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65 Cj5 No Power

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019.

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  1. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    I have the 4 cyl hurricane engine in my 65, and I can't reach 35 mph unless I'm on a downhill. I'm completely new to this stuff, what can I do to make it go faster? I know that it doesn't go fast but I assumed that 40 or 45 was doable. Thanks!
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #1
  2. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Yours should be able to easily go 50 mph plus. Have you compared it to something like GPS, or have someone follow you to check your actual speed?
     
    Glenn, Jan 23, 2019
    #2
  3. 3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Are you certain that the transfer case is in high range?
     
    3b a runnin, Jan 23, 2019
    #3
  4. jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Check to make sure you aren't in 4 wheel? 50 shouldn't be a stretch.
    Download a speedometer app, and compare it to the gauge. You wont go fast by any means, but 35 isn't right.
     
    jeepstar, Jan 23, 2019
    #4
  5. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    I had my friend follow me once and he said that we were around 30 the whole time, and I was flooring it in 3rd gear. If I shift to 4th it chugs.
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #5
  6. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    No, how would I check that? Is that the stick next to the gear shifter? It's in 2 high.
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #6
  7. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    I checked and it's in 2 high. I'll definitely download an app to check though.
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #7
  8. jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    new spark plugs and wires then?
     
    jeepstar, Jan 23, 2019
    #8
  9. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    I got new spark plugs but I'm using the old wires. Would that help?
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #9
  10. jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    its a cheap check.
    how clean is your carb? clean clean? can you get high RPMS if you are in neutral?
     
    jeepstar, Jan 23, 2019
    #10
  11. jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    distributor good? if you have points, they are all clean?
     
    jeepstar, Jan 23, 2019
    #11
  12. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    So you have the 4-spd? (y)

    What size are your tires?
     
    ITLKSEZ, Jan 23, 2019
    #12
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  13. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    I bought a rebuild kit for the shop that had it so I'd imagine it would be clean! And yes, in neutral it can reach high RPMs. I'm not sure about the distributor, how do I check that?
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #13
  14. Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Post number 5 says "If I shift to 4th it chugs".
    My 65 4 cyl only has 3.
     
    Greevesman, Jan 23, 2019
    #14
  15. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    The 4 speed, yep! I'm not sure, I can check later tonight. I'm not sure if its completely on the tires though, because when my grandfather was driving it many years ago with these he could get it going 45. Would larger tires be worth the cost in your opinion?
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #15
  16. nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    Mine has 4! Not that 4th gear is doing much at the moment. :lol:
     
    nolehynaws, Jan 23, 2019
    #16
  17. jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    take the top off. there should be 2 tabs on the side where the plug wires go into. just mark how it came off so you can put it back on the same.

    with the cap off, look for any corrosion under the cap. if there is, it may be time for either an electronic distributor, or cleaning up the inside points and condensers.
     
    jeepstar, Jan 23, 2019
    #17
  18. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    You should be able to cruise all day at 45 mph on any tires you can physically fit on there & hit 60 on a level road.

    Do the basics-

    Check the timing

    Check fuel flow

    Set the points

    Suspect bad ignition parts

    Do a compression test​

    Note that the carb rebuild kits are specific to the carter SD carb as used on the jeep, these carbs were also used on other vehicles but the generic kits don't work well for the jeep version.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Jan 23, 2019
    #18
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  19. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    If it has a 4 speed, then 3rd gear is not really the 1:1 drive gear....Is there anyway to determine what rpm you are at when you are cruising at 35mph in 4th gear? chugging seems about right....so why isn't it pulling up to power? Is the clutch slipping? Is the timing off (my first guess). Not getting enough fuel? I would think larger tires would cause you to go slower (or at least it would act more sluggishly) with the 4cyl as it might not have enough power to accelerate them quickly.
     
    FinoCJ, Jan 23, 2019
    #19
  20. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    I was only asking because bigger tires will suck the power out of an F-head pretty quickly. We don't know if you're rolling down the road on giant 37s and someone swapped in 2.54 gears... :shrug:
    We just try to cover all the bases to know what we're dealing with.
     
    ITLKSEZ, Jan 23, 2019
    #20
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