Distributor Removal or Rotate

Backround:

68 CJ5 V6, 'drove' into garage in the fall (no brakes so was slow).

Rebuilt brakes, front axle, radiator ...

Now will not start. After a search of the archives, my timing seems to be way off. I need to rotate the distributor ~15 degrees. The #1 wire needs to be between 8 and 9 (when viewed from driver side). Currently it is at 10.

Distributer (delco) is unclamped from the timing cover (one bolt and rocker type clamp). I am unable to either rotate the dist, or pull it out to try to reseat. Any suggestions on how to aid the removal, rotation of the dist?

Did not run great before started to work on it, but now does not run at all. I have fuel and spark, appears do not have them together!

 

Try some kind of penetrating oil pb blaster wd-40 etc. There is a rubber O ring at the top of the dist. If you lube it and wiggle it arround you should be able to get it to move. Be careful if it comes out it has to go back in exactly where it came out. Might want to mark where the rotor points on the firewall just in case. Hope this helps.
Steve

 

Need to make sure your at tdc on one see if rotor is pointing one be fore you pull your dist.

 

As long as you do not rotate the motor after you pull the distributer it is not necessary to point the rotor to # 1 @TDC. Mark where the rotor points and reinstall it in exactally the same place.

 

did you loosen the distub hold down clamp?

 

Clamp has been removed.

I soaked it in penetrating oil last night. Will see if it has helped.

My thoughts are it should rotate fairly easily though. Hopefully i can get it rotated.

Would rather not pull out at this time - may replace with hei unit this summer, but now just trying to get the jeep running again.

My thoughts were it ran earlier with very retarded timing (warm weather), and now when it is much colder, will not run with that setting. If the timing is brought back to where it should be, i will have a better chance of getting it going.

Thanks for the suggestions,


Thad

 

The plug wires in relation to the clock doesn't always mean that the timing is off. You need to manualy check the timing. The easiest way is to hook up your timing light and crank the engine. The light will pop every time the #1 cylinder fires.You can also manualy rotate the engine. Pull the plugs and turn the motor using the belts with the key on. Check when the plug wire sparks as the #1 cylinder comes up.
I'm having trouble beliving that bumping the garage has somehow reset the timing to the point where the Jeep won't run.

 

I wanted to make sure it was in time before you pull your dist.