1978 Jeep Cherokee in Arvada, Colorado ID-10347
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Insert date: 21 jul 2016
1978 AMC Jeep Cherokee "S" Wide Track!
I'm a car collector with too many projects...I'm thinning out my collection to increase the chances of completing more projects. This Jeep, unfortunately for me, is one of the projects I've decided to move on to someone else who can dedicate the time/money necessary to bring it back to greatness!
I purchased this Jeep on EBAY in 2007 out of Washington and had it transported out to CO. Upon it's arrival, I discovered the 360 V8 engine had already developed the infamous AMC camshaft/lifter issue (where the cams on the shaft wear down to nothing, causing alot of valve noise and eventually a valve will fail to operate). I set the Jeep aside, concentrating on other projects. Early this year, I decided it was finally time to tackle the Jeep and I replaced the camshaft, lifters, timing components, timing cover, oil pump components, water pump, radiator, heater core (I always replace those three items together, even if they're in serviceable condition), hoses, belts, etc. Once the engine was back together, I rebuilt the original Motorcraft 2100 2 bbl. carburetor and fired it up. The 360 immediately ran...but there were numerous cylinders making loud noises...I shut it down and discovered bent push rods in 5 out of 8 cylinders (valves stuck closed). I worked with the valves a bit, replaced the bent push rods, and re-fired the engine. It ran GREAT. A few days later, I came out and fired it again...two cylinders stuck again...two more push rods bent. I replaced those, worked the valves and ran the motor again (hoping the infamous sticking-valve issue would clear itself up)...again, it ran great.
But, a couple of days later, an exact repeat.
The bottom line: this 360 will need the heads rebuilt (an unfortunately common AMC V8 problem when an engine sits for a long period of time). I've dedicated enough time to this rig and I've got 10 other projects waiting, so I'm moving on and someone else can finish this worthy project!
Pictures will tell the story regarding the over-all condition of this great truck, but having purchased numerous vehicles from EBAY in the past, I always appreciated detailed descriptions of the vehicles I was considering, so here are the details:
The powertrain (360 V8 2bbl and a turbo-hydromatic 400 automatic transmission and Quadratrac full-time 4wd system) is in good shape overall. The only known problem with any of it is the sticking valve(s) in the motor. I have driven this truck around the yard, but it hasn't been on the road for at least 9-10 years, so the operating condition of the power disc brakes, power steering system, etc. is unknown beyond these short drives. This Jeep was ordered with the optional low-range 4wd unit as well!
Exterior Condition:
•Front bumper - good condition, just needs polishing
•Front "Razor" grille - good condition, black has faded (as normal)
•Headlamp bezels - good condition, just need polishing
•Hood - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side fender - good condition with minor rust starting on the mounting flange, faded/worn paint
•Driver-side fender flare - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side door - good condition with faded/worn paint and a NOS chrome exterior mirror, door handle is pitted but serviceable
•Driver-side rocker - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side 1/4 panel - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side rear fender flare - small amount of rust through at bottom edges (normal for the Wide-Track)
•Tailgate - decent condition with normal rust through at bottom near the hinges on both sides, some rusting at bottom of floor inside tailgate
•Rear power window works great and glass is good
•Rear bumper - good condition with minor bend at the jack support hole on passenger-side...passenger-side needs straightened
•Tail-lights - good condition lenses and good bezels
•Passenger-side 1/4 panel - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Passenger-side rear fender flare - some rust through at bottom edges (covered with rust converter to discourage further damage)
•Passenger-side door - good condition with faded/worn paint...chrome mirror is pitted, as is the door handle
•Passenger-side rocker panel - dented but otherwise good condition with faded/worn paint
•Passenger-side fender - good condition with minor dent directly in front of door, faded/worn paint
•Passenger-side front fender flare - dented (flattened), small amount of rust at back edge
•Roof - good condition with worn paint and surface rusting...previous owner installed an XM radio antenna up there (?)
•All glass is good (including windshield)
•All original Jeep wheels are in decent shape (could use repainting) and caps are all there.
•All tires have decent tread but are OLD!
This truck hasn't been on the road in a decade, I don't recommend driving this home! Please plan to have it transported/trailered!
