Pete M Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 ...come here and fix my truck. :mad: ...stupid pile o' crap... can't move a lousy 200 yards... but can move 100 of those yards and strand itself in the middle of the stupid intersection... forcing me push it back into the parking lot... by myself... now it blows up my muffler... :rant: But seriously, it sounds like it's only firing one cylinder, maybe 2. It won't idle without practically flooring the gas pedal. Won't rev up any faster than idle speed. I cleaned up the inside of the distributor, swapped out a couple spark plug wires with known good ones to no effect, lubed up the carb linkage and nothing has changed. I'm sick of dealing with it in the parking lot. Tonight I'll be dragging it over to the garage. I'm not sure what I want to do next (I don't plan on sinking much money into what amounts to a giant storage locker for me), but I'm positive whatever happens is going to happen 200 yards closer to my tools and electricity. I'm tired of all the walking. :( sigh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 What engine you got in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 18, 2008 Author Share Posted September 18, 2008 The only carbed engine to come in an MJ of course. :D Sorry, I don't mention the 86 much so I should probably give some details shouldn't I. :roll: -2.8L -No factory wire harness (yeah, you read that right). -Ran fine when last parked many many moons ago. -gas has plenty of sta-bil in it It's probably just something stupid that I'm overlooking. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ejndssn Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 just a question pete have you look into doing a TBI for the 2.8 :hmm: one can only suspect that the the I4 of the same era had roughly the same hp rating not sure of the torque but should be close. any thoughts on that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 18, 2008 Author Share Posted September 18, 2008 I have thought about that. At one time I even got close to swapping in a complete 2wd 4.3L drivetrain. But the days of needing to drive this much have past and now it merely needs to putter around under its own power. Maybe someday, when I have a place of my own (and don't need the cavernous bed topper to store a lot of my Jeep junk) I'll put more effort into it. For now I just need the dang thing to idle on its own. It did it yesterday. Now very well mind you, but it did idle. And now it won't. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 To make sure it's not a fuel/fuel delivery problem, pour some fresh gas down the carburator and see if it runs fine for a few seconds on that. Next would be to pull the spark plugs and see if they are fouled. Then take a timing light to make sure they are all getting juice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WyoCherokee Posted September 18, 2008 Share Posted September 18, 2008 if you can get it to start, run it for a bits(or as long as it lets you) and then pull plugs to see if they show firing. if none, then check compresion. another deal is to check and make sure your pushrods are under the rockers(i made this mistake after pulling head before pullin valve cover). For the carb, make sure your fuel bowl has fuel in it, you may have a leaky fuel bowl, or stuck float, take air cleaner off and see if venturis are puttin fuel in to the throat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 if you can get it to start, run it for a bits(or as long as it lets you) and then pull plugs to see if they show firing. if none, then check compresion. another deal is to check and make sure your pushrods are under the rockers(i made this mistake after pulling head before pullin valve cover). For the carb, make sure your fuel bowl has fuel in it, you may have a leaky fuel bowl, or stuck float, take air cleaner off and see if venturis are puttin fuel in to the throat X2 on the carb (once you verify you have spark). I'm bettin' the carb float is stuck 'cause the needle under it is gummed solid and isn't moving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Wasn't that carb computer controlled (partially)? I know it was a horrendous POS. One of my friends in NAXJA had an 86 2.8L. I pulled the carb of a parts XJ I had here and took it to "Mr. Carburetor," who is locally reputed to be an absolute genius with automotive fuel systems. He confirmed it-s a pile of excrement, did a budget rebuild on it, and it got the truck running. Which was all that was called for. I would start looking for a different carburetor. Anything that's old, mechanical, and reliable, like maybe a Holley 2-bbl around a 350 or 400 CFM range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motion Offroad Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Just convert it to propane. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Just convert it to propane. :D Hard to beat propane for reliability, mainly because of simplicity. But propane (or LPG) as an automotive fuel is extremely expensive in the US. And it may not work too well in Michigan winters. When the weather is too cold it may not gasify readily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 19, 2008 Author Share Posted September 19, 2008 Wasn't that carb computer controlled (partially)? If it was, it's not anymore. :D It has been the way it is now since the original owner had a wire harness fire under the dash, gutted it, and eventually gave up on fixing it. He wired it enough to drive it around the farm in Oklahoma (originally a California truck). When I bought it 8 years ago it ran great. Heck, it ran ok even just a couple years ago. Since then it's been going down hill. Probably due to a lack of use. I've shot starter fluid down the carb and it doesn't