xj wont start.

84XJMafia01

New Member
Joined
Nov 26, 2013
Location
Jacksonville
I just swapped in a 4.0 i purchased off craigslist into my 98 cherokee classic. I can get it to crank but it will not start. Its getting fuel and spark. Ive checked the timing and all the connections. When cranking it pops out of throttle body. I'm all out of ideas to try and fix it. any suggestions?
 
Sounds like the distributor is 180* out.

1- remove #1 plug, stick finger in hole, rotate engine till you feel compression, line up timing mark on harmonic balancer with mark on timing cover. You are now #1 TDC compression stroke (I think you are 180* off)
2- Remove distributor cap, There is a hole on the side of the distributor housing that lines up with a corresponding hole in the vane that rotates through the cam sensor. Stick an 1/8" drill bit through that hole. This will lock the oil pump drive/ cam sensor into place.
3- Turn oil pump (with a flat head screw driver) in the block to approx 10 o'clock and drop the distributor in until it is flush with the block. Reinstall cap.
4- Tighten the 13mm hold down bolt, remove drill bit and fire it up.
 
So i went out and double checked my work. but no cigar. The oil pump was in the 10oclock position and the rotor was in the 5oclock position like it should be. The distributor was sitting properly. all wires are in the right area. anything i might had done wrong there?
 
Are you sure the number one piston is at top dead center? (Checked it by removing plug) prior to installing the distributor. sure sounds like it is not timed correctly. Double checked plug wires to make sure in correct order?
 
Yes I pulled the plug and physically checked it. That's why I'm so clueless as to why it won't start. Im going to do a compression check on it to insure I don't have a stuck valve on it tomorrow.
 
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