[SuperDave1984]

If the guy can locate the title I'll be picking up a 97 XJ with a well built 350 under the hood. It runs, rides, and drives awesome! Wasn't built for wheeling though, but to be a daily driver. It still has stock axles. Guy said it's a D30/35 setup and that's what it looked like when I got under it. 3" lift with 31" tires. I am guessing if I don't go larger on the tires and am careful with the skinny pedal I'll be OK with the 35 out back until I can save up for a 44. If I get it I'll post up pics.

How weird it is my 350th post is regarding an XJ with a 350 in it?

[Outlaw]

Well for a quick fix. Pick up an Chrysler 8.25 and drop in. Its a lot stronger and would likely have the right gears in it already. And would be a direct bolt in.

[SuperDave1984]

I was hoping for an 8.25 in that year. Rough Country lift and 31's. The body's straight, but 3 doors and a fender are different color because he said there were some dents and he didn't want to use a bunch of bondo. He built it to be a DD, hence the stock axles. All it needs is some gauges, a rear bumper and a driver's seatbelt. Picking it up tomorrow.

phone pics!

[Outlaw]

Are you sure its not an 8.25 The 8.25 and the D35 look a lot alike. I have seen some mix them up.

[SuperDave1984]

Pics you say? Immediate plans are for getting a working speedometer and fuel gauge, followed by a new windshield, paint for the mismatched panels, front/rear bumpers, winch, tires, and finally upgrading the stock D-35 rear. I think I did pretty good for $3000. Interior is very good, body pretty straight.











EDIT: Looking at the pic of the rear of the Jeep, maybe it is an 8.25. Looks flat on bottom.

[SuperDave1984]

It has a carb which I am fine with. Has a mechanical fuel pump which is also fine. Here's where it gets weird. It seems that the guy who built it retained the original electric fuel pump and it feeds the mechanical pump. I assume the mechanical pump sort of regulates the pressure or something. Not sure. Anyway, not the electric pump appears to be dying.

Should I replace it and continue with the setup as-is? It does (did) work pretty well.

Disconnect the electric pump, modify the return line to be used as the fuel line and just keep going with the mechanical?

Replace both with a good low pressure electric pump (I have one brand new for another project)?

Which is the simplest, most reliable, cost effective method? Not going to go with fuel injection so that's not an option. Too expensive at this time.

[JeepinIan]

The mechanical has 1 line in and 1 out, corect?

The electrical pump has an additional line that works as a return?

Personally, I would get rid of the electrical, and cap off the return, you should already have a feed line that goes frmo the electrical to the mechnaical. I think the electrical is redundant.

If the mechanical cannot keep the fuel pressure up for your carb, then I would eliminate the mechanical and put in a lower pressure electrical, 7 - 8 PSI is all you should need, with a pressure regulator between it and the carb. If you do keep the electrical, place it somewhere easy to get to and keep a spare.

I have placed a filter before the inlet on electrical pumps before as they tend to be more picky than a mechanical.

[SuperDave1984]

I was kind of leaning toward removing the electric pump and keeping the mechanical. I do have a brand new electric, low pressure pump, but I don't like the idea of an external pump on an off road used vehicle. Granted it won't be off road much, but my luck would dictate getting it whacked by a rock or something and spewing fuel everywhere burning my XJ to the ground and half the woods around it.
I just hate having to drop the tank. I just filled up the day before this started.

[JeepinIan]

You couild place the electric under the hood or tucked above the skid plate for the t-case.