1979 AMC 304 Rough idle.

[Lumpy Grits]

Your engine will run much better at 190-195*. Don't forget, that's when the t'stat starts to open. It's not all the way open till about 15* or so higher.
LG

 

[jafo]

Your engine will run much better at 190-195*. Don't forget, that's when the t'stat starts to open. It's not all the way open till about 15* or so higher.
LG

My wife even noticed the difference. Especially with the heater. I apt to run her out last night it was so cold. We had to turn the fan to low it was getting so warm. But it's a happy jeep now. I swear I could see it smiling.

 

[Hedgehog]

I've been watching this thread. It pleases me to see that you've finally found the problem. Almost invariably when the problem is finally located, it's something relatively simple.

And with all the upgrades you did, you know that most of the jeep is ready to go. Especially with all the vacuum repairs. I always wonder about the guys that once insisted on removing the thermostat all together. They seem to think the jeep runs better when the engine is cool ..... NOT..... Engines need some heat to run well, not to much, but enough.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

HH is 110% 'rite' here.
LG

 

[jafo]

I've been watching this thread. It pleases me to see that you've finally found the problem. Almost invariably when the problem is finally located, it's something relatively simple.

And with all the upgrades you did, you know that most of the jeep is ready to go. Especially with all the vacuum repairs. I always wonder about the guys that once insisted on removing the thermostat all together. They seem to think the jeep runs better when the engine is cool ..... NOT..... Engines need some heat to run well, not to much, but enough.

I'm just happy it's running as it should. It feels great to finally get over that hill. Be it by accident of shear perseverance. I would have never guessed that this engine would be that sensitive to engine temp. I've ran 160* stats in older engines before and never had a problem. Of course they weren't stock engines either. But yeh this makes sense. I took it up that steep hill tonight. That is like the pace it would do it every time and it not only didn't misfire, it trucked right up the hill and held itcs speed which it never did, it would always bog down. I'd lose 5 to 10 mph by the time I got to the top. Not this time.

Now it's on to other things. Wiper pump. Needs new wiper switch. Got new pump and it continually runs.

Srill have those two piece axles too. Makes me nervous.

 

[jafo]

Oh and guys and all who contributed in the thread, thanks a million for all the help. The support kept me pushing and we got lucky. So thanks!

 

[Turbogus]

I'm so glad for you for getting to the bottom of your issues. I had a similar oddesy myself last year so I could so feel your frustration. Well done on keeping at it, I think there's more than a few of us that would've given up.

 

[jafo]

I also recently added a reman carb. That also helped. It has a choke that actually works! It still doesn't feel totally right to me yet. The misfiring is gone but it doesn't stretch on out at full throttle. So I'm still tinkering. I've kind of put that on hold for now so I can get my axle kit installed and rear brakes done. I'M in Mexico right now soaking up some Ray's for a couple weeks. So can't wait to get back to get going in the CJ again.