[oahu jeeper]

You kind Jeepers on the forum walked me through a clutch job on my Jeep so I figured you're the ones to ask about the current problem. Helping a friend from work plug the many oil leaks in her Jeep and discovered that the gasket below the distributor was bad. Replaced the gasket but now am having a hell of a time getting the engine back in proper timing. Any suggestions on the best way to time this thing! I've done the TDC and tried to line up the rotor with the cap placement but I"m thinking there's probably a trick to this to make life a little easier. Thanks.

 

[jokerchief462]

You have to line up the oil pump below with the bottom of the dizzy shaft. A good screwdriver will help. The gears make it go a little bit of a direction. Shine a flashlight in the hole and check the slot that matches bottom of the dizzy shaft. Handcrank to TDC and go fdrom there. Cap may have #1 labeled for you as a reference. Timing is set by ECU on mine at 8 BTDC should be about the same for yours.

 

[jokerchief462]

I know this thread says 4.0 but it is the same process and might get you through

Timing a 4.0L - JeepForum.com

 

[oahu jeeper]

a truly hideously, awful job! Eventually got it figured out after multiple iterations...must've pulled the damn distributor a dozen plus times before finally hitting the sweet spot. Thanks for the advice. Long story short NEVER pull the distributor unless there's absolutely NO other option...Timing these beasts is a whole 'nother world.

 

[oahu jeeper]

Joker, thanks for the info. Although the 2.5 is different and despite what the Haynes manual says it's as much voodoo as mechanics.