Engine Suspected carb issue

[Grasshopper]

I'm having an issue with starting my 85 CJ7 , AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with Carter carb. For the first start after sitting for a day or longer, the engine turns over for a long time. Once it catches, it runs fine and will start immediately the next time I turn the key for the rest of the day. I don't drive it every day and the longer it sits, the longer it takes to start. I don't know much about carbs but I'm guessing it has to do with fuel, or lack of fuel, in the bowl on that initial start. Is that a possible answer and if so, what do I do about it? One of the POs striped a lot of stuff connected to the carb as you can see from some of the attached pics. But once it starts, it runs pretty well. Any suggestions?

 

[Jeep Soup]

My Nickel.95,
Carter carbs are Known Leakers!
Both gas and vacuum leaks.
So it might be "Priming Up" after sitting. Do you have the mechanical fuel pump, or a electric fuel pump. If electric, turn key to on, not start, let pump run a minute or two, then go through your start cycle.
AND In your 3rd picture, there is a Vacuum plug that should be replaced. It has cracks all over it.
Check all the others.

I would go shopping for a NEW Webber or Holley swap Carb kit.
Webers are Good, but you need to knock down the fuel pump pressure, and get the Vent Seal top gasket. It's a easy swap.

 

[Grasshopper]

Jeep Soup,
Thanks. I have the mechanical fuel pump. I also failed to mention the PO had the carb rebuilt a few years ago and probably put about 600 miles on it before I bought it. I'm not opposed to swapping the carb for a new Weber but I have no idea what to look for. Any particular models that work well and swap easy? Also, since none of the vacuum lines that go to the air intact are functional, do I need that big air intake or can it be replaced with just an air cleaner?
I'll check those vacuum caps and replace. Thanks!

 

[Jeep Soup]

Here is a couple of Flea Bay listings. I would call Redline Directly and you probably can get a deal on both of these.
The gasket in the second listing is what you want to Seal Off the Bowl Vent. The fuel bowl is open by the Back Bowl Wall to the Air Jets. This gasket seals that so at extreme angles, Fuel doesn't simply pour over and into the air jet cavity. Redline will get you set up.... It's only money

 

[Jeep Soup]

,
I tried to transfer them but no go.
Look up Redline Carburetors, Weber for Jeep AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l Inline 6.
Call them, they are good

 

[Grasshopper]

Jeep Soup,
Would the Weber K551 kit be appropriate?

 

[Jeep Soup]

That is what I seen on Flea Bay
A Weber 32-36 with electric choke. There is also a 38-38 that should be available. But these a Mechanical throttle plates. Both open at the same time.
Like I said, call Redline, Looks are Free, and they will get you the Right Stuff including carb linkages.

 

[CJ27]

I'll start by saying that I currently know very little about carburetors; however, I did get my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l started again yesterday. I have the K551 kit on mine. When I put on a new mechanical fuel pump, it stopped working. I read that the Weber 38/38 carb works in what sounded to me like a fairly narrow pressure range of 2.5-4.5 psi. Yesterday, I put on a fuel pressure gauge and a pressure regulator to test it. The new pump was getting out about 6psi to the Weber. I turned the regulator down to about 3psi, and was very excited to have my CJ running again. Jeep Soup also mentioned the fuel pressure, so I was chiming in that I agree that Webers work best at a controlled pressure range.
Now, today maybe I can learn the beginnings of how to adjust the idle and mix screws.

 

[CJ]

~~~
Now, today maybe I can learn the beginnings of how to adjust the idle and mix screws.

We have an extensive document and resource area. Maybe this will help you

Weber Carburetor Set Up and Lean Best Idle Adjustment (Link)-> Weber Carburetor Set Up and Lean Best Idle Adjustment -<

 

[Jeep Soup]

Very Good !!
There is Good Information on Weber Carburetors out there.
Please read as much as you can
so you can Dial In your set up.
They are a EASY Carburetor to work with !! With a little more experience/time with it, you be Very Happy with your choice.

Just to note, I have Webers on multiple vehicles of mine, including a Twin 38-38 set up on a Ford 300 six in my Retro Rat Rod.

 

[Grasshopper]

Very nice! Think I'll go ahead with the K551-38 and the fuel pressure regulator. I did replace all the vacuum caps but no noticeable improvement.

 

[Jeep Soup]

There is another post similar to yours on this site also.
I posted a Vacuum Gauge Readings chart there.
But here it is again.

 

[Turbogus]

Those Carter YFA's are in fact great little carburetors. I've had these things on as large as a Ford 300 and they're so dang easy to rebuild. Stone knives and bear skins easy.