I have a 78 cj-7 with a 401, 4 barrell and factory exhaust manifold's with 2 glass pack muffler's. It also has a 4 core radiator, dual oil filters and oil cooler. I put a 180 thermostat in it last winter so I could have hotter heat. Now it's got a 160 thermostat and it still get's warm idling around and four wheeling in low gear. Also, it start's quick when it's cold, but when it get's warm or hot it crank's till the battery is almost dead before it start's. Any idea's?
Hard starting and over heating CJ
- Thread starter big_o_tom
- Start date
82CJ7JEEP
New member
I have the 360 in mine, and my best GUESS is that the starter, wires etc are getting hot being shoehorned in the engine bay. I have to wait for temp to get back to 200 before it will fire. Starts on the first click of the key when cold. I run at 190-200 consistently whether wheeling or highway driving.
