Good afternoon, this is my first post, and question. I have recently been rejuvenating my Jeep, and as part of that i have needed to replace a few parts. Be it noted, i am not a Mechanic, so play nicely. My sons (17) and I as part of the quarantine have been working together on this thing, as project based learning. We have replaced the gas tank, which had rusted out, blew out the fuel lines as part of that. Replaced the headers, which had rusted out. The new headers are nearly identical, however the new mufflers are chambered, more noise, less pressure (I am guessing) We have also done some remedial suspension work. (shackle bushings, shocks) we have also replaced the tires, brake shoes and some other minor cosmetic items. we also did basic maintenance, oil change, add antifreeze...We are looking to rebuild the carburetor soon. My attitude has been if it ain't broke...don't fix it.
This Jeep, up to yesterday has started and ran nearly perfectly (with the exception of an electronic ignition issue in the 80s) it is now rough on the idle, and inconsistent starting on the first turn.
The issue came up yesterday when the boys took the Jeep for a trip to the Gym, then the market, back roads about 5 miles there, the car sat for 1 hour, then they ran a quick errand to the market. Jeep sat 15 minutes. On their way back home, they took the highway, traveling around 55 mph and about half way home, the jeep began to sputter, back fire etc. They called me and I ran out to help them, thinking i would tow them home. Turns out i started the Jeep, it sputtered, and popped (no backfire or flames out the pipes) however it struggled to get to a higher rpm. I got the car up to speed by putting it from first to third (3 speed) then i was able to get it home. Once home I immediately parked in the garage to let it cool. I noticed two things; there was a large bulge/bulb in the top radiator hose where it enters the engine. second there was a slight radiator leak out the overflow, maybe a teaspoon. I have driven it since and could not recreate the popping or backfire, though i did not drive if for the duration that the boys did.
I have found other similar posts and threads which i tried to paste the links but being a newby i was not allowed.
check:
vacuum
carburetion
fuel line
points
etc.
I will follow the suggestions in those threads but would also like a bit of advice, if you see something here that catches your eye.
Thanks in advance
JS
