New owner - couple of questions

[JeepCJ5]

Hey Guys,

I just acquired a 1981 Jeep CJ5 . It has the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l inline 6. The last owner put a lot of nice parts on it. The engine was rebuilt around 30K miles ago. I sold my last jeep, a '98 TJ about 5 years ago, and I've been itching to get another, so I am very happy. I grew up in the '80s, so when I think of a Jeep, the CJ is what I see in my mind. That being said, I have a couple questions:

The insulation on the hood is sagging - actually I guess I would say that the plastic cover part is sagging. I think the insulation is still affixed to the hood pretty good. How is the insulation attached though? what do you guys recommend to fix the sagging plastic liner? Have you guys just removed it altogether?

The other question is that it is stinky. I know that it will have some exhaust smell to it, but this is excessive. The owner thought it just needs a downturn on the exhaust end, but I think it is more. The exhaust is pretty rusty, so I plan to replace it. All of the replacement exhaust kits I see online are Cat-back kits, but mine doesn't have the catalytic anymore. Where can I get the down pipe that goes from the stock header to the muffler?

Also, my buddy suggested that rebuilding the carburetor might help with the smell. Any comments on that?

Thanks for any input you can give me. I can't wait to get started fixing her up.

 

[HackFabrication]

Pull the insulation off the hood, go to a muffler shop.

These beasts make noise. It's part of the CJ Experience.

When they fab the exhaust have it angled at 45* at the tailpipe, that should keep the fumes from swirling back into the cabin.

Luckily, my 76 CJ is a non-catalyst vehicle. And I don't have to deal with smog-nazi's where I live.

Oh: :ww: To The Forum!!!!

 

[JeepCJ5]

Thanks - I was leaning toward taking it to a muffler shop - I'll just go that route.

I want to sandblast the hood anyways, so I'll rip off the insulation and see what difference that makes.

 

[HackFabrication]

Ask for some recommendations from the guys/gals on this forum for a exhaust shop. Someone in your area probably has a good experience (or a bad one). I really hate having to re-do things....

Post some pics of the underside. Especially the springs. Looks like you've got a lot of lift. Probably 4". What tire is on the CJ? And how does it drive? Any issues with 'darting' or 'wandering'?

 

[Torxhead]

Wow!, I didn't even know that the CJ even came with hood insulation, unless it was an aftermarket add on. I would have to agree with removing it permanently since under the Texas sun you would want to keep the underhood temps down anyway.

 

[Posi]

They never came with insulation from the factory that I know of. Maybe dealer or PO installed.

 

[Posi]

Is your fuel smell raw or exhaust?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

X2 on what Posi asks.
Get rid of the 'blanket', before it falls into the fan belt.

What carb do you have on it?

Don't know it this will hepl you much.
Table of Contents

LG

 

[JeepCJ5]

Hey guys, thanks for all the tips - I'll ditch the blanket. This Jeep lived up in Cloudcroft,NM for a long time, where they actually get snow, so that's prob why it is there. The smell is exhausty. I dropped it off at a muffler shop today. Hopefully that fixes it. If not, I'll start checking the carburetor.

It has a 4.5" Rubicon Express lift on it with 35" tires. It drives nice. Haven't noticed any darting.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Is the smell while driving, or at idle or both?
Where does the exhaust exit?
LG

 

[JeepCJ5]

Smell is all the time when the engine is running. The exhaust exits under the bumper below the license plate. It was cut straight off. I am having them turn the end down.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

CK your fuel mix, and make sure you are run'n the correct plugs.
What's the ign timing set at?
LG

 

[JeepCJ5]

Thanks LG - the new exhaust helps, but I'll also follow your suggestions. I've only had it a couple of days, and haven't had a chance to do much. I have seen some info on the nutter mod, and the muffler guy talked about the charcoal canister causing bad smells also.

I haven't checked the timing yet.

 

[Torxhead]

The charcoal canister can give off a raw fuel smell if the filter gets clogged as it blocks off the fuel tank vent system. The Jeep CJ fuel tank vent system is somewhat complicated, you might want to look it up. The Nutter Bypass will affect the computer operation of your Jeep if you even have one. I am not sure all of the CJs had computers in '81.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Here's a good description of the evap. canister operation.
Evaporation Canister

LG

 

[JeepCJ5]

Thanks for the comments. I think my next step is to get the carb rebuilt.

As you can see from the photo, it is pretty dirty with some junk leaking. Also, it looks like not all the pollution control stuff is hooked up. You can see one of the inlets is not hooked up in the photo. A quick search for a replacement charcoal canister shows that it is a bit of a tough part to track down.

When I get a chance, I'll start trying to figure out what is and isn't hooked up properly.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You have a Carter carb. That inlet is to the sol-vac.
Sol-Vac

I suggest you save this site...
Table of Contents

LG

 

[Petescj]

They never came with insulation from the factory that I know of. Maybe dealer or PO installed.

The only Cj I know of that came from the factory with hood insulation was the '82-'83 Limited thats it.

 

[Petescj]

The charcoal canister can give off a raw fuel smell if the filter gets clogged as it blocks off the fuel tank vent system. The Jeep CJ fuel tank vent system is somewhat complicated, you might want to look it up. The Nutter Bypass will affect the computer operation of your Jeep if you even have one. I am not sure all of the CJs had computers in '81.

Torx is right. The computer controlled BBD carb didn't start till '82. You can stop concerning yourself with the Nutter bypass cause your carb pic confirmed there's no plug in the back of it.

 

[JeepCJ5]

You guys are on it! Thanks for all the info!