You're having a bad day when...

... your wife calls and says the CJ won't start. "No problem" I say, "have a friend bring some gas, you probably ran out." No luck. Fast forward to an hour ago and I find there is no spark. Immediately I think, the Pertronix module is fried. So I pop the cap off and turn it over, but no rotor movement!! Now it gets worse, the center shaft of the distributor can be pulled all the way out! Bottom line: timing cover needs to come off because when trying to retrieve the shims from the top of the distro gear, they dropped into the cover . So, that project starts in the am. Hopefully no other damage was done... Over to Krages for all the parts needed for a cover replacement. Anyone got another Delco I can buy? (will post in WTB)

 

That sucks, sorry to hear it.

 

Man bummer.

 

I wish it would take a half hour!! Where did you get the gasket set from? I found some P/N's thru TA Performance, but will also check with my FLAPS in the am. Nice thing about TA is they advertise a neoprene front cover seal as well. Three hours sounds about right, once all the parts are in hand.

 

I've got a gasket and a delco I can send you if'n you're interested. Gasket's a Felpro from Advance Auto...I didn't use it; it came w/ an overhaul kit.

 

i think i got a delco with the engine i picked up last weekend, but it'd be next weekend before i could find out. i've already got a prestolite for my spare, and running hei so it's pretty much just another spare distributor to me.

 

sorry to hear but it sounds like you'll be running in short order.

 

PM'd 'ya...

 

Does not sound fun.

What the heck is a Pertronix module

I'm new to the old points dist, non electronic stuff, bear with me. If it is any consoloation I think its kewl! My jeep is older than I am, and both are older than my wifeR)

 

It's the magnetic pick-up for a kit (mfg by Pertronix) that eliminates the points on a Delco distributor. HTH

Well, I got the cover off and found that the distributor gear press pin had sheared. Don't know why that happened, but it did... Good news is there isn't any other damage to the engine (and the timing chain, rub block and tensioner I installed about 9 years ago are in still great shape!!) Bad news is I remember shimming the distributor shaft (per the instructions) when I installed the Pertronix last year and the shim(s) are no where to be found in the timing cover. Looks like the pan gets dropped after lunch...

 

ohh mannn. sorry to hear. hopefully they are lying there unscathed.... hopin' for you!

 

good luck chris.

 

Thanks, guys. I found the missing shims in the oil pan when I dropped it so that's good. All parts ordered and hopefully I can begin putting it back together this weekend. Since I was removing the cover anyway, I went ahead and ordered a new water and fuel pump and thermostat since each had been on there for at least 10-12 years. I'm still trying to figure out what could have possibly caused the roll-pin to shear. There can't be that much load on it...:?

 

We used to shear them alot on our racing motors , a quick snap would wipe them out exspecially if the gear wasnt real snug on the shaft.

 

In most cases, distributer drive gear shearing is caused by debris in the oil pump. you should think about dropping the pan and inspecting the pick up screen for such things as nylon timing gear pieces or old umbrella seals. These things will clog the screen, causing the bypass to open. Believe it or not, this isn't an uncommon problem.