4.2 carburetor options (pros and cons)

OldJoe28

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Joined
Jun 13, 2023
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Location
North East Pa
This is on a '87 YJ, 4.2, auto trans. A bit more than 120,000 miles on odometer.
This project isn't done,( no Jeep Project is ever REALLY DONE), but, it's to the point where I can drive it on road.
It now starts, ( I hoping shift gears!!!), stops, and I've moved it @ the yard.
Presently, it's got a newer reman. Carter,( from a Canadian company) on it, ( no feedback solenoid on the back, computer is disconnected).
I KNOW the Carter isn't the BEST choice,( was a Chrysler Tech for more than a few decades)!
( This Jeep WILL NOT be taken off road, drive it @, snow dog on bad days).
No, Fuel injection is outta the question, basic, simple Jeep, I have a HEI to drop in later, and that's it!
What do I gain/ loose by dropping a Webber. ( 32/36), or a MotoCraft on it??
Just wondering if...,.....
Joe
This IS my last Jeep project!, ( no really)!!
 
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I'd go with an Offenhauser intake manifold and a Holley 390cfm 4 barrel carb and get a header. If you 4.0 head-swap you can go with Clifford Performance for the 4 barrel intake and a Banks header, I'd get a 1" space and you can throw a Holley Sniper/MSD Atomic 2 EFI 4 barrel on it. You have options... they make a 2 barrel version too. You can also go with a Weber 36/38 on your stock intake manifold. The 4.2L (258) is just as capable as the 4.0
 
I'd go with an Offenhauser intake manifold and a Holley 390cfm 4 barrel carb and get a header. If you 4.0 head-swap you can go with Clifford Performance for the 4 barrel intake and a Banks header, I'd get a 1" space and you can throw a Holley Sniper/MSD Atomic 2 EFI 4 barrel on it. You have options... they make a 2 barrel version too. You can also go with a Weber 36/38 on your stock intake manifold. The 4.2L (258) is just as capable as the 4.0

Clifford is the only place I personally have been able to find a header for the 258.
 
I'd get the adapter and put a Motorcraft 2100/2150 on there. About as close to fuel injection as you can get with a carb.
 
PO put a Holley on my 89 YJ with 4.2 manual trans. Starts great and runs great/strong since I got it over a year ago. Also had the nutter done. Also going to add the HEI dist when I get to it. All I did was add a cool Holley air cleanter...the PO did a scab job with stock air cleaner housing and faked together vac lines, etc to make it look legit for DEQ smog I guess. I yanked all the crap off immediately and added new air cleaner to clean up the engine bay look. But I have no bad things to say about the Holley setup at all as far as dependability and performance.
 
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Clifford is the only place I personally have been able to find a header for the 258.

I still have a new Pacesetter header kit sitting in my garage for a 258, I think those have been discontinued now. I have to get that listed for sale eventually. If you ever 4.0 head-swap you have more options for the header, in my experience the Banks revolver is the best one out there.