Jeep Strokers

I got my lifters in. The stroker sounds great and runs smooth. well.... mostly.... not really.... (it doesnt tick at all anymore )

As it hits 2000 RPM at any throttle position *except for almost-to totally full throttle* (ie running open loop off the map sensor) it starts oi miss rather badly. So badly that when you're giving it half-throttle under load it bucks you hard as it cuts out and loses power. This gets worse as RPMs climb.

Since its a 97 I pulled codes on to the odometer and I got an 11.

That's "Intermittent loss of either crankshaft or camshaft position sensors" or "no crank reference signal detected at PCM" or "Misfire Adaptive Numerator at limit"

Weird thing is, its running a new distribtor (so new cam sensor) and a brand new CPS. It did this on the old stroker (with old distributor and CPS) too but I thought that was just the engine falling apart....

Anyone have any ideas?

Reindex the distributor. http://www.angelfire.com/my/fan/dist_index.html

That link isn't correct for an OBDII engine, on an OBDII engine you'll need a IIRC a 3/16" dowl/pin (I used a rollpin punch) to index the distributor shaft plate to the housing, with the engine at TDC #1 and the distributor pinned it should drop into place (you'll have to mess with the oil pump a little) with the ears around the hold down bolt hole, it maynot line up exactly with an aftermarket cam.

My '97 Wrangler showed that code also, eventhough it ran well, I replaced the CPS sensor in the bellhousing, no codes since.

I'm almost positive I indexed it correctly. THe first time I tried to start it a few weeks ago it wouldn't even start because I had it 180deg off. IIRC its not exactly where it should be but as close to the five o'clock as I could get it. I set it a tooth off either way and both were wayyyyy off. I'll try the pin. It always seems like you have to start putting it in with the rotor pointing before the five position for it to hit the five once its dropped in.

I also replaced the CPS on the bellhousing as the old one's had hit exhaust at some point and melted.

I saw another thread on here with similar problems, but his was more TPS related and then he did a full reset on his PCM and it fixed it. I did a full reset (ie + to - for 30 sec, key on, headlights on/off, key off) and it didnt change anything. Actually it made it worse because as I was going to a party last night it started backfiring THROUGH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD when ever it was revved off idle. That stopped when I cut the engine and restarted it like the PCM was like "oh sorry about that." As I was leaving the party it did it again and went away as soon as I restarted the Jeep.

EDIT: Just pulled new code, a 42 "Fuel pump relay control circuit: A shorted or open condition detected in the fuel pump relay circuit" I saw the fuel level go full and to zero a couple times, but it used to do that all the time unti I had Jeep perform that recall on it just last summer...

EDITEDIT: Just read a 42 can also be ASD relay but since the fuel gauge was reading funny I think its the fuel pump relay circuit

SilverXJ wrote:Reindex the distributor. http://www.angelfire.com/my/fan/dist_index.html

I used this procedure on my '98 with OBDII and it worked as described (several times.)

I think I'm going to need to cut the ears off my distributor. Anyone know where I can get a cam position sensor clamp from a coil-pack 4.0L?

Cut off the ears of the distributor and rotated the distributor counter-clockwise til where the ear used to be was right over the bolt hole. Worked like a charm!

I have a small washer on the bolt thats holdign the dist. down for now. I don't know if its a good idea to leave it like this, any suggestions?

I also noticed the teeth on the distributor gear had a fair amount of shine in them where contact is made. Normal?

Lastly is it possible to damage the harmonic balancer while cranking the engine to TDC with a ratchet? Since I re-indexed the distributor I've had a really annoying chirping coming from somewhere along the belt....

This is the factory hold down and it works without the ears

I'm sure you can get it at a jy. that shouldn't hurt the balancer,if you only used a ratchet to turn it over.
the gear wear,well it'll have shinny spots from wear, but how bad.....kinda need to see it. if the teeth were sharp,then probibly not so good.

I can't find anywhere online where I can get the camshaft position sensor bracket to hold down my distributor. I don't have the time to drive back to my home town (nearest junkyard) to grab one...

Anyone know where I can pick one up?

any small block chevy hold down works iirc