I'll take a shot at this since I had a 85 S-10 Blazer with the E2SE carb like the Cherokee. First, I would make sure I had the valves adjusted properly and do a cold compression test to confirm that. Then I would tackle the timing issues and make sure that the balancer indicates TDC when the No. 1 cylinder is at the top of the compression stroke. If it's not you have a slipped balancer or the timing chain has jumped. It sounds like it is a high mileage engine because of the rear main seal leak. Once, done, you can set the timing and know that it's correct. For everything else you are gonna need a Jeep TSM or a GM manual for the same engine. You have an electronic carburetor and a myriad of vacuum hoses. You need to make sure that the hoses are all sound and that they are connected properly. The carb is controlled by the basic GM C4 emissions system computer (ECM). You need to make sure that you have a good oxygen sensor and that there are no leaks into the exhaust system which will make the computer think it is running too lean and then it will richen the mixture. You have a mixture control solenoid in that carb, not a stepper motor, like the AMC systems. The mixture control solenoid function can be tested by procedures in the TSM. It can also be adjusted but you need to know the procedure and it takes a jumper wire and a dwell tachometer to do it. I would also check the ECM to see if it is showing any codes (rich mixture, etc.). The TSM will tell you how to do that. If you work methodically you can sort it all out. Good luck, Joe Fulton Salinas, CA _______________________________________________ AMC-List mailing list AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list or go to http://www.amc-list.com