Idles fine but runs rough help

[Cjordan]

82 CJ7 with AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l carter 2731 carb.
So I just bought this thing last weekend and have changed motor mounts, Transmission mount, and the water pump. Work in progress.
So I found a vacuum leak coming out of the top side of the pcv where someone had plugged it with a stick. It was idling ok but had a little miss to it before I found that, I capped it with a rubber cap, and now it idles pretty good.
The problem is once it's under a load it wants to spit, sputter, and stall unless you get out of the gas and ease into it. With that being said you still can't get much over 1/4-1/2 throttle or it goes back to acting up again.

The PO said it was running rough so he took it to his shade tree buddy about a year ago, and that guy supposedly fixed it, but that isn't the case.
So far I have poured a can of sea foam in the gas tank, along with running a can and a half of sea foam through the pcv line and let it sit for about 15 minutes before cranking again.

Just wondering if anyone could help point me in the right direction?
Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Torxhead]

I think you should start with checking the burn on the spark plugs to determine weather there is too much fuel or not enough. There are spark plug charts on the net to compare with.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Have you replaced the dizzy cap, rotor and wires? What plugs are you running?
Have you checked the ign timing?
Are you still running that horseshoe connector on the coil. Well known source for contact issues.
LG

 

[Cjordan]

Have you replaced the dizzy cap, rotor and wires? What plugs are you running?
Have you checked the ign timing?
Are you still running that horseshoe connector on the coil. Well known source for contact issues.
LG

I haven't changed any of that yet, I'm fixing to go check the connector on the coil and I'll let you know.

 

[Cjordan]

Well I tried to add pics from my phone but it's not letting me do it.
When you say horseshoe connector on the coil are you talking about on top where there are three wires? Two red wires on the left and a green one on the right.
If so one red and the green run down to the wire loom with a bunch of other wires, and the other red wire has a connector which is unplugged, but I don't see any other wires just laying around with a plug on them it could go to.

 

[Cjordan]

Let's see if these pics will show

 

[Cjordan]

Hopefully this one will come through

 

[Lumpy Grits]

What brand are those plugs? Plug 'color' looks fine.
YES-that's the dang horseshoe connector on the coil. They are well known for poor contact issues.
Go to NAPA get a new dizzy cap with brass contacts(NOT alum)rotor, and premium wires along with 6, #985 Autolite spark plugs. Set the gap to .035".
Use a dab of copper antiseize on the SP threads on the install.
I STRONGLY urge you to get a copy of the factory service manual.
'82-'83 Jeep Service Manual (Body/Chassis) ? CBJeep
The Haynes and Chilton are not the best.
I would also change the fuel filter and ck ALL oil levels and the color of the oil.
LG

 

[Cjordan]

The plugs are ngk.
I picked up a chitons the other day but can understand why you say what you say about em. I do need to change the oil since I'm not for sure when it was last changed, but the color doesn't look to bad, I do know that it has set up for a year tho before I bought it.
Thank you for all the help. I will try to pick all that up this week and report back as soon as I get it all put on.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Not talking about just the engine oil. I mean both axles, tranny and t'case.
LG

 

[Cjordan]

10/4 sir

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You only say that, because I'm more than twice your age.
If you have a NAPA near you. That's the place to go. The NAPA Gold line oil filter is a Wix which was OEM.
I would recommend either a 15W-40 or 20W-50(what I use)engine oil.
Good luck.
LG

 

[Cjordan]

You only say that, because I'm more than twice your age.
If you have a NAPA near you. That's the place to go. The NAPA Gold line oil filter is a Wix which was OEM.
I would recommend either a 15W-40 or 20W-50(what I use)engine oil.
Good luck.
LG

Lol I haven't lived with my parents for several years now, but if either one of them found out I didn't use my manners it would still be bad news. Just a habit I choose not to drop Lol

While I'm replacing the plugs, wires, cap, and button do I need to go ahead and replace that coil or is there a way to clean up those connections and get that back in proper working order?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

For now-Clean the contacts on the coil and connector and let's see what's, what.
I would also check the timing and take a vacuum reading.

 

[Cjordan]

For now-Clean the contacts on the coil and connector and let's see what's, what.
I would also check the timing and take a vacuum reading.

Will do sir. It will probably be sometime this week or possibly this weekend before I can do this.

One more question for you tho while I have your attention.

I've been reading a little bit about a team rush upgrade. Since I have to replace all the parts anyhow, would I be any better off just to do the upgrade the first time around? My only intentions for this jeep is running up and down the road, and traveling around my lease. No climbing, or serious mudding in the plans.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Baby steps
Get it run'n 'rite' first. Then go from there.
See if this info is of any help.
Table of Contents
May need to plan on a full carb rebuild.

LG

 

[Cjordan]

Baby steps
Get it run'n 'rite' first. Then go from there.
See if this info is of any help.
Table of Contents
May need to plan on a full carb rebuild.

LG

Pretty sure I found the problem. Dang stepper motor is missing out of the carb.
I had buddy of mine helping me with it earlier Today and I noticed that joke in the back of the carb so I pointed it out to him, he said naw it has to have a "backer plate on the inside.
Had another buddy of mine look at it this afternoon and he shot some carb cleaner innit to try to clean things up a little and he seen some cleaner come out the back side of the carb. He held his light to that hole and sure enough you can see the light inside the carb.
No telling how long it's been missing or where it would even be if I asked the guy who was working on it, so now I gotta find a stepper motor, and screws for it

 

[Cjordan]

Guys I apologize if this is a dumb/stupid question, but I've been thinking about it all night and can't put it together.
With the stepper motor missing, there is a hole you can shine the light through and see it coming through the barrels of the carb.
The jeep starts fine, ideals fine 1st gear is ok but 2nd, 3rd, and 4th you have to ease into em, and pretty much can't get over 1/4 throttle. This stepper motor missing would cause that issue right? If so how come it will idle fine, you can rev it up out of gear, or with the clutch engaged and it has a very fast/smooth response?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Is the rest of the computer system smog controls hooked up?
Make a plate the seal off the opening.
Can you post some pics??
LG

 

[Cjordan]

Is the rest of the computer system smog controls hooked up?
Make a plate the seal off the opening.
Can you post some pics??
LG

I'm not for sure about the computer system or smog control, not really sure what to look for, to see if that stuff is there. Any help would be appreciated.
If I get in before dark today I will get pics of it all