Is this smart

[Bulldog70]

I have a 1978 CJ7 with AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6. It has a 1 barrel carb on it now. Do you think a Weber 38/38 DGES carburetor and Performanace Distributors DUI Distributor is a smart add on. The one barrel does ok yet i am looking for better power and maybe better gas milage at the same time. I have to get off line and will read any replies tomorrow. Thanks in advance.

 

[IOPort51]

Are you aware that you will need a 2 Bbl. manifold??

What does "smart " have to do with anything??

 

[Bulldog70]

I do know I have to do that. On the smart comment was more able is it worth it or just a waste

 

[IOPort51]

I would say they are both well worth the effort. I am not a big fan of Weber carburetors and the DUI dist. would not be my first choice but I do think these are, in general, both excellent ideas.

 

[Bulldog70]

What do u suggest . I am need to CJ

 

[IOPort51]

as carburetors go you have a few choices, the Weber, the MC2100, the carter BBD and fuel injection. I did the swap you are thinking about a long time ago, it's been kind of a evolution. I found the intake and exhaust manifold from an AMC Pacer and tries , unsuccessfully, to rebuild the carb. I bought a rebuilt carter and went on my merry way. I did this because I had decided to run 33 inch tires and there just was not enough horses to push them. This made a big difference. I have since changed to the MC2100 ford two barrel. I decided to do this because I have become a lot better at rebuilding carburetors and the MC2100 can be salvaged rebuilt and installed for less that $AMC 150 . I take a certain pleasure in being able to say I pulled it from a 63 Galaxy and built it myself. I also have upgraded to a 4.0 head with aluminum intake and a header. like I said, it's an evolution. Next will be TBI but I want to run the MC2100 for a while and see how it works out.

The DUI is a good choice, I think you will need to replace your distributor any way you go. I believe you have a Prestolite, 77 &78 were the only two to be given this part and it is not the greatest distributor ever made. I swapped in a 79 Motor craft with a "Team Rush" upgrade and now have an MSD6 capacitor discharge replacing the original engine control module. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that a new distributor will be an improvement, which one you use is a matter of personal preference. I guess the options are pretty close in performance and most of the improvement you see, and there will be a major improvement, will be because the Prestolite is a POS. the distributor is of poor design and the after market ECMs have become undependable. I think you are on the right path with this. One more thing, the 78 has a intake and exhaust manifold that are bolted together at the EGR valve area. I imagine you are aware of this, just trying to help you avoid as many surprises as possible.

What do u suggest . I am need to CJ

 

[bondo258]

+1 on the team rush upgrade.

HEI is simpler, but no gains over a Rushed motorcraft distro and MSD box.

HEI doesn't have the "start retard" for easier starts. that's a big negative with a carb.

Mine came with HEI, and coupled with the TBI system I added, I'm very happy. No Start retard required. Starts flawlessly every time. (knock wood)

Even the MC 2100, "the king" of AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l upgrade carbs, especially if you live in a state that adds 10% methanol to the gasoline, or does winter/summer blend gas.

If you're handy and have a few days to kill, and have the coin, I recommend TBI over any Carb. You will need larger diameter fuel lines, both send and return, and a functional canister/tank vent system for it to work well, however.

But you can buy an box full of Carbs for that money, unless you build a junkyard TBI setup.

 

[Bulldog70]

Man I sure done thank you for all the help and ideas. I'm going to do the motor work in the middle of April when my gold comes in. LOL. If you have anymore upgrade to the motor that I need to consider please feel ftee let me know. Thanks again

 

[IOPort51]

Don't be a stranger, Dog.
what kind of motor work are you contemplating??

Man I sure done thank you for all the help and ideas. I'm going to do the motor work in the middle of April when my gold comes in. LOL. If you have anymore upgrade to the motor that I need to consider please feel ftee let me know. Thanks again

 

[Bulldog70]

Right now I just want to reduce the exhust smell. lol. I know a lot of the smell is because the 1 berral carb is not set just right. I just looking to make this a great CJ. When I get a chance I will download some pics of it. I think I got a good deal off craigslist.

 

[IOPort51]

you could have an exhaust leak real easy. Check the doughnut gasket at the manifold to pipe joint. One of the disappointing engineering points of this model, be sure that the pipe is secured down near the Transmission mount to keep the pipe from swinging independent of the motor with the torque movement. This will help them last longer. the manifold can be warped enough to leak at the gasket very easily and some times the bolts back out.

Right now I just want to reduce the exhust smell. lol. I know a lot of the smell is because the 1 berral carb is not set just right. I just looking to make this a great CJ. When I get a chance I will download some pics of it. I think I got a good deal off craigslist.

 

[Bulldog70]

I will look at that in the morning, for sure. I do know there is a little smoke coming out of the exhust. Looks to be kinda gray. I'm going to change the oil and filter tomorrow and see if that don't help some. I don't know how long the oil has been in it. I do know that it does not use any oil.!!! I work 6 days a week and moving out of my house. My time has been crazy over the last few week. Hopefully nest week when my moving is done, I will have more time to look and play with at my jeep.

 

[rr41mag]

Hey bulldog, you ever been to talledega? I have three times. It was great. I put the DUI distributor in my 81 and it made one hell of a difference.

 

[Bulldog70]

Are you talking about the race track? If so, OOOO Yes!!!!!