I've got a '73 CJ5 with an '84 258. It's got a Weber 2bbl and a DUI distributor all installed by the PO. Prior to tearing down the jeep, everything ran fine and I didn't touch the engine at all. Now that everything is back together, I can't get this thing to run properly. It will start up and idle OK but with any gas, it revs and dies and often reverses the engine before blowing white smoke out the carb. I've cleaned out the carb and cleaned up the Distributor cap and rotor point and it's still doing the same thing. It starts up great every time but won't go above idle.
When setting the timing found out what rpm you are suppost to set the timing at. The chiltions says 9 btdc A mechanic I know said 9.5 Still others say 8 but never said was rpm to set the timing at. I was scraching my head tring to figure this out, and look down at the sticker by rad, If you still have the sticker any way. Mine said 12 dregees btdc at 1600 rpm. It runs like a champ now, better gas mileage and every thing. Now I dont know where the other timeing sujestions came from, I even checked the timing at an idel after I set it to 12 and at an idle on mine is 750. It was 6 btdc. Mine is a 86cj7 258 with a bbd carter on it. But it should still run at 9 at an idle mine did just not as good as now. Oh and also when setting the timing disconcect the vac advance to the disturbitor, and plug up the hose
Seems there is a bit of confusion on how to set the time on a jeep CJ
The "COMPLETE" and fully functional "COMPUTER" controlled jeep CJ's will be timed at 1600 rpms as 1986CJ7 has said...
If the computer, computer controled carter carb, and all the sensors and not there and working..... then do not time your CJ like this, at 1600 rpms... The AMC Computer can only take out or lower the amount of ADVANCE.... it was timed at 1600 rpms, .... used the knock sensor, O2 sensor, to adj "take out advance" the computer could remove/retard the time and adjust the carb settings...
Since the Poster has a 73 CJ with a 80s engine with a after market carb and distributor he will NOT be timed at 1600 rpms. He will time at idle with the vac advance hose disconnected from the distributor and plug the rubber vac line with a golf tee or similar.
AMC engines like 33 to 35 deg of total advance. HEI distributors are known for having more than this. The guys that say 12 deg of initial advance are putting in 1/3 or more of the advance in initial advance or a base line of advance... The initial advance never comes out its a base.... the mech advance and vac advance is what makes the engine work well and work with the load and operation of the vehicle...
With a proper functional distributor, initial advance of 4-8 deg is a very good range. I do not knock at 8deg but use 6 deg initial. Lower your initial advance and your CJ will start better too.
The distributor advance chart....
Is in the 78 and 79 FSM, Field Service Manual.... Once the computer is removed both the 70s and 80s jeeps can and should use this Advance Curve to set up your AMC engines. There are manual, autos, CJ and FSJ charts in the manuals.
ps
Jeepers that have a 80s jeep CJ and the computer is removed and/or have a aftermarket carbs need to modify the stock distributor so it works properly or change it out.... Most of the change is opening up the mech advance slots so the computer vitange distributor that comes with 5 or 8 deg slots can have/ use a normal amount of advance like 15 degrees the engine can acutaly use... this is what will give you hwy and higher rpm performance & efficiency... Easy to do just go slow with file or small grinder so you do not make the slot toooooooo big and go slow.... Use balancer tape to verify your work.... This limitation is one of the main reasons the hei seems to be a good change.... Learn to correct your old duraspark distributor and you will like that one tooo....
Poster sorry for going off track on the distributor and time.... get some fresh gas in there and get a base line of function and see where we are...
that's some good information. I've completely drained the tank and fuel lines and replaced it with new fuel but still having the same problem. I've also removed and cleaned the carb with no improvement. I'm now going to get a timing light and try to figure out how to properly set the timing. 
