damn distributor

[BigBass]

I bought a new distributor for 4 banger from auto zone up in selden and this morning on the way to work the ear that holds it down broke off. Now I have to pull it out find top dead center on the compression stroke and set it right. I called them and they can't ship it to my house and said they probably won't reimburse me for the labor (I told them that it was over my head to fix and had to send it to a mechanic). I fucking pissed about this bull shit.

[gamble3527]

ouch man, that is not how you wanna start off a monday, they werent willing to help at all, maybe you could try to show it was a defect in the part?

[565matt]

If you are friends with anyone who owns a shop, you can have them write up a bill for the instalation. They should comp you for the labor. Bullsh*t way to start a Monday

[BigBass]

The guy, who i presume to be the manager, said they don't normally comp for owner installed parts. I might just get a bill from a friend of mine because there part failed not my install. I just hope i won't have to go about finding TDC and make sure its on the compression stroke. Idk if the whole thing popped out or not.

[BigBass]

Update- the part came in the next day when I went to pick it up they handed me the part and went to the register but it the 2 morons couldn't get it to work right. At the point that I the 1 guy asked another to dial a 1800 number and hand him the phone i walked out with my new distributor in hand. My dad called our mechanic who was suppose to come by wed morning and drop it in but it was raining. So today he picking it up with his flat bed and hes all going to chase down my vacuum leaks too. Hopefully I'll be back in my jeep in time to drive to class tonight.

[BigBass]

Update again- Bad to worse, I picked it up from king auto monday night go to the ambulance for squad come home no problems. Go to head to work the next morning won't start. Billy over at King auto thinks I snapped the timing chain. My dads heading over there today to barrow his compression tester so we can decide where to go from here. Theres no point in putting a new timing chain on a worn out motor. Now he and I are having the motor swap conversation. Has anyone done a 2.5 to 4.0 in a vehicle before they had 4.0s in wrangler before they put the 4.0s in them?

[565matt]

If the timing chain is broken the engine will turn over very easily and quickly. Just crank it and you will hear it spin too fast.

[HuLuD44]

Screw the 4.0... 350!

[BigBass]

Matt- It does crank over easily the only thing that might stop it from cranking fast is the battery is a bit dead especially at this point.

HuLu- The 350 would be a last resort deal depending on cost and wheeling and dealing. I want to try to save some fuel economy. talk of a 4.3 was kicked around. Though if I had my choice a diesel would go in there.

[Pugulis]

You should be able to just drop in the 4.0 (with a new computer) But if your going to be swapping engines. Why not go all the way. Like HuluD44 said, drop in a 350. Or for that matter, any other engine. A non computer engine would be best. I'm partial to a 302 myself, but that's only because I could tear one down in my sleep. But if you wanted something with good HP and good gas milage, an interesting swap might be to put in a Buick (GM) 3.8/3800 motor from the 90's. It would be kind of ironic to do this because this is the same V6 that was in the Jeeps of the late 60's early 70's (they bought the rights to the engine). This was also the same engine used in the Buick Grand National's of the 80's. I had a 3.8L V6 in my 87 Lesabre T-type and it is a great engine. It's power is similar (if not better) to the I6, 165hp and 210 lbs of torque. It gets 20mpg around town and up the 30mpg on the highway (in the Lesabre) If you wanted to get really nuts, you could use the series II (L67) supercharged version of the engine.

[BigBass]

I've thought about those and the 4.3 which I had in my jimmy and loved. That motor had power even with a knock on the way to gershaw. I would really like to go over to diesel but was hoping to push that project off until next winter. Im getting my hands on a compression tester tonight but I'll test it tomorrow, I'm going in to the city tonight. If the compressions good I'll just do a timing chain. If not it drive train swapping time or rebuild time.

[Phreak480]

dont the later I6's have 190hp?

[BigBass]

Another out there idea but has anyone done a 4.2l stroker? Hell I could probably throw twin 2 barrels on it if i chased down the right intake.

[Steve]

You can get a 5.0 mustang/explorer motor for next to nothing too. I don't know if they sell conversion kits but since they already have kits for the ford 8" rears i see no reason why the rest of the parts can't be sourced from a donar car @ a junkyard to make it happen.

I loved the 4.3L in my S-10 Blazer. Parts are dirt cheap on them too which helps.

[WAD357]

whatever you do dont put a carb on it if you plan to wheel! they hate inclines!

[565matt]

If you plan on going with a late model I6 I have most everything to make it work. Engine wiring harness, ECM, Intake manifold, Exhaust manifold. It is good from 96-99. I wouldnt suggest the the 2000-2001. for they have a weak casting for the heads. I should know Ive already gone through 2 of them. .... But as for a different vintyage engine you are good because your jeep is pre 1996 when the emissions inspection went to an OBD-II style. Pre 96 still has to use the dyno with a probe in the tail pipe.

[BigBass]

Getting the wiring hooked up seems a bit over whelming sometimes but it can't be any worse then the hack job thats in the now. Does anyone know what model the 6 speed manuals there putting the newer wranglers are and if they're strong? I know my ax5 would have to go for anything other then a reman 2.5