I traded a 1950 Chevy P.U. for this Jeepster about 2 years ago – it was in nice condition… I pulled the engine (an L-134) so I could reseal it, (it leaked oil bad). It had a broken valve spring, so off with the head…AFTER 2 broken head bolts. I am very glad I had an engine lathe. I drilled out one broken head bolt with a 1/4 drill, then put the bolt back in the head and drilled out the broken bolts. I kept drilling out the broken bolt on the lathe several times until I got it to the right size. Then I used a SMALL punch and SMALL hammer to remove a few of the threads so I could start the 7/16 tape. All went very well, then with the head off, one piston was broken, you could see the top ring!!! So 4 new pistons and a ring set are next… Then there were these 3 VERY bad valve seats and guides…so off to the machine shop the block went! Out of the 8 compression rings 1 (ONE) was NOT broken, 7 were broken… All of this just for an oil leak!!!!!
This L-134 engine ran very well for all of the bad things in it. No wonder they call them “bullet proof”!!! So while the block was at the shop, I decided to paint the engine bay and everything that was close to it and in it. I put the engine back in and it looked so good, I decided to repaint the Jeepster – inside and out! 
There was NO rust anywhere! VERY LIGHT service rust only. (That’s what you get when you live in Fla. and the Jeepster is from Fla.) Floorboards are perfect; no patches, frame, fenders, inner fenders, all NO RUST or previous bondo!
I replaced the white old top with a new black one complete with side curtains, new and correct steering wheel, the new pistons, rings, head studs, gaskets, King pins in the front end, new correct hub caps, headlight rings, new complete wiring, 4 new side steps, complete clutch kit, U-joints, and many more things I can’t think of for now. I did everything myself except for the King Pins…The first Mopar show I went to after the rebuild of the Jeepster, I got a 2 foot trophy!
I love this Jeepster – it was more fun working on it. Took about a month from start to finish.
I got all my parts from KaiserWillys, except the top. You are great people to work with. NEVER any problems. Since I am done with this Jeepster, our “love” relationship will have to end for now, but it’s not really over as I am looking for another Jeepster or a Jeep Pickup, then this fun starts all over again… Thanks Mike at KaiserWillys, you’re the MAN!
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Will Matevich
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Nice Ride!…. Enjoy.
Nice Ride!…. Enjoy.
Beautiful job on the body and the original engine. These Jeepsters have real character.
Beautiful job on the body and the original engine. These Jeepsters have real character.
Wow I love the job you did it is so complete—however I truly believe that it is impossible to perform this restoration in one month—are you sure on the time frame??
Wow I love the job you did it is so complete—however I truly believe that it is impossible to perform this restoration in one month—are you sure on the time frame??
I would like to know how you drilled out broken head bolts in a engine lathe ?
I would like to know how you drilled out broken head bolts in a engine lathe ?
nice job! i am happy to see that you kept the original engine and did not stuff a 6 or 8 cyl engine under the hood. a proper restore to be sure. ps love the bonny blue!
nice job! i am happy to see that you kept the original engine and did not stuff a 6 or 8 cyl engine under the hood. a proper restore to be sure. ps love the bonny blue!
Great job ! I have an L-head too. Completly restored and runs almost every day, summer an winter.
Never been any major problem so far !
Keep going and my best regards fom
Stockholm, Sweden
/ eric
Great job ! I have an L-head too. Completly restored and runs almost every day, summer an winter.
Never been any major problem so far !
Keep going and my best regards fom
Stockholm, Sweden
/ eric
Are you sure that’s a ’50? The grille looks like it could be a “48 or ’49. Whatever it is, its surely beautiful!
Are you sure that’s a ’50? The grille looks like it could be a “48 or ’49. Whatever it is, its surely beautiful!
Awesome job Will thanks for sharing =)
Awesome job Will thanks for sharing =)
Hi Richard, I took the broken head bolt and chucked it up in the lathe, center drilled it and then drilled a 1/4 inch threw it, then I put it back into the engine ( the head is still on ) where it came out of and used it as a “drill guide” and drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the broked bolt that was in the block, then drilled the broken bolt out again on the lathe alittle bigger and replaced it back in the block and drilled again… this happen sever times until it was the right size hole for the 7/16 tap…
Hi Richard, I took the broken head bolt and chucked it up in the lathe, center drilled it and then drilled a 1/4 inch threw it, then I put it back into the engine ( the head is still on ) where it came out of and used it as a “drill guide” and drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the broked bolt that was in the block, then drilled the broken bolt out again on the lathe alittle bigger and replaced it back in the block and drilled again… this happen sever times until it was the right size hole for the 7/16 tap…
Steve Christy, The Jeepster is a 48…. I traded a “50” chevy pick up for it, I guess I did not say the year of the jeepster…
Steve Christy, The Jeepster is a 48…. I traded a “50” chevy pick up for it, I guess I did not say the year of the jeepster…
Dick Morgan, yes it did take only 1 month to do the Jeepster.. it was in great condition before I started it. it dont take long when there is NO rust, dents and all there… I live in Fla. and I dont have to waite for a nice day to work on it,… they are ALL nice days here in Fla…lol
Dick Morgan, yes it did take only 1 month to do the Jeepster.. it was in great condition before I started it. it dont take long when there is NO rust, dents and all there… I live in Fla. and I dont have to waite for a nice day to work on it,… they are ALL nice days here in Fla…lol