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Correct Distributor For An Oddfire?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Billywam, Oct 29, 2018.

  1. Oct 29, 2018
    Billywam

    Billywam Billywam

    Lyons, Colorado
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2005
    Messages:
    139
    I have a 68 dauntless, with engine stamp of 991503 and DPH. I have been chasing down a clattering noise coming from the distributor shaft at higher rpm’s. When I pulled the distributor, I discovered it is a Delco model 1111330, which seems to have even spacing on the cam. When I searched the internet, it seems this distributor is for the Buick 8 cylinder engine on the J-3600 Jeep pickup. When I searched the EarlyCJ5 forums, there was one other person who had the same model distributor on the same 991503. Does anyone have any insight into whether this distributor is appropriate for the oddfire engine? I would like to convert it to a Pertronix, but their site indicates I should use model 1181. 980D4048-C16B-4905-A1B7-40ACAC6EE441.jpeg
     
  2. Oct 29, 2018
    CJ Joe

    CJ Joe Truckhaven Tough!

    Pinon Hills, CA
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2002
    Messages:
    390
    The distributor experts will answer your question, but it appears to me that your mechanical advance is severely worn. I think I see wear on the post on the right and the plates should all be parallel.
     
  3. Oct 29, 2018
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    It appears that someone has used a delco housing from a 327 cu. 1968 jeep V-8 and installed the odd-fire V-6 cam and advance mechanism. Correct dist #for 1968 225 v6 is 1110376. The 225 dauntless dist has a aluminum housing . The one in photo appears to be cast iron. As noted also has some wear issues. I would try to obtain the correct distributer and take it along with the Pertronix kit to a shop with a distributer machine and have it properly setup for your engine.
     
  4. Oct 29, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Guessing the distributor could be a rebuilt/remanufactured unit. The number on the dist. housing when i got my cj was from a buick v8 as well, and the one that is in it now (Cardone unit from RA) also has some number that is for a different application. Its quite possibly that a 68 dauntless would have come with a Prestolite distributor and someone along the way 'upgraded' it to a delco style that was either homebuilt or rebuilt from a supplier. I wouldn't worry too much about the number - just make sure the cam is appropriate for 6 cyl odd-fire engine (un-equal degree 'corners' at the cam lobes) and that the mechanical advance is all functioning. Of course, if you go pertronix (which is what I run now), then wear on the cam lobes will not matter as they aren't used. The mechanical advance mechanism does need to be functional as well as the vacuum advance and you may need to shim the distributor gear just a bit to reduce endplay.
     
    mike starck likes this.
  5. Oct 29, 2018
    Billywam

    Billywam Billywam

    Lyons, Colorado
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2005
    Messages:
    139
    1423A522-B799-4475-B92E-A709A08CCC28.png I am still a little unclear on what the cam lobes should look like. It has three paired surfaces like one in the photo, each seperated by a short gap. All of the angles seem equal and symetrical. I wonder if the Pertronix 1165 will still fit this distributor housing? If not, has anyone used one of these HEI distributors with any success?
     
  6. Oct 29, 2018
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    Volumes written on here about HEI conversion.Personel choice. I like the stock appearance of the Pertronix unit. If you do use the dist. you have you will need to fix the worn advance mech. studs and check to see if you have the correct amount of advance for your 225 dauntless engine. If you go that route do it right and rebuild dist and have it adjusted to specification. Was this dist in the engine and running at some point ? Looks like a oddfire cam lobes from picture ,but like was mentioned not a factor if converting to Pertronix. As a side note I have a correct dist that needs the pins repaired.Anyone have a fix for this.Thinking of making bushings to press over worn pins and then drill out advance weights that are hardened steel. Maybe a tungsten bit.
     
  7. Oct 29, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Sounds correct for an odd-fire cam...I cannot post a pic until I get home to my garage computer where i keep the jeep files. The conversion to pertronix is quite simple - it does require a bit of disassembly of the distributor, but that allows for a good cleaning and check to make sure everything else is functional. I have never run HEI - but as Mike Starck metioned HEI vs pertronix has been discussed ad naseum on the forum. Pertronix requires no additional mods outside of the distributor and setting up firting sequence and #1TDC is the exact same as for traditional points distributor. According to this forum, HEI often requires just a bit of work (minimal grinding and a button head bolt) to make clearance on the intake manifold. Setting up the plug wires on cap is just a bit different (I think), but has also been well documented on the site.
     
  8. Oct 30, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Sorry it took an extra day - here is a photo of an odd fire distributor cam - it has 3 short flats that are each separated by 2 large flats (as you say total of 3 pair of large flats, each pair separated by a short flat. The photo shows the short flat in between 2 large flats. In this case, there is a pertronix ring on the underside of the rotor and the magnetic pick-up mounted on the base plate instead of points.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Oct 30, 2018
    Billywam

    Billywam Billywam

    Lyons, Colorado
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2005
    Messages:
    139
    Thanks for the picture! It appears my cam matches yours, which means my distributor must have been remanufactured using a distributor body from a Buick V8.
     
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