Just got "Willy", My 1953 CJ3B

Hello All,

Through some coincidences and favors i was able to get my hands on a 1954 CJ-3B with the F-Head. The body is in rough shape, but the frame is good and the drivetrain also seems it. Whilst having a VIN number of: 453-GB2 32928, i confirmed my suspicion that this was infact a CJ-3B from 1953 (also because of the Willys-Overland tag), Well, as of right now here is where she sits. Rebuilt starter (do they all whine and clack when trying to start up?) new cap, rotor, good coil, plugs/wires. I connected the (+) to its respective side of the coil, and the negative was to connected to the distributor post on the side (i assume this is correct). Then me and my dad cranked it over and felt for a spark, but nothing. Any ideas on why we don't have spark coming from the coil wire to the cap?

 

Cam, I would suspect the points as Steve mentioned.

 

thanks guys, i'm gonna check the points tomorrow, however i gotta be careful that i dont ignore my willys wagon in the process! lol

 

Pics or ban!

 

they'll come, of what though, the Maverick Special or the 3B?

 

Update: well i cleaned out the points and checked everything (thanks posimoto) and got her to fire up, ridiculously off time i might add. how the heck do ya rotate the distrib? also, does the starter usually wratch and whine and grind? i think the voltage is getting low so the bendix isn;t coming out right. anyways, it ran for about 5 seconds so there is hope!

 

there is clamp under the distributer. loosen it up and turn it either direction until the timing mark on the crank pulley is in the right spot by using a timing light. I think you need to go to 5° before zero. Your distributer might be frozen into the block so use a little penetrating oil.

As for the starter, I have no clue. Maybe someone else will chime in. I just use 12 volt on my 6 volt and have had no problems.

 

UPDATE: Hello guys,

well tonight was filled with happiness as i finally got her running respectably! i had it running off of a poland springs bottle full of gas. she runs beautifully! i loosened up the clamp on the distributor and tried to turn it as hard as i could, but no luck?!?!? i will PB it tonight and see what tomorrow brings. Oil pressure was right on no issues! the timing is off because it has trouble starting, and also it lags when you "snap" the throttle. now to do with the generator, there aRE 3 wires coming out, the one farthest forward that sits alone, where does that one go? hopefully i can time it tomorrow and get it starting well, but my the looks of the engine (and the sounds) it seems to be pretty good as far as running.

tHANKS!

 

UPDATE AGAIN: Well with the help of PB and a screwdriver and hammer i was able to move the distributor! i got it kinda where it needs to be and all is goo.....kinda..... so first thing: the starter will crank over sometimes, yet others it makes it seem like there are teeth missing (which there arent, i;ve checked). what's the deal? secondly, i can;t seem to find the sweet spot for the engine. i got it so it's no longer popping and snorting out of the carb, but it;s still not firing w/o gas down carb. oh and the fuel pump is working,,,,,,dirty carb you think? well at least its got some sort of go go now. you think running some sort of 12V battery JUST for the starter?

 

could the timing chain/gears be off from a rebuild years ago? If it ever was rebuilt.

could the plug wires be swapped around? probably more likely than said above^.

 

you want the timing at the point that it wants to kick back when starting. at that point, turn it ever so slightly in the opposite direction, and lock er down. For one of my Jeeps when i checked it it was 3 degrees or so advance. I also got a little better pep going down the road compared to the 5 BTDC setting.

 

:toetap:

 

when I set my timing at 5° the engine sounded like crap. I think it is set at around 7 or so and still has plenty of grunt.