seem to make any difference. So tomorrow I'll: -change spark plugs (I bought replacements a couple years ago. They should be around somewhere) -buy one of those inline spark-checkers that lights up (because I've always wanted one) -check fuel bowl and carb guts On a side note, before it got really dark I was able to wash the ol' girl. That was one dirty truck. Before I re-park her I need to wash again, this time with a scrub brush. :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 If starter fluid down the carburator doesn't make it fire, it would most likely be an ignition problem. Either timing (unlikely, unless you did something to it) or no/weak spark. Check plugs, wires, cap, rotor and coil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aemsee Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 If it's not running because the carb flooded out, adding more fuel in the form of starting fluid won't make it run. Flooded is flooded. Pull them plugs and see if they are wet. How close are you to Auburn Hills? I'll be there for a conference aug 29th to oct 3rd. Those carbs are crap. Chec on some GM sites for a conversion to a roch 2 jet or something like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 So tomorrow I'll: -change spark plugs (I bought replacements a couple years ago. They should be around somewhere) -buy one of those inline spark-checkers that lights up (because I've always wanted one) -check fuel bowl and carb guts Good plan. I'm betting on the guts. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxRacing282 Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I'm betting on the ignition. ether burns very rapidly and will still burn in a flooded engine. pete you don't have to get a spark tester but if you want one i understand. do it the old fashion way and hold the plug to some metal and watch for spark while someone else cranks it over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I'm betting on the ignition. ether burns very rapidly and will still burn in a flooded engine. pete you don't have to get a spark tester but if you want one i understand. do it the old fashion way and hold the plug to some metal and watch for spark while someone else cranks it over. If the needle valve is stuck shut ain't nothing going to be flooded. But agree on the old school plug spark fire test first.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 19, 2008 Author Share Posted September 19, 2008 do it the old fashion way and hold the plug to some metal and watch for spark while someone else cranks it over. No thanks. Last time I tried that I got shocked. Big time. :eek: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtdesigns Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Pete you need to talk to some old school s-10 guys,,, cause I'm sure some of them have dealt with the 2.8 dog.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxRacing282 Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 do it the old fashion way and hold the plug to some metal and watch for spark while someone else cranks it over. No thanks. Last time I tried that I got shocked. Big time. :eek: hey the 2.8 in your car the same as a 2.8 camaro engine? cause I'm gonna pull a 2.8 out of my third gen and if need some stuff off of it pay postage and its yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joop Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Wasn't that carb computer controlled (partially)? If it was, it's not anymore. :D It has been the way it is now since the original owner had a wire harness fire under the dash, gutted it, and eventually gave up on fixing it. He wired it enough to drive it around the farm in Oklahoma (originally a California truck). Is the choke still operated electric? if so you should check if it opens and closes as it should. According to the quote above it sounds like you might have a little problem there :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FxRacing282 Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 if the choke is electric then no it is not computer controlled. it is just a steel coil and when you tuirn the key on it passes electricity through the coil, coil heats up, expands, spins the shaft it is on and "un-chokes'' the carb. but you would know if it is open when you spray fuild into it because it covers the two main barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 Had a plumbing emergency at a friends house today so the truck still stills as-is. I doubt the electric choke works. I doubt it's ever worked since I've owned the truck. Truck ran fine before. Now it doesn't. :( I appreciate the offer for the Camaro stuff, but I'm inclined to just do some regular maintenance and if I fail, just push it back to its parking spot and leave it be for now. Too many projects. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 27, 2008 Author Share Posted September 27, 2008 I knew it'd be an easy fix. Just had to figure out the rats nest of wires. Turns out it was just corrosion in the wire feeding juice to the coil. Rewired it and now she still sucks, but not as much as before. :D Still backfires and still coughs and sputters if you give it too much gas too fast. But at least she runs again enough to putter across the street and around the parking lot (gotta move my trucks once a month to please the local code enforcer). I'm going to finish installing the new spark plugs to see if it makes any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted September 27, 2008 Author Share Posted September 27, 2008 Oh, and she sounds wicked mean with the new muffler. :D It doesn't fit, but it was free. The old one had a small hole in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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