Can't get the timing back on 77 cj5

Hey guys, sure could use some help on this one. I have followed the haynes directions on installing a new distributor but have been unsuccessful. This is what I did so far. I pulled the spark plug out of the #1 closest to the crank. I had the engine turned over until I felt compression. I then proceeded to move the crank until it was lined up on 8' TDC. I then put the distributor in and lined up the rotor pointing toward the #1 spark plug. I placed the #1 of the distributor cap over the rotor and went to start the engine and no luck. It will turn over and does some kind of a purge out the carb. I have tried it again and still no luck. I am feeling I may have to put it in shop. Does anyone have any ideas on what to try next. Thanks, T.

 

I am no expert, in fact you should probably ignore my post, but it seems strange to move your crank after you have found tdc. The approach that I use is to bring the crank to tdc on cyl #1, put the cap on the dist and mark on the dist where the post for the ignition wire for cylinder #1 would be with an indelible marker, align the dist with the previous orientation and turn it counterclockwise (cant remember if it was counter' or clockwise) about one cog (recall that the gears will force the dist to spin as they mesh), now attempt to install the dist. If everything lines up ok it the dist should slip in and have the rotor align with the mark you made for ign wire #1. Now check to make sure that all your other wires go to the correct cylinders. Now try to start the Jeep. If this fails I usually start looking for other problems, i.e. a bad coil, or, in your case a bad ignition module cause I think yours has a duraspark.

Karl

 

what iamgeer says
TDC is top dead center, not 8* before
otherwise, your 8* off to begin with, or about 1 tooth
align your marks at TDC and try again
that's what I would do

 

If you are uncertain weather you are on the top of the compression or the t0p of the exhaust stroke, remove your valve cover and wiggle your rocker arms for #1 Cyl at TDC of your compression stroke both rockers should have no tension on them and be slightly loose so they will move. if one of them will not move with finger pressure, you are probably at the top of the wrong stroke.

 

when i put my 258 back together after having it rebuilt, I swore I had it set at TOD on the compression stroke. Turns out it was 180* off and was in the exhaust stroke. I had the same symptoms, it sounded like it would try to fire and blow back through the Throttle body. I just swapped the opposing plug wires on the distributer and bang it fired right up. Then I just set the timing using standard methods.

 

As stated above, it sounds like you are 8 degrees off to start with. I'd go to TDC, put the distributor in on #1. It should start. Then move your timing to the 8 degrees BTDC(?).

 

Thanks guys for all the feedback! I havn't had a chance to try it again. But I will let all of you know as soon I getting going and what I found. Thanks again! talk to you soon.

 

180* off would be my guess as well (usually happens to me). Try it again and let us know.

 

Well, thanks guy for the input! I was able to get the jeep running again. By following the instructions it started and ran for about five minutes until......the dist or the cam locked up spinning the dist around again and braking some of the teeth off. So...looks like I'm going to have to rebuild the engine. Thanks for all your help keep you updated. T. Atanta GA.

 

Yuck, what a pain.. The dist gear is direct driven off the cam and also drives the oil pump. Wonder if the oil pump seized up? Its the only thing I can think of that would cause the distibutor shaft to bind enough to strip teeth off the drive gear.