New Jeep Owner Needs Help

[phinleft]

I just purchased a 76 CJ5. Everything is stock except what appears to be an aftermarket distributor. It started and ran, but idled rough, and killed when coming to a stop. I tried to do the following minor stuff in hopes of curing the killing problem. After I completed the following, it turns over, but will not start now. I am very frustrated. Any suggestions?

- changed the positive battery cable because the terminal had cracked, and was hanging on
-changed the battery because the original one was bad
-changed all plugs and lines (plugs were gapped as specified 33-37), left all the lines in the same order
-Changed the seals on the carter 1bbl carb as they were cracked and crumbling - followed all instructions from carb kit, and did it carefully.
-checked the terminals on the distributor cap to make sure they were clean - didn't touch any other parts of distributor

After all of this was done, it turns over, but won't start. I am a novice to the timing, and don't know what to look for. Could that be it? Any help would be appreciated. getting very frustrated.

[dslywalker]

It'll help if you fill out your profile.Engine size/trany and transfer cases.Front and rear differental.
Do you have any spark at the coil wire or gas going in the carb,The carb would be my first guess since you worked on it.Unless something went wrong when you opened the distributor.Did you put the coil wire all the way in or it could be cracked inside.Try those things first Gas to Carb Spark on the coil wire when turning over.
Mike
Welcome to the site

[priceg]

Hello,I am a new jeep guy also. You need to back up a little bit and find the source of the problem before you start throwing parts on it. If you check the basics, you will discover your problem. 1,Fuel pressure. A 4.2 should have 4-5psi at idle and flow 1 pint in 30 seconds at idle. 2,ignition. Do you have pulse at spark plug? 3,timing, with number one cylinder at tdc on compression stroke, are both valves closed? 4,compression, a 4.2 needs between 120-150psi to run. These are the minimum specs your engine has to have to run. Once you establish what is missing, we can help you better diagnose your no start condition. I hope this helps, price g.

[phinleft]

Thanks Mike, I will look into that. What is the best way to find all of the info to fill out my profile? New to jeeps, and not sure where to find engine, etc info on a 76 CJ5.

[phinleft]

Price,
Thanks for the technical info to check. I will diagnose your suggestions. I had it running, and put a tune up kit and carb kit to try and correct the rough running. The plugs and lines hadn't been replaced in years according to the previous owner. I guess this is what I get for trying to make some improvements to the maintenance after buying.

[Trapshooter]

phinleft.......have you tried pulling a plug and watch while someone cranks the engine to see if there is a spark?

Just pull a plug, short it to ground, crank engine, check for spark, its a quick and dirty check. If you do have a spark you can focus your efforts elsewhere.

The other thing that you can do is post a picture of your engine. You need to open an account at photobucket.com and upload your pictures to your account. Copy and paste the .img file into your post and the picture will load. We will be able to see just what you are working with.

Welcome to the wonderful and rewarding world of Jeep CJs!!

Hope this helps........

[priceg]

Sounds like you are headed in the right direction. Once you determine what is missing, fuel, ignition, timing, or compression, you can check each component in that system untill you discover your problem. Remember, if you build a base line of tangible values, you will be able to plan for future repairs on weaker systems. Clear as mud?

[BajaEdition]

has either of you read the article
what to do after getting that CJ home
it is a basic article about getting the CJ ready for the road/dirt
follow it to get the CJ ready for modern service

[phinleft]

Baja, thanks for that article. That is why I joined this forum. Thank you to everyone for the help. I have solved the problem and got it running great. Turns out the only thing that I didn't change or touch was the choke. The coil in the choke was badly warped. Changed it, and set the rich/lean setting while running it in the neighborhood, and it runs great. On to make the headlights and brake light work, so I can get it inspected and road worthy.

Thanks again to everyone!

[priceg]

Originally Posted by BajaEdition has either of you read the article what to do after getting that CJ home it is a basic article about getting the CJ ready for the road/dirt follow it to get the CJ ready for modern service

I have read it and thought it was very informative. Have you authored any articles I need to read?