Interior Condition:
•Original Jeep "Sport" steering wheel in good condition with good-condition horn cap
•Original speedometer, all other gauges are NOS Jeep gauges
•Previous owner cut the dash to install a CD stereo
•A digital clock from a newer full-size Jeep has been installed in the dash...not connected from what I can see
•New (plastic) glovebox liner installed (just needs to be screwed in)...reprinted owner's manual in the glovebox
•Ashtray is from a junkyard Jeep...broken face but better than a hole in the dash
•Door panels in decent condition...previous owner installed door speakers, otherwise could just use detailing
•Previous owner removed carpet from the seating area and sprayed the floor with black paint/coating...there is some surface rust on the floor, but no rust through...needs carpet though
•Headliner in the front area is in excellent shape...previous owner removed from cargo area (?)
•All interior side panels are in great shape and original bumper jack is in the PS storage compartment
•Front seats are worn/torn (previous owner installed the black/red covers)...back seat is in excellent shape and the original plastic strap to hold the back seat up is still there and in good shape!
Over-all, the interior of the Jeep is in good condition considering it's a 38-year-old rig!
Please check out the photos, and ask any questions.
New parts installed this year:
•Headlamp switch
•Headlight dimmer switch
•Ignition cylinder
•Radiator (brand new)
•Water pump
•Timing set/chain
•Timing cover
•Thermostat
•Upper and lower radiator hoses
•Heater core
•Heater hoses
•Distributor
•Rebuilt original carburetor
•Ignition control module
•Starter motor
•Alternator
•Belts (all)
•Coil
•Starter solenoid
•Battery cables
•Valve cover gaskets
•Camshaft (Sealed Power)
•Valve lifters (Sealed Power)
•Pushrods and rocker arms
The good: Quadratrac system (unmodified) WITH the optional low-range unit
Better-than-average condition with no goofy modifications
GREAT POTENTIAL!
The bad: Engine needs head-work (avg. $350 in Denver metro area to rebuild those heads)
No battery included (I will put one in to get the truck on a transport, but will not leave it in)
It probably goes without saying, but this vehicle is being sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS...no warranties/guarantees are implied!
I'm a car collector with too many projects...I'm thinning out my collection to increase the chances of completing more projects. This Jeep, unfortunately for me, is one of the projects I've decided to move on to someone else who can dedicate the time/money necessary to bring it back to greatness!
I purchased this Jeep on EBAY in 2007 out of Washington and had it transported out to CO. Upon it's arrival, I discovered the 360 V8 engine had already developed the infamous AMC camshaft/lifter issue (where the cams on the shaft wear down to nothing, causing alot of valve noise and eventually a valve will fail to operate). I set the Jeep aside, concentrating on other projects. Early this year, I decided it was finally time to tackle the Jeep and I replaced the camshaft, lifters, timing components, timing cover, oil pump components, water pump, radiator, heater core (I always replace those three items together, even if they're in serviceable condition), hoses, belts, etc. Once the engine was back together, I rebuilt the original Motorcraft 2100 2 bbl. carburetor and fired it up. The 360 immediately ran...but there were numerous cylinders making loud noises...I shut it down and discovered bent push rods in 5 out of 8 cylinders (valves stuck closed). I worked with the valves a bit, replaced the bent push rods, and re-fired the engine. It ran GREAT. A few days later, I came out and fired it again...two cylinders stuck again...two more push rods bent. I replaced those, worked the valves and ran the motor again (hoping the infamous sticking-valve issue would clear itself up)...again, it ran great.
But, a couple of days later, an exact repeat.
The bottom line: this 360 will need the heads rebuilt (an unfortunately common AMC V8 problem when an engine sits for a long period of time). I've dedicated enough time to this rig and I've got 10 other projects waiting, so I'm moving on and someone else can finish this worthy project!
Pictures will tell the story regarding the over-all condition of this great truck, but having purchased numerous vehicles from EBAY in the past, I always appreciated detailed descriptions of the vehicles I was considering, so here are the details:
The powertrain (360 V8 2bbl and a turbo-hydromatic 400 automatic transmission and Quadratrac full-time 4wd system) is in good shape overall. The only known problem with any of it is the sticking valve(s) in the motor. I have driven this truck around the yard, but it hasn't been on the road for at least 9-10 years, so the operating condition of the power disc brakes, power steering system, etc. is unknown beyond these short drives. This Jeep was ordered with the optional low-range 4wd unit as well!
