POP...POP... What the....

[JDJeep98]

My 90 GW has the stock carb and TFI ignition upgrade (I haven't bypassed the resistor wire yet). The plugs are gapped to about .044, the timing is set to 10deg BTDC, and it runs really smoothly... normally. smile.gif
First of all, when the temperature is just starting to come up, and you give it a little gas, either it stalls, or it backfires through the carb. Yesterday, I was starting it after sitting about an hour and it popped three times through the carb while it was cranking. (very embarassing when everyone is watching your Jeep) :mad:
It doesn't seem to have as much power as a 360 v8 should have. If I get on it, it accelerates, but there is no sense of *power*. In fact, more than 1/3 to 1/2 throttle doesn't seem to make any difference. :(
I don't think this is normal. My wife's v6 minivan has far more power than the Waggy does. :confused:
Any ideas where I should look??? :confused:
Thanx in advance.

[SpruceMoose]

she's runnin' lean, captain!

sm.

[JDJeep98]

Originally posted by SpruceMoose:
she's runnin' lean, captain!

sm.<begin Scottish accent:> I'm sorry, Sir! The dilithium crystals are almost drained! If I push her any harder, she's gonna blow! <end Scottish accent> :eek: ;) tongue.gif

OK, lean makes sense. I'm assuming then that, since it happens during warmup only, that the choke is opening too soon. :confused: Does that sound reasonable? But if there doesn't seem to be enough power once it's warmed up, is there a mixture adjustment I can set for non-idle jets? I would use a vacuum gauge for setting mixture, woudln't I?

[Cecil14]

The choke thing sounds about right but the other complaint of lack of power is probably just that. It doesn't have the power you want and won't with the stock setup. smile.gif What you need to do, if it's possible where you're at, is to get a 4bbl carb and preferably intake and compliment that with a free-flow exhaust. That alone will make a world of difference, then if you wanna get into the motor a little farther an RV cam will waken that motor up quite a bit.

Anthony

[JDJeep98]

That sounds like something I would like to do in the near future. What's the cheapest approach to getting a 4bbl on the 360? Junkyard? Which engines would work? Is it possible to do the swap without changing out the manifold?
Thanx

[Cecil14]

A manifold from any post '71 AMC V8 (304,360,401) will work. Some are squarebore and some are spreadbore. Which you want depends on what carb you plan to run. You can also get them from edelbrock for a decent price, plus they're aluminum and drop about #50 from the engine weight.

I think you can probably find an adapter to put a 4bbl on your 2bbl manifold but you would be a lot farther ahead to go ahead and get a 4bbl manifold. I think I got my stock 4bbl intake for $75 at a boneyard. You may be able to find one cheaper, don't know. If you find one that needs to be shipped check shipping first as they weigh about 75#.

Anthony

[89grand]

While a 4bbl will give you more power no doubt I don't believe that is the answer to your problem. I have a stock 360 with only a TFI and MSD upgrade with 144,000 miles and my engine has a decent amount of acceleration power even with 2.73 gears and 31" tires so a stock 360 should run better than how you describe yours.

The lean condition sounds right considering the back firing in the carb. A lean condition can be caused by a number of things, i.e. vacuum leaks, loose carburator screws. There has been a debate on here before regarding the idle mixture screws effecting a lean condition or only effecting idle. I believe that the mixture screws effect the overall leaness of the engine not just at idle and I believe this because of experiments I've done myself on a number of engines.

I would try turning the mixture screws out one turn and check the results, one more turn and check the results. I think you'll find that the mixture screws will effect how the motor runs. Also check for vacuum leaks and check the screws that hold the carburetor together and the nuts that mount the carb to the intake.