on October 29, 2010, 12:47:14 PM
is your email updated on your account? i usually send out a notice the day before a meeting to remind everyone...
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on October 29, 2010, 01:44:07 PM
It sure should have been, I re entered it just to be sure..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on November 03, 2010, 12:02:26 PM
Maybe a dumb question but that has never stopped me..
How much bigger is the interior of a Grand Cherokee compared to a regular Cherokee? I\'m not a big fan of the looks of a stock Grand, kinda frumpy soccermom\'ish without tires and a little lift. We run a Thule capsule on the wife\'s 330xi so cargo room really isn\'t an issue beyond the dogs.
What years should I look for or run away from in the 5-8k price range?
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: ollllllo on November 03, 2010, 11:20:55 PM
mike he is not a member yet? will he get the email reminder?
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: MrMindless on November 04, 2010, 08:28:33 AM
Nope, not a member, and I think we\'ve just been sending the meeting reminders to actual paid club members. I sent a message to all users last night and that takes a long while.... it only will chew on them 100 at a time.
[/hijack]
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on November 12, 2010, 10:28:42 PM
Got the T-5 installed earlier this week, still need to sort out both drive shafts. The stock rear is OK, just needs new U-joints. Scott (bluecjeep) has a Tom Woods CV shaft that I think will fit. I haven\'t measured the pinion angle but it certainly looks like the pinion points directly at the output shaft.
The stock front is bent better than an inch, didn\'t bother installing it. Scott has a Tom woods front but it\'s a short travel spline and I need a long travel for the shackle reversal.
Should I,
A) Buy them both and get the front shaft modified by Fleetpride or Ontario Drive Shaft for long travel if it\'s even possible and economically feasible?
B)Buy the rear and have FP or ODS make me a new front?
C)Replace the U-joints on the existing rear shaft and have FP or ODS make a new long travel front?
D) Order 2 new shafts from FP, ODS, Tom Woods or Dennys?
What say y\'all?
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: MrMindless on November 14, 2010, 05:47:50 PM
Depends how deep your pockets are...
I think I\'d put new joints in the TW shaft and run it in the rear. On the front, to go from short to long slip about all you get to reuse is one yoke. Probably $50ish or a bit less. The rest will all need to be new anyway. I think that makes me suggest C.
OEM (not ODS) makes a really sick \"rock crusher\" shaft that is definitely what I\'d go for in a long slip application if I could cough up the money. http://www.ontarioengine.com/driveline_unbreakable.php
(thumbnails aren\'t showing now, but if you click the full size pic will load)
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on November 14, 2010, 08:14:41 PM
C it is,, thanks for the advise, pockets are deep but not very full at the moment..
Scott\'s DS are both too long by a few inches,
Put new Spicers in my rear, will order a long travel front and get my rear modified for CV or change my pinion angle..
I\'ve got a slight vibration under decel that is new since changing the trans and spring/pinion shims. My guess is that it\'s the trans but wishfully hoping it\'s just the pinion angle??
My oldest kid decided Friday that he was going to be the HS JV hockey goalie so I\'ve got a buttload of equipment to buy (because most of mine is too big for him) before I do much more on the CJ.. and OBTW dad, my first practice is Monday and I told them you could be the assistant coach..
It\'s a good thing I\'m trying to be retired, between the VFD and this hockey crap it doesn\'t look like I\'ll have much time to myself..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: CoraC143 on November 15, 2010, 09:53:17 AM
Play it again sports, in henrietta.
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on November 15, 2010, 10:36:17 AM
Thanks Cora, we are actually headed there after school and then on to Perani\'s in Rochester.
We have a Play it Again here in Webster, they don\'t have much and what they do have is way over priced.. amateurs.. Hopefully the Henrietta store will be a little better.
Looks like I\'m off the hook for coaching, at least for now..
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: CoraC143 on November 15, 2010, 05:33:27 PM
I still have my gear from being a keeper back in the day at RIT. I can lend him my pads if you can\'t find a decent set this week. I think they are 31.\" I will have to take that Calatrava book and the promise of his first born as leverage :) But I think he is more your height than mine at 5\'6\". Skates - no fit, but I have a nice set of gloves he can borrow too. I really miss playing. Watch out coaching, you might get hooked again. I plan on playing after I graduate, not sure if I will play goalie or forward. Hockey is a great sport, he\'s a little old to be getting into it, but maybe he can just have fun playing and not the pressures of super-competitive hockey. I\'m totally looking forward to a beer league where the score doesn\'t matter anymore and there are no coaches screaming at you!
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on November 15, 2010, 07:45:40 PM
Thank you Cora, your very generous.. I believe we\'ve got it covered for now.. He is using my skates, pants, chest, neck guard and gloves. We have borrowed a set of 35\" pads from last years goalie who graduated, he also gave CJ 2 mint sticks. Tonight I bought him a pretty bitchen Eddy mask on clearance for $200 and a double goalie cup for $70 from Perani\'s. The Henrietta Play it again had some decent stuff but still kinda pricy for used, Perani\'s actually had some deals..
I\'m off the hook on coaching, fine by me.. But as far as getting hooked again? I never stopped, been playing since I was 4. I do tourneys in Montreal and Vancouver 3 or 4 times a year. Got grampa geared up to pay for a goalie camp or two for him this summer and will get him in some summer and spring leagues. He\'s played hockey for years and has had a little experience in goal. He is the heir apparent to start varsity next season, or so says the guys on the team, so he better get his :censor: together pretty quickly..
I apologize for having not returned your book yet, I would be more than happy to run it down to you whenever it\'s convenient for you guys.. Or harass the hell out of me so I actually show up at the next meeting.. ;-))
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: CoraC143 on November 15, 2010, 09:46:41 PM
Well the next meeting is voting, and I\'m nominated for vice prez ;)
No worries on the book, I hope he is inspired. There is sooooooo much more in the world of architecture and structural engineering. Mechanical is all numbers and pretty boring.
I\'ve been playing ice hockey since I was 5, went to one of the best prep schools for hockey on the east coast, played NCAA division 3 for RIT for one year, that was enough. Being 3rd string goalie with the starter only one year ahead of me and waaaaay better, I called it. I loved playing forward, but I am a much better goalie. Oh well. I never chose between the two, kept playing both. Maybe that\'s why most of the girls I played with for years, most went D1, one even played in the Olympics. ... anyways I love the sport, and can\'t wait to play it for FUN again :)
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: CoraC143 on November 15, 2010, 09:49:15 PM
And you should totally come to the meeting to meet some more members!
Title: Re: Welder and other stuff
Post by: JCJ on November 15, 2010, 11:19:08 PM
I do plan on coming to the next meeting, and joining even, just like I planned on coming to the last four... I just need a constant kick in the ass. :hammer:
Choate for me.. Came real close to playing for UNH.. shoulda woulda coulda..
Well, here he is.. dropped glove shoulder and all..
