258 skipping. Should I shim my T18?

[Halfmoon]

If I ever give my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l more than half throttle and try to accelerate faster it kind of misses. Not like it's going to die, it just hiccups every few seconds when I'm pushing the throttle hard. I've not owned the jeep long and the PO didn't drive it much. I've thought about doing the Team Rush upgrade but does this sound spark or carb related? Looks like the computer has been taken off, Flame Thrower ignition coil added, and the carb is a Carter 2378.

The PO put in a T-18 from a '79 CJ5 . While looking to replace the shift boot, I noticed the Transmission is only sitting 1/4" below the Transmission cover. Should I use shims to drop it 7/8"? If so, will this mess up the alignment of anything else? Any recommendation on shims? Thought some metal tubing from Tractor Supply might work.

Anyone know what size nut attaches the back side of the power steering pump to the back bracket? This is the one for the stud coming off the pump. I can't seem to find a match in my stash of parts. Metric maybe?

Thanks!

 

[Torxhead]

That ignition miss could be from a bad ignition control module, if it is warm to the touch, that would be a good indicator. It could also be that the ignition timing needs adjusting. If the Transmission is not banging against that cover, you are probably o.k. With that lift and tires, a 1" body lift could give you some more clearance.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Actually the OEM set up on a 79 CJ with a T-18 was to drop the skid plate with a stack of 1/8” shims seven high between the bottom of the frame and the top of the skid plate. Anything that will get you there should work as long as it’s stable. You can buy a Transmission drop kit if you don’t want to build your own.

 

[Halfmoon]

Were the 1/8" shims like washers? I'd rather make something than buy a kit, but what's the preferred "budget" way?

 

[Saddle Tramp]

Washers will work but it has to be a good fit with the bolt as you don’t want enough slop to allow the skid plate to move. The OEM pieces were plates that spanned between the bolts.

 

[Hedgehog]

If the Transmission isn't banging you can leave it alone. When you start to hit then worry about it.

 

[Sasquach]

Actually the OEM set up on a 79 CJ with a T-18 was to drop the skid plate with a stack of 1/8” shims seven high between the bottom of the frame and the top of the skid plate. Anything that will get you there should work as long as it’s stable. You can buy a Transmission drop kit if you don’t want to build your own.

Thanks for that info! Mine has the shims and was always puzzling to me why and were they po installed. Now I know.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

If the Transmission isn't banging you can leave it alone. When you start to hit then worry about it.

Well, dropping the skid plate will help driveline angles.

 

[Hedgehog]

True, but he didn't mention having a problem with driveline angles.