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134 F ignition issues

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jeeper485, May 24, 2004.

  1. jeeper485

    jeeper485 New Member

    I have a 1952 m38a1 with the 134 F engine. IT currently will not run. It is getting spark to the plugs and it is getting fuel.I have tried changing the carb, plugs and the distributer. I believe that i have the plugs in the right order.It was running prior to me changing the distributer, but just poorly. The old distributer required constand upward pressure on the distributer itself, not the cap, in order to run. I replaced it with one from a different 134 F and replaced the condensor, points, rotor and cap and the only results i get are an occasional backfire. I have tried adjusting the timing through its limits with no results. Sorry for the long post but i am at a complete loss at this point. I just want to make sure that there is nothing obvious that i am overlooking. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
     
    jeeper485, May 24, 2004
    #1
  2. MOP

    MOP Active Member

    Welcome aboard from Kansas. Was the donor F head running? AKA... do you know your new(er) distributer is functional? I am sure you will get good advice momentarily, just not from me.
     
    MOP, May 25, 2004
    #2
  3. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Make sure that the firing order is correct, and that the rotor is pointed to #1 at or about TDC. The distributor rotation is counter-clockwise, so from #1 the order will be 1-3-4-2.

    Having the wires on the cap in the incorrect positions will cause what you are seeing. Be a nice guy and don't ask how I know this! :rofl:

    Is this the original 24volt miltary system with the coil inside the distributor?

    The point gap should be .020 and the plugs at .030
     
    w3srl, May 25, 2004
    #3
  4. jeeper485

    jeeper485 New Member

    it has been converted to 12v by the previous owner
    I have the plugs in the right order i think but i will have to recheck my point gap.
    As for the other engine, i will say it was firing correctly, but it had some bad bearings in the lower end of the engine.
     
    jeeper485, May 25, 2004
    #4
  5. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    When you replaced the distributor I assume you made a note of the position of the rotor and installed the new distributor the same?
     
    Glenn, May 25, 2004
    #5
  6. jeeper485

    jeeper485 New Member

    yes, and it was the same position
     
    jeeper485, May 25, 2004
    #6
  7. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    At TDC, compression stroke, #1 cyl.. the rotor should be pointing at about the 5 o-clock position, if my memory serves me correctly. Is that how yours is?
     
    Glenn, May 25, 2004
    #7
  8. blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    Again ...replace the plugs and try again...

    BTDT.

    I fouled out several sets b/c I could not get the firing order right in my head.....I would read it ...then do the oppsite.
     
    blevisay, May 25, 2004
    #8
  9. jeeper485

    jeeper485 New Member

    I am going to recheck my rotor position and plug wire order today
    In these distributers, can it only go in one way? I thought that it might be 180 out so i tried to turn it but it wouldnt seat all the way in any other position, is this correct?
     
    jeeper485, May 25, 2004
    #9
  10. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Yes one way is correct. The tab on the bottom of the distributor is offset so you can't put it in wrong.
     
    Glenn, May 25, 2004
    #10
  11. 65CJ5

    65CJ5 Member

    Normally it goes in only one way. It is possible however, if you've had it completely apart and pulled the internal centrifugal weights out, that it has been reassembled 180° out. I did that when I recurved my distributor. Took me awhile to figure out what I had done.

    Stan
     
    65CJ5, May 25, 2004
    #11
  12. jeeper485

    jeeper485 New Member

    thanks for all the replies, it was the spark plug wires. They were one off all the way around. Now it runs great
     
    jeeper485, May 25, 2004
    #12
  13. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Good deal! Glad it's running good. ;)
     
    Glenn, May 25, 2004
    #13
  14. fourtrail

    fourtrail Built not Bought

    I found this problem when I changed distibutors from the vacuum advance to mechanical. the tab at the bottom of the shaft was about 45 degrees different. had to move all the wires 1 spot and move the timing to the other end of the adjustment range.
     
    fourtrail, May 27, 2004
    #14