Full Size Jeep Network

Hi Folks,

New guy here, Names Allen and I live in Colorado. I just took possession of this J3000 this last weekend. I have always wanted one and finally pulled the trigger on one I found. It's a 1965 J3000 4x4 with the 327 Vigilante motor. I also have a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

The new truck runs and drives but is hard to get started. Goes pretty good once started but is hard to start. I tested the alternator and battery and they both seemed fine so I pulled a plug and tested for spark and the spark looks weak to me. So first thing on the agenda is to go through the ignition system. Parts are on order and should be here by the weekend.

I will need advice on a lot of things. For example I need to get replacement sheet metal for the bed corners as they are rotted out. Does anyone know where I can get replacement panels for the bed corners? I looked at BJs offroad and did not see the corners but maybe I am missing it.

Welcome !
I have a 65 wagoneer with the 327 too
Got some issues with the original carb, i bought a new one a few months ago
Unfortunately i don't see the pictures

Howdy from Phoenix and Welcome! It sounds like a pretty cool truck! I can't see the pics either (yet). When you say 'hard starting' is it cranking slow? Does it start but die until it is warm? Do you have to crank forever until it starts? We can help if you provide some more symptoms.

Can anyone see the pictures now? I tried to use my dropbox account but apparently they are being uptight about public image hosting.

So on the hard starting the symptoms are lot's of cranking before it finally catches.

I can see the pictures. Pretty truck. Thinking fuel issue or choke not working.

Nice looking J3000! On the long cranking issue, the carb bowl could be draining every time the truck sits so the fuel pump needs to fill it up each time you try and start it. Does the carb still have a choke on it? It should, but sometimes people remove them. The float in the carb could also have a little hole in it causing it to sink in the float bowl and mess up the level of fuel in the bowl.

You can usually find new floor pans and rockers for J trucks but nothing else, as far as sheet metal goes. Best bet is to post up in the Wanted section on this board or contact some of the FSJ specialty part sellers out there. I've seen good comments on Jeep Recyclers' facebook page but I've never bought from them.

Bad gas will also cause hard starts. It might run on old gas but getting it started can be a challenge.

Thanks for the thoughts on the hard start. Sounds like consensus is fuel issue. I was thinking it's either fuel or spark. Decided to start with spark and then fuel. It has a Holley 2 barrel carb on it and it does have a choke which I was using. Just thought though I never checked to see if the cable was hooked up on the carb end. Probably should do that. When it is running seems to run stinky rich to me and the one plug I pulled seemed to agree with that being black and sooty. Not sure if it is properly jetted for this altitude or not. Most carbs are not from stock and a lot of folks just run them without re-jetting.

I will take a closer look at the carb might just get a new one any recommendations there?

Holley 2Vs are super easy to rebuild. I would not diagnose; I'd just buy a kit and do it. If the bowl gaskets or power valve are leaky, the float bowl will drain at the rate of the leak. With a dry bowl, the fuel pump has to fill the bowl before the engine will fire. Note that your open element air cleaner will make the float bowl gas evaporate through the bowl vents much faster than it would with the factory air cleaner. These air cleaners are noisy too - you can hear the whoosh of air entering the carb with an open element.

Evaporation will be like a couple of days with the open element filter and warm weather; original air cleaner would likely be a week or more. If it's faster than that, likely the gas is leaking out somewhere.

Let it sit for a day or two, give it a shot of starter fluid, and see if it fires fast. If so, likely you are draining the bowl somehow.

what type of radiator is that I see in the picture ? is that the one bj's offers ? does she run cool ? mine runs hot in the summer with the old stock radiator