Exterior Condition:
•Front bumper - good condition, just needs polishing
•Front "Razor" grille - good condition, black has faded (as normal)
•Headlamp bezels - good condition, just need polishing
•Hood - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side fender - good condition with minor rust starting on the mounting flange, faded/worn paint
•Driver-side fender flare - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side door - good condition with faded/worn paint and a NOS chrome exterior mirror, door handle is pitted but serviceable
•Driver-side rocker - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side 1/4 panel - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Driver-side rear fender flare - small amount of rust through at bottom edges (normal for the Wide-Track)
•Tailgate - decent condition with normal rust through at bottom near the hinges on both sides, some rusting at bottom of floor inside tailgate
•Rear power window works great and glass is good
•Rear bumper - good condition with minor bend at the jack support hole on passenger-side...passenger-side needs straightened
•Tail-lights - good condition lenses and good bezels
•Passenger-side 1/4 panel - good condition with faded/worn paint
•Passenger-side rear fender flare - some rust through at bottom edges (covered with rust converter to discourage further damage)
•Passenger-side door - good condition with faded/worn paint...chrome mirror is pitted, as is the door handle
•Passenger-side rocker panel - dented but otherwise good condition with faded/worn paint
•Passenger-side fender - good condition with minor dent directly in front of door, faded/worn paint
•Passenger-side front fender flare - dented (flattened), small amount of rust at back edge
•Roof - good condition with worn paint and surface rusting...previous owner installed an XM radio antenna up there (?)
•All glass is good (including windshield)
•All original Jeep wheels are in decent shape (could use repainting) and caps are all there.
•All tires have decent tread but are OLD!
This truck hasn't been on the road in a decade, I don't recommend driving this home! Please plan to have it transported/trailered!
Interior Condition:
•Original Jeep "Sport" steering wheel in good condition with good-condition horn cap
•Original speedometer, all other gauges are NOS Jeep gauges
•Previous owner cut the dash to install a CD stereo
•A digital clock from a newer full-size Jeep has been installed in the dash...not connected from what I can see
•New (plastic) glovebox liner installed (just needs to be screwed in)...reprinted owner's manual in the glovebox
•Ashtray is from a junkyard Jeep...broken face but better than a hole in the dash
•Door panels in decent condition...previous owner installed door speakers, otherwise could just use detailing
•Previous owner removed carpet from the seating area and sprayed the floor with black paint/coating...there is some surface rust on the floor, but no rust through...needs carpet though
•Headliner in the front area is in excellent shape...previous owner removed from cargo area (?)
•All interior side panels are in great shape and original bumper jack is in the PS storage compartment
•Front seats are worn/torn (previous owner installed the black/red covers)...back seat is in excellent shape and the original plastic strap to hold the back seat up is still there and in good shape!
Over-all, the interior of the Jeep is in good condition considering it's a 38-year-old rig!
Please check out the photos, and ask any questions.
New parts installed this year:
•Headlamp switch
•Headlight dimmer switch
•Ignition cylinder
•Radiator (brand new)
•Water pump
•Timing set/chain
•Timing cover
•Thermostat
•Upper and lower radiator hoses
•Heater core
•Heater hoses
•Distributor
•Rebuilt original carburetor
•Ignition control module
•Starter motor
•Alternator
•Belts (all)
•Coil
•Starter solenoid
•Battery cables
•Valve cover gaskets
•Camshaft (Sealed Power)
•Valve lifters (Sealed Power)
•Pushrods and rocker arms
The good: Quadratrac system (unmodified) WITH the optional low-range unit
Better-than-average condition with no goofy modifications
GREAT POTENTIAL!
The bad: Engine needs head-work (avg. $350 in Denver metro area to rebuild those heads)
No battery included (I will put one in to get the truck on a transport, but will not leave it in)
It probably goes without saying, but this vehicle is being sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS...no warranties/guarantees are implied!
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