Jeep Strokers

Sounds like your distributer needs indexed. Put #1 piston at TDC on compression stroke. Insert a tooth pick from the body of the distributor through the inner rotating part. Install the distributor with the wires pointing backwards and the oil pump slot should be pointing to about 11:00. Tighten down the distributor, then remove the toothpick. I think someone posted how to do this with pictures.

Thanks you two.

It's a 96 XJ. Everything worked when I pulled the engine a week ago.

I haven't checked the fuel pressure. I need to get a gauge tomorrow.

Still not sure I have the distributor indexed properly, like you said. I'll try the toothpick trick tomorrow after I get off work.

Do you have coil packs or spark plug wires? The Way I posted was for the later style with coil packs. I'll check the manual to see what it says for a 1996.

Bodo, sent you a PM.

It doesn't have the coil on plug. Just the old fashioned distributer.

IT'S ALIVE!!!!!

dwg86: The instructions worked exactly like they were supposed to.
I had it 180 off the first time. After we figured that out, it started right off. (or busted right off as the say down here.)
Just got through breaking in the cam. Had to stop once to fix a clamp on the lower radiator hose. Went well.

Going to let it cool down then I'll change the oil and filter and take her on the road.

good I'm glad you got it running.

Gotta get to an exhaust shop soon. My new exhaust is rubbing on my front drive shaft when he axle stuffs.

Man, that shop floor has got a nice, clean finish on it (degree wheel picts). Engine looks great too! How's that Lunati 01 cam working out for you so far (might be too early to ask)?

Lunati was jerking me around. So, I canceled my order. I went with the comp 68-231-4 instead.

Idle is smooth and low end power is nice. I haven't really stretched its legs yet. Going to get a few more easy miles on it first.

Bodo wrote:
Lunati was jerking me around. So, I canceled my order. I went with the comp 68-231-4 instead.

Oh yea my bad, I see it on pg 2 (was looking at the 1st pg).

Bodo wrote:
Idle is smooth and low end power is nice.

How do you compare the stroker to the old 4.0l so far?

Bodo wrote:
I haven't really stretched its legs yet. Going to get a few more easy miles on it first.

I here ya. When you do it yourself it's not like it has alot of test stand/dyno time on it already like a crate engine.

100 mile update:

Changed the oil over the valvoline NSL Racing 10-30. Added ZDDP additive.

Valve train is a little noisy, but engine performance is nice. Hoping that valve train will calm down as time goes on. If not, no biggie. It's no worse than the old one was.

The Rotella T6 5W-40 Synthetic (from wally world) with the Motorcraft FL-1A filter (also from wal-mart) have quieted my valvetrain down significantly... I highly suggest you give it a shot after you are confident your break in is mostly complete.

OK. This is why I keep notes.

It's a 68-232-4 cam.

The valvetrain noise was bugging me so I pulled the valve cover this afternoon. Everything looks fine. I went ahead and gave each rocker bolt another 1/16th turn and put her back together. I started it back up and there was a marked difference!
Maybe that .001 or so made the difference?

Noticed that the header might be leaking a little at the back. I can't swear to it though. Too many new sounds at once with a new motor and header and intake different than the old one...