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Well I've spoke with a few folks and done some reading and now I've changed horses mid-stream (again). I think I'm going to stay with my carb and just make c o m p l e t e l y sure it's tuned and timed right, then figure out what changes need to be made at altitude (if any).
I need to stay concentrated on replacing braking system(s), getting this thing tuned better and getting that OME 2.5" YJ lift conversion.
This weekend I'm going to replace sections of my Transmission to cooler lines where they split and replace what appears to be a faulty RF caliper. I know, I'm changing them out to Chevy calipers this winter, but I have about 6 more weeks where I can run this thing so...whatever...
On an unrelated note, I've made a short list of my winter work. I'm taking the Jeep back out to Colorado in July of next year and I'm going to need to address a few things...
Compete re-tune of ignition and carburetor. I had it "decent" for my 700' elevation, but that equated to not-so-decent at 7800'-12000'. I've learned that while we are all aware of how the thinner air changes your air/fuel mix, but those changes also require ignition changes as well. I need to find a happy medium, and there is one - these Jeeps ran fine in Colorado when driven off the dealer's lot. Just need to find that sweet spot.
I fixed my failed Transmission line, but I'm going to replace the other one as well and install a separate Transmission cooler.
I'm removing all my stock AC equipment. It's not used and it's in the way at present. Not junking it, just pulling it off for now. This will also allow for more air flow into the radiator.
I'm adding a YJ conversion, 2.5" OME lift kit. Looking at the Rocky-Road kit partially detailed here - Jeep CJ OME lift
I need to fix my fuel tank. It's new, but somehow I managed to get a leak in the top of it while in Colorado. Not sure where or why or how, but should be easy enough to fix. I'm sure once it's down I'll want a 20 gallon poly...we'll see.
I need to figure out how to minimize the rattle and bang of my stock tire carrier. I see one adjustment (tailgate bumper) that I've failed to make, perhaps that will be enough in-and-of-itself.
Now for the "maybe" list...
Re-gear to 3.54's... I have 2.72's that are great on the highway, and in low range I could go anywhere I wanted in the mountains - but that said I couldn't go anywhere on the highway at altitude and when I did it got too hot. I know that the engine tuning above will help this, not sure if it will eliminate it. I'm sure if I do the gears I'll drop in some Spartan lockers as well...
Replace all gauges... This is a growing pet-peeve of mine. I didn't care much in until someone on here posted the stuff that SpeedHut makes, now it seems I can't go without having the entire set. Thanks whoever!
Well it's time to re-engage this thread. It was just over 60 here this weekend so I got the CJ out and put on a few miles. First time I really put any miles on it since Colorado. I replaced a stuck brake caliper and a blown Transmission line upon return but never had a chance to run much. In any case, brakes work better than ever now. Good enough to scratch them off the list for 2015's Colorado list.
This years list has morphed a bit from one of my earlier postings after the 2014 Colorado trip. Me and TeamRush are going to go all through my ignition upgrade and redo it for the purposes of documenting it with images and video. It will include tuning the MC2100 and overall timing and advance.
I believe I will also move from my 2.72 gears to 3.54s, do some welding of a body mount, and either re-drill and enlarge the bolt holes in my OEM spare tire carrier OR I'm welding every moving part. My tailgate is fabbed in sheet metal that doesn't open so it doesn't matter so long as I don't hear it.
The last piece is a mere possibly at this point. I have a connection to someone wanting to fab in a coil suspension that would use existing leaf mounts (front-rear and rear-front). It's an adjustable lift setup as well. It would be done on the cheap as a marketing piece. We shall see if it indeed does materialize, and if it's affordable to me even with the discount.
I've secured a complete rear with 3.54s for my QuadraTrac . Then I found another with 4.10s and one piece axles. Going to get that one too and make one out of two then order a ring and pinion for my 30.
Lastly I'm going to do Speedhut gauges and fix a leak in my gas tank.
