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Distributor Confusion

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by nolehynaws, Jan 19, 2020.

  1. Jan 19, 2020
    nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    Indiana
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    Sep 4, 2018
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    77
    Hello! I’ve been looking at the distributor in my cj5 with the F-134, and I found something that puzzled me. I just got new spark plug wires, and just took the old ones our without seeing where they were plugged in to on both ends. I installed new wires using the factory service manual, and after that it wouldn’t start. I took off the distributor cap and set the engine to TDC (top of piston 1 visible through spark plug hole and timing lines aligned), and the distributor rotor is facing the top right (3 I believe) instead of the bottom right (1) at “the 5 o clock position” like it is in the service manual. My guess is that whoever did this before just put the wire leading to cylinder 1 in the 3 hole in the distributor, and so on (I have no idea if this would even work but it’s a guess.) My question is, would there be any negative affect to setting it like that if it works? Also, I plan to fix it anyway, so how to I get that rotor facing the 5 o clock position? Thanks for the help!
     
  2. Jan 19, 2020
    wasillashack

    wasillashack Member

    Wasilla, Alaska
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
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    268
    To get the rotor to match the FSM, you will have to pull the distributor, turn the rotor 180 degrees and re insert. Wire per FSM. OR wire it the way it was and not worry about it, no issues that I am aware of. The only engine that requires a specific stating point wiring sequence is the odd fire V6 (Dauntless) Good luck!
     
  3. Jan 19, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It's not just a question of it being 180 degrees off, it's less than 180. You'll have to remove the oil pump, rotate the shaft and line it up per the manual, and reinstall it. First thing though is to locate your top dead center as you did previously and pull the distributor, looking down in the hole you will see the end of the oil pump. Note the position of the slot and compare it to what the FSM shows.
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  4. Jan 19, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
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    Dec 27, 2013
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    I ran into the same problem and just like Glenn said, start from scratch and get it done. It's kind of a pain if you have to lower the pump to align the shaft, but sounds harder then it actually is.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  5. Jan 19, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Yeah, it's not difficult, just a bit of a pain.
     
  6. Jan 19, 2020
    nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    Indiana
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    Do you think this is worth doing, or should I just wire it how it was?
     
  7. Jan 19, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It's only worth doing if you feel it needs to be done. It's not hard to do, but not necessary since you know it runs as is. If you're concerned about getting it right just correct it some day when you have more experience and confidence in what you're doing.
     
    Focker likes this.
  8. Jan 19, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
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    Dec 27, 2013
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    When I did mine, I actually had the motor out for a spun main bearing and ended up doing it then on the engine stand. But actually did it about 10 years ago while it was still in the B. Worst part of doing it in the engine bay, is having greasy grimey gunk in the way. Clean the area good before doing it. You only have to drop it down a tad to move the gear to the right spot, so the distributor slot is in the right spot. I also think the slot is offset slightly. There are tons of videos out there.
     
  9. Jan 19, 2020
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    When you brought the cylinder to the top with the mark on dead center are you sure you were on compression stroke?
     
  10. Jan 19, 2020
    nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    Indiana
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    The timing marks were aligned, so I think so??
     
  11. Jan 19, 2020
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Nope the crank makes 2 turns to one of the dist. The crank timing mark will line up once for exhaust stroke and and again for compression stroke.
     
  12. Jan 19, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It can't hurt to check it again. Have you actually started it yet with the wires in the different position?
     
  13. Jan 19, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Key factor is that it wouldn't start with the wires in the factory correct position.
     
  14. Jan 20, 2020
    nolehynaws

    nolehynaws Member

    Indiana
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    No, I haven’t yet. I’m probably just going to put it back to how it was and see if it’ll start if it doesn’t make a difference! I do want to change it eventually though because that’s pretty annoying.
     
  15. Jan 20, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    If you're not sure you had it TDC on the compression stroke I suggest going through the trouble to verify that it was. That'll save some aggravation in case it still won't start. I originally thought you were positive it was correct.
     
  16. Jan 25, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
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    It's easy to figure the right stroke. Remove the valve cover, watch the intake valve on number one cylinder. When the intake valve goes up and just before it comes back to the closed position, look down at your timing makes. They should be very close to matching exactly. That's the proper mark. If you have a question to which is intake valve, just look at the exhaust port, manifold, that is exhaust valve, the intake will be the other valve.
     
  17. Jan 29, 2020
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Intake valves only are under the valve cover on the F4 engine.
    Exhaust valves are in the block.
     
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