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My '81 journey. . . so far.

spankrjs said:
Could be a bad HEI module, even if it is new.

Does this HEI set up have an external coil?
Click to expand...
It has the coil bolted to the top. I guess that will be my next step to see what I need to do to test that. It is being fickle if it is bad since I am getting spark. If that is bad, I need to figure out where to get a replacement. If I have to go through D.U.I. or if I can get it from a parts house.
 
Ok, tested the coil, all good based on numbers from D.U.I. for the coil. I know that is good. Fresh plugs, gapped at .44. Tried starting it, she actually stumbled a little bit but still didn't catch. So I am thinking that I might be a few degrees out. Not sure where else to go with it though. Might try using starting fluid to get her going, just to see if she'll catch. If it works, then I know it actually is fuel that is the problem. I am thinking I might be trouble shooting more than one thing at a time here.
As for the gauge, I got a surprise text a few days ago. So, the SpeedHut gauge is on the way, well once its out of production. I want to get her running before the gauge gets here.
 
So close. It is timing, I am off in one direction or another. I just have to figure out which way to go, advance or retard the timing. I used brake cleaner as I didn't have a can of starting fluid handy, and she tried to start. Ran like crap when I finally got her to start over on her own. Once I figure out the direction to spin that dizzy, I think I can get her running. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel that isn't a freight train!
 
LIFE!!!!!
Finally, I got life in the old 258 last night. I spent about an hour tinkering with the dizzy and got her running! Not drivable yet, as I am still a bit off and think I may be chasing a fuel issue at the same time. Not stressed about that, simple fuel system. I'll get to that this weekend I think.
As for the timing, I am a little confused though. When I put the timing light on her while she was running (I could get about 5 to 10 minutes and she'd stall) It looked like it was 10 to 15 degrees retarded and when I tried to advance it, as the HEI install suggests setting it to 10 to 15 degrees advanced, it wouldn't start or run. So I am a little bit confused about that, but I'll figure that out as well. I am just pumped that I got the old girl to start and run on her own. I may be pulling the carb to clean it and replacing the fuel pump since I may (I will be checking for sure) be dealing with a fuel issue as well just to make life simple haha!
I will be working on her again Sunday/Monday to see if I can get it cleared up and get her drivable. But now I'm getting excited. And yes, I know that there has been a roller coaster in this process, but honestly, its going to be so worth it!
Thanks to everyone that offered up suggestions and help with direction to go in this. And to those that just read it and moved on, thanks for letting me vent. 15 year old me is so happy that 48 year old me got her running, and that is what matters most.
 
Got it!
I was chasing 2 problems. I looked at my fuel regulator and it was at 4psi! I don't remember turning it up that high, the damn carb only needs 2.5 to 3.5psi. I turned it down to 3psi, adjusted the distributor again, fired right up and stayed running, rough but running. While it was running I turned the distributor to advance it and she smoothed right out and started purring like a kitten. I checked with the timing light, and she is about 12 degrees advanced. I drove it around the back yard a bit to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I'll have a chance to take her on the street this week and make sure its good. FINALLY!!

Again, thanks for letting me vent and stumble through this to get her back up and running! Now the real work begins haha. I have a lot of little projects to get her where I want her. But none of it is as pressing as getting her running again.

As for the gauge, she is toast for sure, the temp sensor is working, I get readings off of it when it warms up, but the gauge isn't moving at all. I know the fuel tank has at least 1/3 of a tank and the fuel level never goes above E. The SpeedHut gauge should be shipping in the next week or so and that should fix that.

I am going to keep updating this as I knock projects off of the list. Another 8, back on the road baby!
 
Found a new issue when driving it the other day. When I would use the turn signal (I know, especially here in Las Vegas, foreign concept) it would blink 3 times max and then stay on. The relay would get super hot. So, as BigWalton suggested, add a ground. I installed a small ground busbar and ran a wire straight to the battery and put all of the chassis grounds under the dash to that. Plus I put flasher relays that have a dedicated ground wire and ran that to the busbar. Ta da! My turn signals work properly again. However, adding another ground from the gauge to the busbar didn't fix the fuel and temp gauges. Again, I think they are toast. But, if all goes well I am going to try driving her to work this week sometime, just to see how she does on more than a quick trip around the block. I have a feeling I will barely get out of first gear since most roads are 35mph or less, except one road that is 45mph.
Patiently waiting on my SpeedHut gauge and putting the list together of what needs fixed and what can wait. Now that I have crossed the hurdle of getting her running, I am super excited to start moving forward with the rest of the mountain of little projects. Hopefully, and I am being highly optimistic here, I can take a trip one of these days to Moab. Ever since I started wheeling back in 2002 or so, it has been a dream destination for me to go offroading.
 
Going to be interesting to see if the S Hut gauges fix the fuel tank reading. I understand the Moab thing. I rented a CJ7 back in the mid 90s for a day there, and only got back out there with my Jeep 2 years ago. :cheers:
 
You would think living in Vegas would make me lucky, hell no. I got through the install of the new gauge, and I have to admit I don't know when this new problem arose. Now, whenever I turn the key on, the dash fuse pops. Every single time. It has to be either my oil pressure gauge, volt gauge, or the headlight switch. I have the power and ground along with turn signal and high beam wires hooked to the new gauge and those work just fine. I am going to replace the headlight switch and remove the wires from the other 2 gauges tonight and see what happens. If it weren't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all.
 
Not sure what the issue was. I took the volt meter and oil pressure gauges out of the equation (going to replace with speedhut to match the speedometer) then double checked my wiring, put a fresh fuse in, turned the key on and the speedometer powered right up! Plugged the temp harness in, no issues. Plugged the fuel sender harness in, no issues. Buttoned it up and went through the setup and I’m in business again! I do need to replace the headlight switch, nothing lights up on the dash when I turn the lights on. I’ve also got a bad ground in the rear lights as the turn signals are blinking twice and then staying on solid. I’m guessing it is in the tail lights as I ran extra grounds on the front, but not the rear.

@Belizeit, the fuel gauge works just fine now. I’m guessing that the fuse was blown before and I didn’t realize it. That could be why my old gauge wasn’t working, maybe. I did test it and it failed, so who knows.

You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face when I took her out. Don’t care how imperfect she is, I was in heaven. What a roller coaster!
 
Yet another positive update on, what I have decided to call Project Rowena. The wife and I took her to an event at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend. It was my wife's birthday Sunday and she wanted to take the 8 for the adventure. She drove pretty smooth and other than the turn signal issue that I'm still chasing, I was super happy with her performance. After the drive home, I realized she likes to mark her territory and I will need to fix that rear main seal, the leak is pretty bad. However, I drove her to work this morning anyway. I did find out that the 3 speed is actually really fun to drive. I can't really shift into 3rd until at least 50+ as I tried at 45mph this morning and she bogged down hard core. Slid back to 2nd and she ran so nice. The more I fix and can continue to enjoy the 8, the more I am so happy about this Jeep. Once she is out on the road and I'm in the wind, no doors, no top, no radio, just me and one hell of a machine, all the little issues just melt away. Waiting on the SpeedHut oil pressure gauge and going to start collecting the parts I need for all the little repairs. The Mrs. got me a few totes to store parts in as I get them in so I know what I have for what and they are all in the same place. I am so pleased that she is on board with this and supporting the addiction 100% haha.
 
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