cj7 won't start after distributor swap please help

[GaryMB]

Cherokee speed sensor

I just replaced the hei in my 258 jeep with a rebuilt stock distributor to pass emissions. I started it up, timed it to 9 degrees btdc at roughly 1600 rpm (no tach, so i guestimated), and couldn't start it again. Then i turned it back to tdc and retimed it and it ran fine. I havn't made any changes to it, and now it won't start again. The engine starts to catch, but when i let off the starter it just dies. I tried jumping it. Any ideas?

 

[Sully]

Check all the plug wires and make sure they go to the right spot on the distributor. Make sure they are snug too.

 

[LBR]

RE: Re: YJ-1; Chevy-0

HEI distributors are a handfull at times - I troubleshot the 454 HEI in my 55 Chevy that has sat for more that 2 years - had power to the dist. even when the engine would'nt start, so I knew it was not the ign. switch. Replaced everything inside the dist. with known good used components except the pickup coil and had the same intermittent problem. Problem was then solved. Pickup coil was bad. Sometimes would run, then quit like switch was turned off. Replaced pickup coil, set 360 degree air gap, and been burning rubber since. LBR

 

[LBR]

RE: Readers Rides Help

OOps - just reread - is the replaced dist. an HEI? Could also be a bad ignition switch. LBR

 

[derff96963]

I would guess your timming is off. You can't set the timming at 1600 RPM. Tha factory speck is for like 650 rpm I beleve so that the Cetripetal Advance is not working at that point and with the Vacuum advance plugged. Without doing that you have no reference at all as to what you are even setting it at.

 

[GaryMB]

The sticker under my hood reads 1600 rpm, 9 btc. Well i hooked up an auxiliary tach and timed it pretty darn close to 9 degrees btdc at 1600rpm, this time with the vacuum advance disconnected (oops). It still has trouble starting, but now after about 10 tries of it catching and dying as soon as i let off the starter it stays running.