PORT AND POLISH 4.0 HEAD NEW ENGINE

[4.whoa]

I forgot to mention you need to check the style of rotor on a "new" dist. there are 2 styles. when I changed mine I had to get the other one. Autozone pn: 30-4694 $49.99 +$32.00 core. Online I had to look it up as dist but in store they looked it up as cam sensor. If you change it now I'd use the old gear you have now and save the new gear to go with new cam when you stroke it . I made the mistake of using a new gear on a old cam.It was ok for about 200-300 miles then shredded FYI: O'reillys sells dist gears separately, don't remember how much. I know some people have been ok with reusing it, but I wasn't.

[Don H Jr]

Russ: I'll check into Autozone, if we have one in Washington state. Thanks for the tip. Right now I'm persuing small machine shops to see if one will help me rebuild my original, which is thicker and more stout than the "rebuild" I just got from NAPA,that will be returned tomorrow for a refund of my 80 bucks plus the 75 more for core charge. For 130 dealer has rebuild. New $375 from dealer.
I know mine needs bushings/bearings (top has sideplay) and shim washers on bottom to get rid of bunch of end to end play. In the end if I can rebuild my own I can put better bearings/bushings in it most likely. I quit the rebuild route, i thought, lol, when went through 3 waterpumps in a year till I went MOPAR dealership pump; it's still running in there for past 100,000+ miles and doesn't squeal or weap (much unlike my second wife did).
Wish MSD or Accel or Mallory made dist for XJ; I recently baulked with sticker shock at the prices on Billet distributors by them for older XJs. The prices were mid 300s.
Such a problem to solve. Back in the day, my Super Duty 1973 Trans Am 455 car ran great with the dash-2 circle track Crane cam, Mallory Unilite dist, MSD box. Gave me feeling of confidence I don't feel with other ignition systems. I found a way to put MSD on this distributor though. A couple ways to do it, but I like the one with the Ford I6 Stator that makes the MSD think it's a Ford ignition instead of MOPAR/AMC/Chrysler/whatever.
Cheap to think; expensive to act. In the end I'll probably do like always have done; create something out of thin air only the older guys remember how to do.

Thanks for the posts and the big help. The gear suggestion is worth a bunch. You think that was why the Rebuilder wouldn't fit in my block? It was something very small keeping it from dropping in, maybe one or two thousanths; either the gear the way they re machined the darn thing, or the actual dist itself was a couple a thou bigger where it smacked together with block.
I know about the Nov94/after Nov94 distrubutor change I read about. I have large shaft rotor; the other one is smaller shaft and rotor hangs down in back end. Actually, online I see it's the older years that use that style rotor. It's been a fustration in the past with counter drone experiences sending me home with wrong one.
Don Jr
Don Jr

[Don H Jr]

92 Rebuilt Engine: Instead of looking at ground cables and considering tearing up all the engineering on that 4.0 XJ's underhood, why don't you check to see if cam is zero'd in correctly. Pull plugs, have someone on a half inch ratchet/3/4" socket on end of crank dampner bolt twisting clockwise, while you, with dist cap off and one finger in the spark plug hole on number one cylinder closest to front bumper, have him/her stop when you feel compression try to push your finger out of hole.
Look at dist, look at timing marks on dampener and end of block. Can you line all three up almost exactly? If the rotor points slightly past the number one on your cap it's OK. Anything else you got a cam/timing chain/crank gear put on wrong.
Just an idea. Mechanical stuff may be the problem, including valve train OR fuel pressure problems, easily checked; also don't forget Vaccume leaks, easily checked.

Jr Don't forget sensors, especially TPS on Throttle Body, easy to check w voltmeter; MAP sensor tricky too when goes bad. Just some free stuff for you to check on before carbing a beautifully set up MPI system. Then you'll really have trouble. Mechanics isn't for everybody. Most people aren't even interested in our, "Dying Art of the Shade Tree Mechanic".

Jr

[JEEP DRIVER]

