CJ3B in a Box

[MainerOnTTL]

Fuel, pump and Brakes plumbed

[MainerOnTTL]

Peddles, steering column and seats.  Plus tub issues...

[MainerOnTTL]

Good morning Jeep friends, I'm now at the spot that I'd like to get the engine running.  Spark plugs, wires, distributor, everything was in a box and now installed.  I want to verify the Amended information I found on "https://cj3b.info/Tech/DistributorInstall.html".   For my 1964 3B F134, the distributor shaft engagement slot should be synched with the oil pump at 12 o'clock TDC (not 11) and the rotor should be pointing at 6 o'clock for #1 TDC (not 5).  correct?  I have the engine at TDC (compression stroke) for the #1 cylinder and ready to match up the distributor with the oil pump and want to get this right.  The tag is missing from the distributor and it does not have a vacuum advance.  I believe it's an Autolite IAY 4401, but not completely sure.  Thanks in advance, Chris

[Rus Curtis]

When setting up for the first time, the pump goes in and following the Service Manual (SM) the slot should be near 11 o'clock, para E-94.

If you've got your engine already together and you're just sliding a distributor in, then the pump is where it is and you match with the distributor.  Make sure TDC on #1 (I use my finger over the spark plug hole).

Then look at where the rotor on the distributor shaft is pointing.  That's #1 (Mine ended up being 180 out - must've gotten the shaft in backwards).  The distributor doesn't mind, as long as you've got the wires in order for the 1-3-4-2 firing going CCW, Table C-20.

More detail here:
https://cj3b.info/Tech/Timing.html

[derekredmond]

It's probably my fault that I have contradictory information on the two pages without full clarification. Ken supplied the information on the "Distributor Installation" page, which is a correction of what the Service Manual says, for post-1954 Jeeps only. I have full confidence in what Ken says, although I have not had the occasion to test it myself. 

I would love to hear any comments from Rus or others regarding Ken's 12 o'clock / 6 o'clock instructions for post-1954 Jeeps, before I add any clarification on the "Static Timing" page.

Derek

[Rus Curtis]

Derek,
Not an expert here, but I went back and read all that (I had forgotten a lot of it).

https://cj3b.info/Tech/DistributorInstall.html

I have an early Service Manual (SM), SM-1002-R6, and a late SM, SM-1046.  Both describe the "early" setup.  It may be best to hear from Ken but what I think I understand is a later model distributor is anchored slightly different from the earlier models and requires a different clock as noted in the "special note on indexing" concerning the IAD 4041, described as a CJ-5/6 distributor - but a replacement for the CJ3B.  It appears that distributor is off by 36 degrees when compared to the 3B distributor anchor bolt.  Earlier in his text he points out the tooth count on the oil pump and their relative positions so that would indicate a one tooth movement. 

I'd be interested in feedback on my interpretation. 

[letsjeep]

Hi,
rebulding the F-head I acutally run in the 3B (this engine comes from M38A1, Swiss Army - dont know the details, sorry) a few years ago I tried "both positions" (the old one and that one suggested from Ken - it is a one tooth movement regarding the gearing of cam/distributor)) for the distributor. Both are possible but using the position suggested by Ken has two advantages for ma:
1. the screw to attach the distributor is quite in the middle of the bracket which makes it easy to set the ignition to 5 deg BTC but also for another settings (if necessary). Indeed the actual engine runs better with 7 deg. BTC
2. the opening of the oil channel is better reachable for me

I do not know if this was suggested also in a technical builletin from WO.

So I went with the position suggested from Ken. I added two pictures.

Have fun and stay healthy, keep the old flatfenders running.

Bernd

[derekredmond]

Great report from your experience -- thanks Bernd.  And thanks for the photos -- I will use one on the website if that's OK.

Derek

[letsjeep]

Derek, please feel free to use the pictures. If you need more/other let me know. Thanks for keeping the amazing website alive. Bernd

[derekredmond]

Bernd's report added at the bottom of https://cj3b.info/Tech/DistributorInstall.html

And I have added a cautionary note about post-1954 Jeeps to https://cj3b.info/Tech/Timing.html

Derek