willysmjeeps.com

Last fall I experienced some hard starting, poor idling and occasional stalling at stop signs that seemed to be carb related. I ended up pulling the Carter off and replacing it with a Solex just before a big trail ride we have in September. The Solex seemed to address the above problems but doesn't seem to have the performance of the original. We figured the main issue with the carter was the fact that the throttle shaft was sloppy and needed bushings or the like.

After the trail ride the Jeep died when the points fell apart so it is possible that some of the problems were related to that impending failure.

Anyway, I called a carburetor shop in Flint (about two hours from me) where I just happen to be going to drop my wife at the airport tomorrow, and asked if they do repair service. When I told the guy about the loose throttle shaft he didn't think that was likely to cause any driveability issues, at least not the ones I described.

I'd like to hear what the true experts among you think so I don't sound like a total idiot when I talk to him.

Thanks for your help!

Tim

The worn shaft bushings will cause an uneven idle due to changes in the throttle plate position caused by the loose shaft as the engine running jars the shaft and by changes in idle mixture caused by the same losseness allowing varying amounts of extra air in. This usually has nothing to do with hard starting.

Hard starting is usually an ignition or available voltage issue to turn the starter fast enough. The choke system and damaged metering/accelerator pump diaphragms can cause hard starting issues.

Decisions to go with electric fuel pumps and aftermarket carbs are always a band aid for a simple "needs to be fixed" item. I would put my money on the point issue for your hard starting and the throttle bushings for the uneven idle.