WELL, I TOOK THE JEEP TO WORK TODAY RAN VERY WELL (MAN I MISS DRIVEING THIS THING): HAD A LITTLE HESTATION IN THE MORING BUT LOOKS LIKE IT CLEAR UP. KEEPING IT UNDERS 50 M.P.H INTILL THE EVGINE BREAKS IN SAFELY, I HAD OREDER A NEW COIL I GOT THE (SCREAMIN DEMON COMBO) FROM ESSENTIAL COMES WITH THE COIL PLUGS WIRES AND THE ROTOR CAP. SOOOOOOOOOO AM PRAYING THAT WELL TAKES AWAY THE ARCING,LOOKS LIKE THE OLD COIL WAS CRACK AND WAS CAUSEING THE ARCING BUT WE WELL SEE...... YOU KNOW I LOVE MY JEEP IVE HAD IT SINCE HIGH SCHOOL(1992) I ALWAYS WANT TO DO THE THINGS THAT I AM CUERRENTLY DOING TO IT. BUT COULDN'T MONEY WISE. BUT KNOW THAT I CAN I DON'T THINK I AM GOING TO GO MUCH FUTHER PERFORMANCE WISE ON THIS ENGINE, IT SEEM TO MANY PROBELMS COME OUT OF IT WHEN YOU MISS WITH IT, AND TRY TO UP GRADED THE ENGINE. AND IT REALLY IS A SHAME BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS SUCH A POTENTIAL POWER HOUSE. BUT I THINK WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE IS PUT SOME GOOD OLD FASHION DETROIT MUSCLE IN THIS THING V8 STYLE. I KNOW I MAY OFFENED SOME PEP'S HERE I DON'T MEAN TO, JUST PUTTING MY TWO CENST'S IN I AM A BIG FORD GUY I THINK IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE I AM GOING TO PUT A (FORD 5.0 OR A STROKE OUT 330) FUEL INJ. WITH A STAND ALONE SEYTEM. AND AN FX TRANNY. I KNOW ALOT A PEPOLE SAY THIS IS A HIGH DOLLAR WAY TO GO BUT, CONDSDERING SOME OF THE COST OF SOME OF THESE STROKERS AND THE PROBELMS THAT COME WITH SOME OF THESE ENGINES I MAY COME OUT ON TOP WITH A V8 SWAP. BESIDE I KNOW THESE ENGINES A LOT BETTER THAN THE 4.0 OF COURSE IF I DO THIS I AM GOING TO TAKE MY TIME AND ENJOY IT !

[Don H Jr]

JEEP DRIVER: You are still writing in all capital letters, not too cool as I mentioned in my last message to you; also this site is for, "Jeep Strokers," those interested in same. Trouble shooting your XJ may best be done on a site devoted to same; they are everywhere. If you want to put in a carb to fix your running problems, or a V8..give it a shot, it's a free world and you can try anything you want. I caution you if you have trouble keeping a new stock rebuilt 4.0 MPI, then the other routes on an XJ not set up for it will be more than challenging to you.
You may want to consult a tech to get you on the right track before your new engine turns into a money pit. Just one man's opinion. The port and polish certainly isn't your problem in poor running engine. Take a breath. Working on our own rigs isn't for everyone; although everyone tries it anyway...me included.

Jr

[Don H Jr]

Remove the aftermarket MAP sensor right away if you havent already...it's not for your set up and can cause driveability problems.

Jr

[JEEP DRIVER]

WELL, GOT THE NEW COIL WIRES , AND ROTOR LOOKS GOOD NO MORE LIGHT SHOW. FOUND A 4X4 PERFORMANCE SHOP LOCALLY THAT CARRY THE SAME COMBO, EVEN GOT IT $20.00 CHEAPER ONE THING ABOUT THESE 4.0 IN-LINES IT'S EASY TO GET TO THE PLUGS AND WIRES RAN REALLY WILL HAD NO MORE ISSUE STILL KEEP IT UNDER 50 MPH. MAN I VE BEEN READING SOME SCARY STORIES ON THESE ENGINES, BUT I GUESS TO EACH THERE OWN. WLL KNOW THAT THE LIGHT SHOW IS DONE WITH , I THINK I WANT TO GO A HEAD AND PUT A BETTER MUFFLER ON DONT LIKE THIS FLOW MASTER TO MUCH I GUESS WELL SEE. STAY COOL

[Don H Jr]

My COIL was cracked top to bottom in three places; found it a few days ago. Was causing bucking action at cruise. Replaced it with Accel and has improved drivability. Found bad connector on my sp plug wires too.

jr

[SilverXJ]

I really wanted to see a video of the light show.

[JEEP DRIVER]

Didn't mean to disappoint Silver xj i have it on my cell will try to post by this weekend. if I can figure out how to up load from this stupid thing

[4.whoa]

Sorry it took so long, I couldn't find these pics, and that engine is no longer looking the same, and its in another truck.(so no new pics)

blue motor.JPG

[4.whoa]

this one's better

012.jpg

[amcinstaller]

the scoop is pretty cool

[4.whoa]

"That's an attention getta!!" -Sheriff Buford T. Justice

[JEEP DRIVER]

That looks Sick, 4.whoa I love the way the engine looks did you notice a difference in performance wise when you install that hood scoop? I have to ask does the A/C compressor work or is it like mine there because of the serpentine belt It would be nice if they made some kind of A/C compressor "delet kit" like the 5.0 mustang it would really free up alot of room.