Engine stalls at idle when turning

[wick2000]

CJ5 with AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l - engine will try to stall out when I'm at idle and i turn the wheel unless i give it a little gas.
I did upgrade the steering gear box and thinking it might have something to do with that? Would just bumping up the idle possibly help?

Thoughts?

 

[Hedgehog]

Idle RPM's? You should be 650-800 RPM's at idle.

 

[wick2000]

Not sure, I dont have a tac on it or the digital tac tool to test it. It sure doesnt sound too high though.... anything bad/negative about bumping up the idle a bit? (not worried about gas mileage)

 

[Hedgehog]

If you keep it within reason there is nothing wrong with it. Power steering does take a little power to run. Does your belts squeal excessively? I ask that to make sure there isn't anything wrong with your ball joints and such.

 

[wick2000]

No, belts dont squeal much.... I've replaced most of the steering components on the jeep (box, shaft, column, tie rods), pretty much the only thing i havent replaced (yet) is the ball joints.
I do have 35's on it, so I'm sure that doesnt help the bit of struggle to turn it.

 

[IOPort51]

Motor mounts?? what carb do you have?? ground strap?

 

[wick2000]

Replaced the mounts too (poly)
Been restoring it for awhile (started with the rust), engine was actually the last on my list to go through, so I'm not 100% sure what carb I have in it. Just starting that process now and this was the first issue i'm trying to address. I'll look into it a bit more tonight and try to give you some more info.... thank you for trying to help! I'm no mechanic, but I can do the basics

Actually trying to sell it, (just sold my house) so if you happen to know anyone in the market let me know. Its a pretty nice jeep, all steel, rust gone, new paint, a lot of new/upgraded stuff. Just throwing it out there... never know who is looking for one.

 

[mriplaybass]

Do you have the vacuum actuated fast idle solenoid on the carb? If you do, check for a bad vacuum hose, or the solenoid itself may be bad.
As the engine begins to die, the loss of vacuum causes the plunger to open your throttle a bit to a faster idle.

 

[mstar]

If you or a friend can adjust the idle jets to the rich side that may be enough to keep it running.Of course at the recommended idle rpm.
If they happen to be toward lean and a extra load is caused by steering pump that could cause the problem.There is a little bit of adjustment from lean to rich where it will run smooth so adjust accordingly.

 

[DHugg]

I do have 35's on it, so I'm sure that doesnt help the bit of struggle to turn it.

My CJ7 /AMC 304 has 35's, and cold engine idle it sometimes loads up when I turn the steering wheel. I don't like to move the steering unless I am rolling to keep pressures off the steering component.

I just rebuilt my front end, and getting ball joints off and new ones back on and seated was a bear. I am handtools only.