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Dad's 1954 CJ-3b

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by NitroSteel, Oct 2, 2005.

  1. NitroSteel

    NitroSteel New Member

    My dad bought an old beater of a CJ-3B and has done ALOT of work to it. He actually has it looking really good and it runs fairly well, although it doesn't have very much power at all. I'm not a very knowledgable "Jeeper", but it appears to have an engine just like my 68CJ-5 has (a F-134).

    The problem with his Jeep is that it will not run worth a crap until it warms up and it takes 10 minutes of running down the road to get it to warm up (until the temp gauge is up to about 130 or higher). Also it doesn't have very much power on top end even then. It will run about 40 mph according to my GPS, but it takes forever to get past 35.

    We put a new Solex carb on it and it has new exaust, new plugs, wires, points, condenser, etc. It does smoke some, but it runs pretty smoothly.

    Any ideas on why it takes so long to warm up or why it is SO lacking in power?

    Any suggestion on what might could be wrong with it or how to fix it would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank ya'll,

    NitroSteel
     
    NitroSteel, Oct 2, 2005
    #1
  2. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    What's the compression like on it?

    Valves need adjusted?

    Just guessing at stuff. I'm sure Tim, Jim or Bill will be by with better suggestions.
     
    sparky, Oct 2, 2005
    #2
  3. blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    Timing and dwell........
     
    blevisay, Oct 2, 2005
    #3
  4. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    got a t/stat ??
    if not, stick a 180* in there
    if it does have one, is it stuck open?

    engine: X2 what sparky and billy said
     
    jpflat2a, Oct 2, 2005
    #4
  5. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    3Bs also have the F-head, so yes it should be just like yours. If the points are fine I'd say the timing is retarded.
     
    Glenn, Oct 2, 2005
    #5
  6. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    I'd run a compression check ASAP. All cylinders should be withing 10-20 lbs of each other. One hole that is drastically lower than the others usually means a burnt/sticking valve, if all of them are low then your rigs are most likely worn. HTH ;)
     
    w3srl, Oct 2, 2005
    #6
  7. kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Whoever said timing and dwell --- I'll second that.


    It also could be as simple as accelerator pedal. I once had a jeep that just would not get out of its own way. Turns out that someone had cut off part of the threaded rod coming from the accelerator and it would not advance the throttle on the carb much beyond idle.....
     
    kamel, Oct 3, 2005
    #7
  8. NitroSteel

    NitroSteel New Member

    We haven't "completely" resolved this, but we brought a qualified mechanic over and he thinks it is probably a burnt valve. You can hardly tell a difference whether the plug wire is on or off of the 3rd cylinder. On top of this the rings seem to be badly worn, it smokes and uses oil.

    I think he's just going to run it as is until it dies. He pretty much uses it on the farm like a golf cart...
     
    NitroSteel, Oct 11, 2005
    #8