Been there...Done that. But guess what...its not all that bad. You will need a good manual (the Chiltons is good) and you need to also check out the following link....it has some of the best info on the 258 emmissions.

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/258bbd/main.htm

My advice is to start with the simple and known parts...fix one thing at a time. Also, make sure you fix all the vacuum leaks...like the Vapor Canistor, intake manifold (bolts come loose)...etc.

Once you have all that done, then go after the ignition. The Ford Duraspark system it uses as a little to be desired. He HEI is easy to do.

Good Luck.........

John......southern CA
84CJ7,3"lift,32"BFG,4.11's,ARB,Solid Axle's

 

This is what I used to trace the hoses in my '83 CJ-7. What a mess! I have a Haynes book but there is no vac diagram.
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/258bbd/vacuhose.htm
Take your time and you can weed through the miles of hose. Get it working hooked up right before you play with removing parts.
Good Luck.

'83 CJ7 258 i6 31x10.5 3in. lift?

 

I had the same problem as you. I purchased the Haynes, Chilton, Original Service manual, printed out all articles in Off-Road and the old BBS, etc...and still have problems getting my lines right. If I knew where all the lineswent I would setup my laptop and USB video camera in the garage and have a video conference with people who need help. I could probably setup short videos and e-mail them to other people but I don't know enough about the setup. I can fax or scan some of the diagrams from the service manual for you if you'd like. Let me know. Where are you located?

Good luck

Cinquej@remltd.com

 

I recently installed a Webber 38 deg carbeurator (as in 15 minutes ago I finished tuning it.) I also had the 4.2 with a Carter BBD and a rat's nest of vacume lines and wires. Slowly but surely those wires and lines are getting tossed though. When I pulled out the airbox and put on the snorkel a whole mess of them went. Now with the Carter out of the way a ot more are going. The manual for installing the Weber leaves much to be desired but the customer support is not hard to reach and gives great answers. I had to re-rout some vacume lines that I haven't done away with and to do this I ripped some off the Purge Canister and used them to get the right lengths. What is the line running from the rear of the NP231 to the Purge Cannister for? Its not a vent, that runs from the top of the X-case to the firewall near the rear of the engine with the Tranny vent. Turns out the rear differential vent is near the fuel filler.... I'll be routing them all to the top of the roll-bar soon and change the diff fluids. Soon I'll go through the wiring harness and start eliminating all those disconnected things!

 

Is emmission a problem down in Fl? I haven't removed any of my vac lines because everyone tells me that they do a visual here in NY.

Cinquej@remltd.com