CJ5 Up and Going, but Wierd Transmission and Fuel Problems

[ProV1]

Have been working on a 77 CJ5 for a few months, it had been sitting for 2 years and was able to get it up and running again. Have a few nagging issues that are driving me nuts.

First, The Transmission was popping out of first if you took it easy on take off. All other gears shifted fine on or off road. The body had a 3" lift on it so we returned it to stock. That did not help, but yesterday while on my hill country lease it totally changed. First gear is now rock solid and when we are on rough terrain or let off the gas second gear pops out. I am thinking the motor mounts are worn out as the engine sways quite a bit when coming on or off the gas. Any thoughts as to how first gear could be a problem child then mysteriously start working fine, while second gear which was working fine all the sudden becomes the issue? The CJ also has a 3" shackle lift, which we are going to drop to 1" I wouldn't think this would cause issues with the Transmission , those 3" shackles just make it almost undriveable as you have to stay on the wheel every second especially off-road where you can see them flexing left and right.

Second, on steep inclines which there are tons of around my place once the front wheels get up the incline the engine dies. Once it rolls back to flat ground you have to pump the gas to start it again. But it runs like a champ otherwise. It has the stock carter one barrel on it and I have rotated the fuel filter so the return is at 12 o'clock. I thought I dodged a bullet on needing to rebuild the carb as it runs, accelerates, and idles super. Could it be a problems with the fuel pump? Float? I really don't want to replace it now as I am at the end of my budget for awhile.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to give as much info as possible.

 

[JR74CJ5]

On the tranny, i'd check the "dogs" or shift forks out. See how they look and look for wear. I'm not so sure of that since you said it changed from 1st popping to 2nd popping, but check anyways. You wont lose any fluid, can inspect fluid while top cover is off, and know it is or is not them all at once. Can look for other wear internally as well.

Yeah 3" lift shackles would be over 6" long! Those are nuts. Shackle lifts are measured by total length bolt to bolt - (minus) stock legnth / (divided by) 2. (This tells you how much lift they provide)

either way, you're figuring out why shackle lifts (in excess) suck!

as for the carb / hill stalls, thats a known carburator (especially from what I hear Carters) problem. There are some things talked about around here and the web that you can try to do to help, but either a carb swap, or fuel injection / propane conversion would work the best (but not very budget friendly) MC2100 junk yard swaps help out.


~ Jr

 

[ProV1]

Thanks Jr.

When just first gear was popping out I figured it was the fork too, since first does not have a syncro. But now that first is solid and second is popping out especially on rough terrain I feel certain that it has to be something else. I am going to replace the motor mounts since that is cheap and easy and see how that goes.

As far as the carb goes, I really hate messing with it since it starts, idles, and runs so good. But we have some really steep roads on our lease and I can't deal with it stalling out and having to back down them especially with my two little girls in the back. Will have to read up on the 2100 swap.

 

[ProV1]

After talking to several Carter YF experts the uphill flooding out seems to be pretty common. Most recommend doing a swap to a Motorcraft 2100.

I could do the 2bbl to 1bbl adapter, but I would much rather find a 2bbl manifold. I am looking for a pre-80s model so it will be painless but can't find one anywhere. Any suggestions?

 

[JR74CJ5]

i seen one on e-bay, but further research i haven't done.



~ Jr

 

[ProV1]

I think I am going to just use a Holley 1bbl to 2bbl adapter until I can bring it home next spring and can mess with replacing the manifolds. I found a Motorcraft 2100 1.08 venture off of a running 68 Mustang I am just going to make the throttle return and lineage here and try to mount it in the field.

Not looking for performance increase right now, just want it to quit dying when I go up hill.