My friend has a 1986 amc jeep cherokee (I know it is not bow tie, but it has the bow tie 2.8l in it), ran out of gas last weekend. It had been sitting for about 2 months before that. After putting gas into it, the truck wouldn't start! So we changed the ign coil, plugs, fuel filter, oil, and gas! Well it started, but now it was shooting out brown and black smoke! It wouldn't idle and was running like a piece of crap! Now it won't even start. Can you guys help?

Thanks,
Chris

86 was FI right? I know the trucks were still carbed but I thought the cars were FI. Which leads me to "what year vehicle is the engine from?" You probably got rust in everything. the lines, the pump, the injectors/venturi/jets whatever.

They were carbed in 86.

I have an '86 2.8 power XJ too. When it gets cold out (like 50deg and colder), it is a PITA to keep running when it's first started. It'll idle like crap and stall if I don't keep my foot in it a bit untill it warms up enough to smooth out. Once warmed, it runs perfect. Whats probably happened is close to what mine will do if allowed to stall after it's first fired, it'll fuel foul the plugs and it's a b*tch to restart. Remove the plugs and clean them and re-install and it should take off. I've yet to take the time to trace out the problem, it's just too damn cold out:D :D

That 2.8 is the worst engine ever... you would be lucky to get 100k out of that pig!! he'll be better off with the 2.5L 4 banger. You can swap in the 4.3 vortec and be good to go.

GM also has a crate 3.4L which was designed to bolt right in place of the 2.8L. Another option is to geta later 2.8L w/ FI. I had one in my '92 S10 that ran well over 174K when I sold it and never had any problems.

Since it's a Jeep though, get a 4.0L. :D

Right now his budget is limited, so no engine swaps. He really wants to stay away from fuel injection just because he isn't mechanical inclined to do the swap, nor am I.
The 4.0l is the hardest engine to actually adapt to one of these things, it would be easier to put a 350 in it just because they are so long! If we ever do do a swap it will probably be either a 3.4, 3.8 or 4.3l engine.
He bought the carb kit, so we are going to try to rebuild it tonight, I will let you guys know how it goes, thanks!

Originally posted by Lincolnloc
That 2.8 is the worst engine ever... you would be lucky to get 100k out of that pig!! he'll be better off with the 2.5L 4 banger. You can swap in the 4.3 vortec and be good to go.

SSHHHHH! Don't tell mine that. 190K+and still going. It's being replaced in the spring though. I have a MPFI 2.8 from a Camaro to replace it with:D