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1BDWAGN
09-06-2003, 05:36 PM
Well, I have been trying to get the idle on my 88 Wagoneer to be smooth for a while but it just isn't happening. I have replaced all the vaccum lines and in doing so realized that the carb on the Wagon must not be original as it has no vacuum connections in the front and no bowl vent either. Also it doesn't have the half barrel the 2150 is suppose to have. But I made sure all the vacuum hoses that were suppose to be connected have the proper vacuum source teed in somewhere (except the bowl vent line). Today I messed with the timming but set it by ear (can barely see timing marks) I also adjusted the mixture screws on the carb after taking the top off and checking the float setting. I then installed some Taylor 8mm plug wires from my 69 Firebird as they had half the resistance of the cheap wires that were on there. I also have checked the hose that connects to the power brake booster and it was ok and I disconnected and plug it off just in case the booster was leaking. No change, in idle quality. My vacuum gauge reads just a hair over 15" with the needle bouncing rapdily about 1/2 a pound. I have sprayed all around the engine compartment and there was no noticeable change in idle. I did perform a compression test a week ago and all cylinders except one varied between 125 and 132. For some reason No. 8 was 142. So a few days ago I poured some Sea Foam down the carb and nearly choked myself to death when starting her up as all the smoke came rolling in the back windows. The EGR is not stuck and appears to be functioning properly. The timing mark does not jump around at idle and all the plug wires are on the correct plug. I just can't get it to smooth out at idle once I give it some gas and get rolling it is perfectly smooth. I have some performance upgrades planned but I am afraid to do it if I can't get this figured out. I may run another compression test tomorrow to see what it says. Anyone have any suggestions? Is there something I have overlooked?

2Stock
09-07-2003, 10:34 AM
You might want to paint the timing marks white so you can set the timing with certainty. Also you might want to start your mods by getting a carb that has all of the connections you need. smile.gif

1BDWAGN
09-07-2003, 12:06 PM
I agree about the carb aspect however everything is hooked to the proper vacuum source except the carb bowl vent line from the charcoal canister. My plan was to buy a CustomEFIS TBI kit but I want to make sure this motor is going to last for a while before I start swapping the cam and getting a better exhaust system and intake and etc, etc.I just did another compression test and here are the new readings
Cyl result
1 135
3 132
5 132
7 130
2 131
4 145?!
6 125
8 152?!
I am really tempted to just forget building the AMC 360 and swap in a Chevy. I am sure there are people that don't like that idea but right now the timing cover has a small leak as well as the rear main and just recently I started getting small exhaust leaks from both exhaust manifolds. Plus the emissions tech told me the TBI kit was not legal in AZ unless it has a carb #. But swapping in a newer year motor and all emissions equipment was legal.