CJ7 manifold and carb replacement

[DadsCJ7]

I have a 77 CJ7 with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . I have a badly cracked exhaust manifold. I am wrestling with the same issues that I see others on here discussing regarding using the original intake, or a newer 80' style intake and exhaust.
I am leaning toward changing to the 80's style intake and exhaust that don't appear to be married together like mine is. Also I am considering changing from my 1 barrel carb to the 2100 / 2150 carb that the fella in Colorado is selling. I see many good comments on here about that.
It is important that I get this back together quickly and back on the road quickly once I tear into it. My boys drives it to 5:30 AM swim practice and I don't want to have to drive him.
1. I think I saw a comment that the 80's style exhaust does not eat donuts like the older ones. If this is true, I am changing it for sure. Mine goes thru donuts like it goes thru gas.
2. It looks like the 80's intake is water cooled. Is this correct? Does that affect performance? Is there a prescribed plumbing that is best to use?
3. Will I get a performance benefit from using the 2 barrel intake instead of the 1 barrel intake with an adapter plate. I am thinking yes, but I have made poor assumptions before.
4. I have a terrible fear that this is gong to result in me fighting with rusty bolts broken off in the head when I try to remove them. Anyone had issues with this?
5. What is the vacuum canister on the side of the intake under the carb? It looks like some type of actuator? Can this be eliminated or at least not plumbed. I want to simplify things a bit.
Thanks,
Brad

 

[shum8]

Welcome to the forum -
I can't offer any advice on this topic, just a greeting, but there will be a few folks coming along that will hammer you with good advice LOL......

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

Your item #4 is pretty much a given, sorry to say.
Might give these folks a call to see what they have for you.
J&W Auto Wreckers: New & Used Jeep Parts - Home

Good luck

LG

 

[Torxhead]

Your donut problem might be due to their quality and not the application. I once tried turning off the water to the intake and it got too hot for a proper air/ fuel mix. I do not think it matters which way the coolant flows. There is a skill to removing stuck bolts, so you might want to do some research there. Can you send in a pic of that vacuum canister?

 

[Petescj]

1. The 80s style doesn't use a donut gasket , the exhaust pipe and the manifold mate together nothing in between.

2. This has been explained in other posts here but my memory fails me on the reason why. Ill search on this and add what I find.

3. The early 2 barrel Carter is better than a single barrel or the later BBD.

4. I didn't have any bolts break off mine either time but I'd be ready for it. I had a few that felt like they were right on the edge. The fun part for me was getting it back on. Trying to get all the bolts to line up was tough. I ended up using studs in some spots to get it all lined up.

5. Need a picture.