Need help Distributor/timing/crank questions

[tcervinsky]

I need help from a knowledgable group thats done some extensive work on the internals of the Jeep 4.0L. I've posted on some other forums and I'm not getting much of a response, I think because people really don't know the true answer.

I'm building my motor myself while referring to a shop manual I purchased many years ago. Looks like a legit manual with very detailed descriptions. When installing the timing gear set it say to line up the dot on the crank gear with the dot on the cam gear on the compression stroke of #1 cylinder. While this seems pretty easy, the manual goes on to say that with the dot on the cam in the 3 o'clock position there should be 15 pins on the chain between the two dots. Well, there are 24 teeth on the crank gear and 48 on the cam gear, I've tried several times and can't get 15 pins between the two. When I installed the HB and tried to install the distributor I can't get the mounting tab to line up with the mount on the block- its either just before the bolt hole or just after it. With the dizzy lined up with the mounting hole the HB timing mark is at 20* BTDC. With 24 teeth on the crank gear would mean that each tooth is 15*, so maybe I'm one tooth off. Problem is the dots lined up perfectly when I installed the time set.

My goal is the be absolutely sure the valve timing is in the correct position in regards to the crank and have the dizzy fit like it should. Am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions? Keep in mind that I'm not just trying to install the dizzy. Lining up the distributor with the crank on compression stroke is only half the game, I need to be sure the valves are lined up correctly too. I saw mentioned somewhere on line that there is only suppose to be 48 pins on the chain, mine has 64.

[SilverXJ]

Ignore that pins on the chain nonsense. It only works for certain timing chains, like the stock one. Line it up dot to dot and check it with a degree wheel or just go with it if you don't have one. Different sets will have a different number of pins and links.

As for the distributor you may have to break off one of the ears to get it to align correctly. See here: http://www.angelfire.com/my/fan/dist_index.html

[Cheromaniac]

Ignore that pins on the chain nonsense. It only works for certain timing chains, like the stock one. Line it up dot to dot

What he said. Just line the sprockets up dot to dot with the no.1 piston at TDC at the end of the compression stroke.