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distributor question

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by mel, Aug 6, 2009.

  1. Aug 6, 2009
    mel

    mel New Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2007
    Messages:
    44
    Does anyone know if the distributor caps on the MB's are the same size as on the cj2 & 3's. I picked up an MB cap which I was told would fit my CJ3, but its a touch too large, not really too sure if my dizzy is original or not, but I'm having a job finding a cap that will fit it here in UK. Plan b is to fit a complete MB dizzy, but they are damn expensive and hard to find over here.
     
  2. Aug 6, 2009
    LarryD

    LarryD Member

    Gallup NM/ 4 Corners
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    Jul 7, 2006
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    637
  3. Aug 6, 2009
    mdbeck1

    mdbeck1 55 Willys CJ5

    Oklahoma
    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2008
    Messages:
    201
    I had a similar problem (finding the right parts). I went to one of the "old time" parts stores here and after a couple of tries got the right parts. It turned out mine were listed as tractor points, condensor, and cap.

    Later I found out that the bushings were gone on the distributor. Since I couldn't find the bushings I just bought an electronic one (http://www.walcks4wd.com/product.aspx?pid=1636).
     
  4. Aug 7, 2009
    mel

    mel New Member

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    May 29, 2007
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    Thanks guys, another problem with the dizzy fitted is there are no markings on it, I hunted for markings two years ago and found nothing and now the times come for a new cap. If I can find out for sure that early CJ's are not the same as MB's then it gives me something to hunt for, thats assuming its an original CJ part, which would be a first I guess!.

    I sometimes think this ol jeep of mine was made from left over parts bin stuff, Johnny Cash did a song once called 'One Piece At A Time' and I'm sure it was about my jeep:)
     
  5. Aug 7, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    There are essentially two distributor types for the L- and F-head engines, one has the tiny rotor and the other has the longer "whale tail" rotor. Any good parts store will have a catalog with pics that you can match it up with.

    Do the clips hold the cap down by clamping the bottom edge of the cap, or do they clamp higher up near the plug wire towers? The early model (roughly '41 to '57) clips up high whiel the later one ('58 - '71) clips down low.

    Early model:http://www.jeepdoc.com/catalog/partframe.asp?id=2174

    Uses "whale-tail" rotor

    [​IMG]

    Late model: http://www.jeepdoc.com/catalog/partframe.asp?id=2165

    Uses "small rotor"

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Aug 7, 2009
    mel

    mel New Member

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    May 29, 2007
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    Steve, the clips on mine clamp down on the bottom edge of the cap and the rotor is pear shaped, the coil feed (from dizzy to rotor) is not spring loaded in the cap which from memory I think the MB ones are, my rotor just has the basic pick up that you can bend up to make contact with coil in feed. From what I can make out the year of the motor is a 55, 2200cc flathead. See I told you it was a parts bin build:?, it spent most of its life in Indonesia before being shipped to UK, so god only knows what those guys got up to with it :rofl: you guys are my only hope because there's not such a strong following here for early CJ's as there is for MB's, GPW,s & Hotchkiss models.
     
  7. Aug 8, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    You have the "late" distributor Mel. Ask for parts from a '58 to '71 F-Head.
     
  8. Aug 8, 2009
    mel

    mel New Member

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    May 29, 2007
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    THANKS, much appreciated Steve.
     
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