I have a terrible vibration and I think that it may be my stock 1939 Willys universal joints. I haven't opened up the leather boot that protects the joint but I'm wondering if anyone can guide me on the best way to rebuild it and also keep it original. Or is it better to update the shaft and universal joint? It has a little bump of horsepower so I don't want it to brake either.
Is that an Australian ute? Never saw one like that in the US. How much of a bump in horsepower? The Willys drivetrain was built to handle the power of the Willys 4 banger--it was a rugged little engine as proved in WWII Jeeps, but not a barn-burner for horsepower. Probably some place like Kanter can supply the Willys u-joints, but I'd change out the rear and driveshaft if you've got anything stronger than a stock 283 Chevy up front.
I'm restoring a mostly stock 38 Willys pickup. Its hard to find original Willys u joints, occasionally they have turned up on ebay but often in broken or parts missing. I have found hanging on to old discarded Willys parts is sometimes the best way to deal with problems like this that creep up. If you can find an old discarded original drive shaft you may be able to mix and match parts to fix your driveshaft. (Most hot rodders have no interest in original drive lines so its not too hard for find one) Sometimes simply cleaning and re lubricating the joint may fix it. Big problem is to get the leather boot to be sealed and keep the grease in the joint. Your modified Willys engine should not be too much power as to over load the u joint. I'm gonna guess some grease may be all thats required.
I will try grease first. Not a lot of horsepower but a little bigger grind cam and dual carb and a header as well as electronic ignition from a 50's Willys jeep distributer.
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