1979 Jeep CJ7 TH400 Automatic 258 I6 Quadratrac Amc 20 rear & Dana 30 front, 32 x 11.5 x 15 tires. Currently a Complete Custom Rebuild in progress.
Also I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, White, all stock with 4.0L. automatic, and police package. Best part of that is it came with leather seats! This package also has the NP242 Transfer Case, 8.25 rear end, and trailer towing package.
Hey 007. I use to live in South Central Colorado (Rye, CO) for 10 years before having to move south. Exit 74 on I-25 is Colorado State Highway 165. This takes you up into the Wet Mountains. Lost of really neat places to visit here if your interested. Road on west side takes up to 11,500 with lost of places to explore. Just west of this is a couple of small towns in the valley. Then your into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Beautiful mountain range with lots to do. Head south out of the valley and you come to the road to Durango near the National Sand Dunes. Go north instead to Hwy 50 which takes you to Nevada if you want. Here are a couple of links to the area:
Hey thank you Rod. I've been to the Sangre de Cristo's a LONG time ago (like as a child). Beautiful area. I'll check all this out for sure. Thank you...
TeamRush and I are getting together in the next 3-5 weeks to go over the ignition / timing / carburation. I need to get it exactly right, then I should be good (but a tad rich) at altitude. I'm not sure my advance is set right either.
I've given up trying to quiet that OEM spare tire carrier, so I'm going to spot weld it in several places to hopefully quiet it down. I have a patch panel in place of my tailgate so I don't need to open it anyway. Also need to repair one body mount.
Lastly I need to fix a small fuel tank leak that' somewhere near the top. I hate dropping the tank, but it is what it is. There's worse jobs.
I know I had posted about gearing and/or axle changes and those are still possible; just not sure they will get done. I think that the timing/ignition/fuel changes will make the difference I need, even if it is a sick puppy on the mountain highways. As long as it doesn't overheat I'll have no problems. If it does, I'll just flat tow it to the trail heads.
I'll do some pictures here shortly as the work begins.
Just a couple updates on my build. Found a set of complete axles Dana 30 /AMC20 with 3.54s for $100 each for my QuadraTrac . They just need to be in decent shape to be worth it. Couldn't pass that up. Also picked up a late model floor mount OEM roll bar. I also set my windshield for my blue soft top.
We have the Moser 1 pc axles for the AMC20 that we don't need. The axle tubes on our 20 are junk, but if you need anything for yours let us know. We also have all the brake parts (but drums would be heavy to ship..) If you need any of this stuff maybe we could meet half way coming from Eagle through Rockford. No pressure - just thought I would offer.
We have the Moser 1 pc axles for the AMC20 that we don't need. The axle tubes on our 20 are junk, but if you need anything for yours let us know. We also have all the brake parts (but drums would be heavy to ship..) If you need any of this stuff maybe we could meet half way coming from Eagle through Rockford. No pressure - just thought I would offer.
Yes - you are right. I was so wrapped up into thinking we might have something you could use that I forgot that you have an automatic. Somewhere in my brain in knew this was offset, but it didn't register. We need a Transmission crossmember for ours and in searching for one discovered they are different for the different transmissions. We found one from an automatic but it won't work as the dip for the Transmission is offset. DUH! You are kind - I am learning...
Yes - you are right. I was so wrapped up into thinking we might have something you could use that I forgot that you have an automatic. Somewhere in my brain in knew this was offset, but it didn't register. We need a Transmission crossmember for ours and in searching for one discovered they are different for the different transmissions. We found one from an automatic but it won't work as the dip for the Transmission is offset. DUH! You are kind - I am learning...
Okay so as I had written earlier I like the look at my original spare tire carrier. But I don't like is the noise that it makes. Since I don't have a tailgate, I figured I'd go ahead and weld up the joints and latch to keep her from rattling.
Obviously I haven't primed or painted these yet but this ought to hold it.
