Where I've been hiding

It's been far too long since I took a moment to update the blog. Been working on a few things with the m38 squeezed in when I can. 

We last left off with me healing from a replacement ICD implant to keep my heart running, and me finishing off my alternator conversion.  

In February I managed to get my license reinstated, right about the same time as the worst snowstorm of the season. 

To put my ICD to the test, I had to partially dig my TJ out of a snowbank, inflate (and change ultimately) the front passenger tire. Once I had air in the tire I dropped it in four low and it pulled itself out of the snowbank ready for action. 

Life sort of got in the way for a bit, in a good way. Some travel and family time while we waited out the winter.

 

 

April saw my son and I out take out our RC 4x4's. I've had the TJ for years and had to order in some new NiCad batteries, and his is fancy with USB charging and four wheel steering. I taught him all about poser shots on a rock in the yard. 

 

 

 

In May and June I jumped back into the disc brake conversion on the m38. I've buttoned all the lines up and everything is connected, I only need to add fluid and bleed them at this point. I am working towards getting some clamps on the frame to hold the lines in place and prevent them bouncing around the frame rails

 

I've now completed a fuel pump block off, replacing the block of wood (I am dead serious) that a previous owner had made. I had to replace the oil line from the block to the filter, as the one there blew itself apart during a test fire. Yes, a test fire. With the fuel system complete, I hooked up a small tank, primed the carb, and fired up the engine. 
It developed oil pressue, the alternator started charging, and everything ran perfectly. I was happy as can be. 

 

 

 

  

Electrical Work - Personal and on a Jeep

With the cold weather, and well, life, my progress on the m38 has slowed a bit. I was due for an ICD (Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator) replacement which was going to put me on light duty for a few weeks while I healed up, so my wife kicked me to the garage (my happy place). 

I took the time to tackle the remaining wiring and mounting for my GM alternator conversion. I built the brackets earlier (Read about that here). I was never satisfied with the upper mount, so I had to come up with a better and more solid solution. A convenient piece of tube and a switch from threaded rod with nuts to a bolt really changed it for the better. 

 

 For the wiring, rather than a dash light, I wired a diode inline to excite the alternator when the ignition coil is engaged. The diode will prevent feedback when I shut it off. A short universal battery cable from Princess Auto completed the wiring to the positive on the battery. Don't be like me, remember it goes to the Batt terminal, not the ground bolt on the alternator (Yeah, that was fun)

 

All my cables are routed and neatly bundled with fabric wiring harness tape. I decided to try it out after a segment in a video from Sarah-n-Tuned. Seems like it may hold up better than electric tape under the hood.