Nicolsons 1961 Willys Wagon

They are completely shot anyway to just carefully pry them out with a screwdriver.

Thanks Gremlinjeep. They are out.

How many times can you paint a car? I found the base primer, Original peacock green, white, kind of sky blue, metallic avocado green, orange, another coat of primer, dark blue and brown.

Whew! You just cannot buy this kind of fun.

Nicolson said:

Whew! You just cannot buy this kind of fun.

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You Did !! Get after it...

Ha! That I did Randy.

I bought a Lokar shifter for my TH400. I like it for the reason that it is a clean install that mimics the original shift handle. When I was looking at my 208 transfer case GM shift handle I thought that it would be nice to see if I could get them to match. I cut the head off of a bolt and mounted the shift handle on it so that it could be mounted on a lathe. The first picture shows the Lokar handle over the GM handle. After reshaping the knob I used sand paper and then some compound to bring back the finish.

I tacked in the frame perches I had made and installed the engine. Like the Novak site had suggested I achieved 5 degrees taking my readings from the intake manifold. I then realized that the GM manifold that I am using is a corrected manifold unlike many of the aftermarket manifolds we use. This means that the carburetor will set level while the engine and transmission will remain at about 3 degrees matching the plain of the rear axle differential. I removed my frame perches and made a second set locating the engine position with the intake manifold level. The rear transfer case yoke now sets at 3 degrees with about ½” transmission to tunnel floor clearance. I have adequate clearance between the front differential and oil pan and front driveshaft and starter. I also mocked up the exhaust using a walker Y pipe that brings the right side exhaust under the oil pan and joins with the left side before exiting down the left side next to the transmission bell housing. The assembly seems to work well. At this point I think I will let it sit and see if anyone one the forum notices any potential issues.

I used a laser engraver today to burn the transfer case shift pattern into my shifter knob. That worked out pretty well. I then used some white acrylic paint to color the shift pattern by painting it on with a brush… As you can see that did not work out pretty well. Next attempt might be with model paint.

Model paint works well for small details like that and is enamel so you can remove it easily for a short duration after application. I reccomend Testor's for the paint. Knob looks good otherwise!

Thanks Dale. I will give it try.

Nicolson said:

I tacked in the frame perches I had made and installed the engine. Like the Novak site had suggested I achieved 5 degrees taking my readings from the intake manifold. At this point I think I will let it sit and see if anyone one the forum notices any potential issues.

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I like your motor mounts and how they attach to the frame. I have a front plate on mine with rubber biscuits to mount it because I wanted lot of room on the sides of the engine, looking at yours I like it better.

Here's a photo of mine, sorry for the dirt and grease it's been "resting" for 4 years.

Kevin it looks like your front mount achieves the same goals that I was looking for. They are both a biscuit mount style. It looks like our engines are setting in about the same position. Adequate clearance around the engine. I see that you also are using the factory rams horn exhaust. Take a look at this Walker Y pipe. Walker part # 42087. It hugs the pan allowing some breathing room for the front driveshaft and differential.

Nicolson said:

Kevin it looks like your front mount achieves the same goals that I was looking for. They are both a biscuit mount style. It looks like our engines are setting in about the same position. Adequate clearance around the engine. I see that you also are using the factory rams horn exhaust. Take a look at this Walker Y pipe. Walker part # 42087. It hugs the pan allowing some breathing room for the front driveshaft and differential.

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I like that pipe, looks good.

I'm planning to have a 2 1/2" pipe go down each side and have the drivers side crossover between the transmission and transfer case to the pass side into a dual 2 1/2" inlet muffler then a 3" out to the rear. I'm planning on having Junior at Muffler Magic do the work.