I've run myself into a problem and need some direction. I ran my CJ out of gas in the woods behind my house, but when I put gas back in it took a while to turn over. In the process I burned out my solenoid switch. After I replaced it, the jeep started right up, but it won't idle anymore. The only way it stays running is if you stay on the throttle. Anyone know what this may be? The jeep is an '81 cj-7 with an '87 360 out of a grand wagoneer. I also get a serious hesitation on acceleration, but that was happening before this.

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

Have you checked the fuel filter?

Sounds like the junk in the tank and the fuel bowl got into the idle jets of the carburator.
First thing I'd do is to twist the jets all the way IN to the seat, being careful NOT to twist too tight. While counting the turns and partial turns. Then I'd twist them back out to the starting point. Then I'd start her and warm her up and see if she did good again...if not then I'd mess with the jets some to see if I could get it to idle with the jets.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Well, I replaced the fuel filter, turned the idle screws all the way in and back out (it was just over a turn and a half each) and gave the carb a shot of carb and choke cleaner. I was able to get it to idle for a little, but just getting the thing into the garage was a battle. It dies as soon as you put any load on it, so I checked the timing, but it was right at 8 degrees BTDC. Any other ideas?

Possibly clogged exhaust.

Was it running good before you ran out of gas?

Since it ran out of gas, I would start at the filter. May have sucked a bunch of crap out of the bottom of the tank and carried it up to the filter. From there, follow the flow to the carb.

Change the fuel filter (I use one out of a 92 ford 350 fuel injection, much bigger) Rebuild the carb. I rebuild/clean mine so often, I carry a spare kit and can of brake clean in the glove box. While you have it apart pull the fuel line off the pump and shoot a little air through the fuel line back to the tank. Same with the lines from the charcoal filter if you still run it. If all that doesn't fix it, you might have to pull the tank to change the filter on the pick up.

Since the first few attempts didn't solve the problems and I had a new MC-2150 sitting in the garage, I decided to throw that on and see what the effect was. The jeep now starts up on half a crank and there is no hesitation at all. But it idles way too well... anywhere from 1200-2000 RPM and I can't get it down.

I searched for other threads on adjusting the idle, but my problem seems to be different than what I found. The idle mixture screws are less than 1 turn out from seated, and the curb idle screw isn't even touching the throttle arm, but the thing won't slow down. If I attempt to manually close the throttle, the idle slows down, but there is really no room to move it. The accelerator cable is loose enough that it is not holding it open. I rechecked the timing and withouut the vacuum advance on it seems to idle correctly (750-800). Thoughts?

Thanks again for all of the help!

Howdy Dan Ok, them 2150's have two screws on the BOTTOM that when bolted down to SOME plates interfere with the sealing!!! Pull it off and when upside down hold the plate in position and I'm betting your problem is excess air. The solution is to simply modify the PLATE so the screws no longer interfere with it and the seal can be effective..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Would those screws happen to be on the driver's side rear of the carb? When I sprayed carb cleaner around it, that was the only area that it seemed to make a difference. I thought it was the line from the PCV valve and put a new hose on, but maybe not...