This morning, I did some troubleshooting on two of three the electrical issues I had experienced last night. First thing I looked at was the right turn signal issue. It was due to a loose bulb. It doesn't lock into the socket very well, and as a result, worked itself loose. So, I put a dab of silicone sealer on the side of the bulb, and inserted it back into the socket.
The next thing I looked at was the issue of the headlights suddenly not working. That one took about 5 seconds to figure out. One half of a connector, which connects the main power feed wire to the headlight relay harness, broke apart for no apparent reason. I sent an email with pics to the manufacturer, which fortunately is a small operation.

It was time to drive the Jeep outside the neighborhood, and venture out to further test its reliability. So this morning, I manned up and drove it to the 4 Wheel Parts store to pick up a pair of recovery D-rings for the rear bumper. It was a humid 80º outside. I am pleased to report that I made it home with no problems. I learned a couple of things from this trip:

• The engine actually cools down at a stoplight, by as much as 15º. That's a good thing.
• The trans runs hot after driving a while, sometimes reaching as high as 225º. It seems like it gets hotter at a stoplight. It will cool back down to around 195º-210º when the Jeep is moving down the road. I haven't confirmed if the thermostatically controlled trans cooler fan is turning on by itself or not. I turned it on with the manual switch, just to make sure it was on. That's still running hotter than I'd expect it to.
• When I pulled into the driveway and turned the ignition off, the engine kept running! I forgot to turn off the trans cooler fan. When I turned it off, the engine shut off. I definitely have a backfeed issue there. Not something I need to fix immediately, but something to look at after Jeep Beach.

My Jeep is stepping into the modern age! The Quick Fuel 680 cfm carb is going to be replaced with a Holley Terminator EFI setup. I'm not going to let it sit in the box, the installation starts tomorrow!

Very Cool!

Some EFI progress pics. I was in Tennessee for a week, which put a halt to the progress. I'm hoping to have the EFI installation wrapped up by the weekend.
Except for the main electrical connection, all of the hookups to the throttle body are done. I had to relocate the fuel pressure regulator to the inner fender panel. I added a check valve to the fuel return line, below the regulator.







This is the second (mini) radiator I'm going to install. It's made for a Kawasaki KFX700. My radiator is not quite up to the task of keeping my engine cool. This mini rad will increase cooling capacity by 29%. A Spal 9" paddle fan will pull air through it. The heater hoses will be routed to it. I think I can live without a heater in Florida. One of the hose nipples on it had to be relocated.

Here is the mini rad and fan temporarily installed. The fan motor clears the underside of the hood by 2.25".

Today, I finished up the Holley Terminator EFI installation. The only thing left to do is re-install the thermostat, and put the coolant back in the radiator. Speaking of radiator, the mini rad is fully installed as well. I've got the 10" Spal fan wired so it is thermostatically controlled by the Terminator ECM.

Today was judgement day. It was time to find out if my installation of the Holley Terminator EFI kit was a success, or a failure. After following the Holley Terminator EFI setup instructions to a TEE, I turned the key, and she roared to life! It ran for about 5 seconds, then sputtered and stalled. I waited a minute, tried again, and that time, it held an idle. I could smell that it was running rich at first, but it was interesting to watch the AFR creep closer and closer to matching the Target AFR. I'm watching a computer learn before my very eyes! I've been a carb guy all my life, so it was fascinating to watch a computer do all the tuning work! It really was as trouble-free of a first start as one could hope for! Unfortunately, it's pouring down rain here in central Florida, but hopefully I'll be able to take it for a drive tomorrow. I revved it a few times, and wow, the throttle response is instantaneous! Nothing like what the old carb had! I'm happy as a clam! Time for a well deserved beer!

Thank you Sir for sharing your build. You're an inspiration to me - and I'm sure many other members - with our projects. You are one talented craftsman and I appreciate watching and learning along your journey, thank you.

Would you please post some overall pics now that you're done? Nice side pic and some nice angle pics would be great!

Thanks again!

Really? Time to build something else Dave?

You got it. Although I enjoyed building the Jeep, I've come to realize that I'm not a Jeep person. I'm really more of a hot rod car guy, so that's what my next project will be geared more towards.

haven't checked in for awhile.... great build Dave. It's been fun watching it grow.

So another build thread starting soon? What's next? I enjoy your build threads. You're quite talented.

Thanks. Actually, I've already purchased a car for the next build. I don't know if you guys want to hear what it is, though.....its not a Mopar.
The Jeep is for.....well, check the classifieds here.

Spill the beans, what's the next one? Domestic or import? New or old?

Yeah, what's next?

TURBO LS YUGO

How about a 14-71 blown 528" Hemi Pro Street Volkswagen Thing? LOL Kidding aside, ever since I saw Project X roll into Tubby's Drive-In in that movie "The Hollywood Knights", I've had a fondness for '57 Chevys. My wife said if I sell the Jeep, my next project is going to be the last project, so I figured I had better do a '57 Chevy while I can. After looking for about 4 months, I bought a SUPER solid, straight and nearly rust free '57 2 door Sedan in Daytona Beach. Not a complete car, its basically a body that's already been blocked straight on an already restored frame, plus a butt load of parts.

I'm with you on that one Dave , that is my favorite shoebox from the movies ... my first car , birthday present from my parents , was a 1956 Chevy 2 door sedan. Never really did much with it but it was a blast to drive in my senior year of high school.


I really like the Roadkill '55 Hemi Gasser project, that got me thinking ...