Well it’s been another crazy few weeks at work, but finally got some time to work on the Jeep.
The original plan for this break was to cut and weld the floor pans but as the law of planning goes …there is no planning.
A few weeks ago the Jeep got really sick and as it turns out there were a few reasons that culminated into one big problem.
First - the carb had no working choke so when it got cold the engine couldn’t quite get out of bed.
Second - the acceleration dropped to zero and it would fall on its face as soon as you stepped on the gas. It would idle fine and rev at the carb fine but zero load tolerance. So no acceleration = no fun cruising time…
Third- I have been crazy embarrassed to open the hood around people because of how disgusting it was under there. Wires like spaghetti, hoses cracking, oil and Blow By (learned that term today, lol) on everything, clogged! Valve cover breather, Defunct carb, and a non-functioning PCV system.
Couple all that together and I had to postpone the floors and CLEAN UP the engine and carb!
I owe Rocky (rock Laurence) a huge! Thank you for helping me rig the carb enough to limp it home a few weeks ago.
I also owe the board a huge! thank you for their help this morning in trouble shooting my Blow by issues. I hope you guys know how amazing it is to be able to get help with something you know nothing about, and by the end of the day have a total plan to diagnose and fix the issue.
I was urged to skip trying to rebuild the carb myself and found a great deal on getting mine refurbished.
I sent my carb to “Gronkperformance”… $150 plus return shipping and I had a completely rebuilt (not just cleaned) carb in my mail box. I got it with a manual choke conversion, and it came with all the hardware, mounting adapter plate, and extremely easy to follow online instructions, photos, and information. I would also like to mention that “Gronk” was available for technical support when questions arose. Over all this was a great experience!!!
His email and web address is listed below if you would like to contact him about an upgrade kit…
gronk@gronkperformance.com and his web site is
http://www.gronkperformance.com
So I broke this into two sections… The choke conversion, and the cleanup.
Some of the before and afters are downright embarrassing. ; )
Choke Conversion:
This wasn’t crazy hard but was sort of intimidating when I opened it up.
Carb kit! so exciting
Choke conversion bits and pieces
original choke retaining bracket
removed and ready for manual assembly
new housing cap
inserted "catch tang" technical term.. lol...
set depth and check for clearance and full open/close motion
set inside pin
insert and check set outside pin...
assemble the collar and cable tension pin
align internal fork in the choke tang
remount using the original bracket and check for clear range of motion
the cable goes on after the carb is fully functioning on the truck and runs through the fire wall up under the dash. It has a simple two screw bracket and pull/push rod that alows you to set the choke. I didnt get that far this wekend but when I get it monted Ill add a pic of that as well.
so yes ... silly... but...not everyone is ready to pull there engine(myself included) so this was quite the accomplishment for me. LOL
On to BIGGER AND MORE NASTY THINGS
The PO's (i cant blame this on one) had all put and or removed there input on the wiring system so it looked like this.
funny thing... the computer ignition mod was removed with the upgraded ignition and Carb switch out so most of those wire are either loose, or dead ends. I cut them out!!! LOL , such a liberating feeling! capped the ends and cleaned up the needed? ones with hose wrap and some good old fashion tape..
If you look back a pic you will notice that many of said wires were sitting directly on the valve cover, behind the valve cover, and even a few were melted to the exhaust manifold, so i used an un-needed bracket from the choke conversion kit, my vice, and a hammer to make the niffty wire bundle hanger. Its the little things....
went ahead a replaced the rear heater hose and after some very heavy usage of penetrating spray and a hammer i was able to tighten the rear exhaust manifold bolts. Actually got rid of 90% of the leak I was hearing. Dont know how long it will last but yet another small victory....
So the carb....
here it is all ready to go...what you dont see is me freaking out at the fact I have never done this before. LOL
Carb Intake mainifold gasket and adapter plate installed ... so far so good
Used "Gronks" tip and sprayed the paper carb gaskets with WD-40 , also dounble stacked! ...confidence is building.... ; )
Mounted the carb and took some time to redo the heater hose, fuel lines, fuel filter, and vacuum advance hose. Zip ties are so awesome! Im quite proud of my "three deep" line up
New PCV valve and hose, plus more awesome zip tie action with the vacuum advance line!
Carb installed, tested, throttle linkage hooked up, return spring added, and the air cleaner jewlery in place.
I should mention that it took alot of cranking and manual throttle work to get her going the first time. The idle had to be reset and I did a genaric mixture setting of "all the way in , two rotations out..." for test purposes. I also let her get warmed up and then used some starting fluid around the base of the carb to check for any acceleration when I sprayed it around it. Luckily I didnt have any because if you do....its all coming back off because you have an vacuum leak...
New rear valve cover breather cap, valve cover gasket, and a much nicer engine...
This morning "(Serehill)" posted a very embarrasing engine pic from a previous post of mine. Hew also helped me understabnd what "Blow By" was with the pic....Which is more important, feelings or education.... but here it is and here it is after. Just so I feel less embarrased... ; )
Thanks to (Strode182 - Brad) , the "poor mans steam cleaner" was a huge success!!!! my wife thought i was nuts and it was almost as fun as cleaning the truck.
If you havent read his build thread ... the "poor mans steam cleaner" is when you hook your garden hose to the hot water heater on the highest setting and run it through you pressure washer! GENIOUS!
Mine happens to be in a closet inside my kitchen so it took two hoses. HA!
Before:
After:
MUCH BETTER.... took it for a drive and it ran like ive never felt it before! 10 times the power.... valve cover didnt leak ,yet, either.... plus the new grommets and PCV system seem to be working....fingers crossed.
Some time this week my buddy and I are going to run a compression test to determine the severity of my Blow By issue and he is also going to teach me how to set the timing on the engine. Both with my new vacuum gauge (im becoming so ligit, LOL) and a timing gun as well.
I got a new altenator and starter solinoid to install next weekend as well. Plus new belts... after that I will have knowcked out most of the stuff i needed toaccomplish in order to feel pretty comfortable on longer trips. Plus I can keep the stuff ive been taking off in a tub as backups. Crazy...fixing things before they break. what a concept...
Thanks again for all the help!