Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

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miamitj
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri May 03, 2019 5:49 pm

Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

Post by miamitj »

Hi

Im finally getting back to work on the Jeep (76 5.2 2barrel) 83 engine) and need to address the mechanical issues. Really the only problem I have is the carb - it's shot. It's bad enough where it runs absurdly rich and I see fuel pooling up around it when it's running.

I just want to replace it and need an idea of what to get. Carb posts here seen to mention just buy an original and dont mess with a Weber/Holly/Edelbrock. My complication is i know the engine is not the original 76 and I'm not sure the year. In addition, most of the vacuum system has been pulled and capped - 1 line from dist to carb remains.

Thoughts on what carb to buy?
Omi - Miami, Fl

1976 Cherokee S AMC 360
2015 JKU

76 Cherokee Build Thread
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tgreese
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Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

Post by tgreese »

Any aftermarket carburetor will need to be tuned to the engine it's fitted to. Aftermarket carburetors provide a lot more latitude in tuning than OEM carbs, and this can either be helpful (if you know what you are doing) or not. How much experience do you have tuning engines?

Unless you change to a different manifold, you should stick with a 2V carburetor. New replacement OEM carburetors are being made for these Jeeps, with varying reports of quality. The only 2V aftermarket carb I would consider is the Holley 2300 series, which comes in 350 and 500 CFM versions, for street or marine use. Lots of accessories and tune-ability, but again you'll need to step up and deal with configuring it for your engine.

OEM carburetors are constructed from the factory to work and be in-tune for the original application. Minimal flexibility, but they don't need any since they are for a single application. The original 2V carburetor is shown in the 1976 TSM here: https://oljeep.com/edge_parts_man.html There is also an '82 TSM there, which will be very close to the year of the engine. The vacuum system and devices are also detailed. I predict if you put the '76 carburetor and devices on an '83 engine, it will run fine, and vice-versa. You should also be able to run an '83 carburetor with all the '76 plumbing and it will be fine. Look for a tag number on the carburetor.

If you have the original carburetor, an actual carburetor shop can rebuild it. It's also not that difficult to rebuild them yourself, if you are up to it.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

GrandW
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Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 6:19 pm

Re: Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

Post by GrandW »

Not sure on the cost of a new carb, but what about going to fuel injection? Just a thought.
1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer
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tgreese
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Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

Post by tgreese »

GrandW wrote: Thu Mar 26, 2020 7:40 am Not sure on the cost of a new carb...
Like $400 up for the 2300, maybe $250ish for the import OEM repop.

EFI FTW at ca $1000-1500ish bolt-on.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.

Eldog22
Posts: 47
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2019 8:52 pm

Re: Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

Post by Eldog22 »

I have a 2bbl 2100 off a 73 360 that probably needs a rebuild that I can let go of.

Jdm1990gw
Posts: 65
Joined: Sat Feb 01, 2020 6:28 pm

Re: Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

Post by Jdm1990gw »

I have a new Summit on mine. Fairly cheep and does the job until I can afford an EFI
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miamitj
Posts: 59
Joined: Fri May 03, 2019 5:49 pm

Re: Carb / Vacuum help on a 76' Cherokee

Post by miamitj »

So a quick update. I found a local guy that specializes in old carbs and would rebuild my carburetor. Tore it off and went to take it to him. Then covid happened. after waiting a month and realizing he was never going to get to my carb I decided to order a cheap car from Amazon for $90.

Bolted it up and it worked perfect. So far so good. Runs like new!

The plan is when Covid is gone, I'll get this gentleman to rebuild my original carburetor and reinstall it. Until now my American muscle will be fed by Chinese crap...
Omi - Miami, Fl

1976 Cherokee S AMC 360
2015 JKU

76 Cherokee Build Thread
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